The coolant in the reservoir is leaking and engine overheating?

Tiny
RACHEL GIBSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2020 CHEVROLET TRAX
  • 6 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Can't keep coolant in reservoir it is leaking and overheating my questions is, it's a week until payday and I need to go get my husband from work an hour away can I drive it and if it overheats runs out of coolant before I get there can I put water in it for the trip and back?
Thursday, May 25th, 2023 AT 9:54 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

I attached a pic below to make sure I have the correct one. Confirm that for me.

Also, this should have a 1.4L turbocharged engine. You don't want to overheat this engine. I don't know how quickly it is losing coolant, but the engine is aluminum and can be damaged if it gets hot enough. It would be safe to run just water temporarily but replace it with Dexcool when possible. Don't mix other coolants with Dexcool unless it is indicated as a universal coolant compatible with DexCool.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, May 25th, 2023 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
RACHEL GIBSON
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Yes, I think so it looks like it. I filled the coolant to the fill line and went to the store 5 minutes down the road. It sat for 3 hours before I drove it again.1st put is how much I lost with the 10 min drive and sitting for 3 hours. Then I topped it back offhand and drove an hour away to pick my husband up. Sat as his work for about 20 min then drove the hour home. The 2nd pic is what bit looked like when I got home. I've not ket UT overheating except the first time it did. Now that I'm aware of the problem I haven't been driving it or if I do I stop and check it ever so often. One more question, should I put stop leak in it? Thank you for your time.
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Friday, May 26th, 2023 AT 7:24 AM
Tiny
RACHEL GIBSON
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Oh yeah, I just guessed the mileage, do you need the correct number?
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Friday, May 26th, 2023 AT 7:25 AM
Tiny
RACHEL GIBSON
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
The correct mileage is 73,811.
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Friday, May 26th, 2023 AT 12:28 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

I'm glad you made it without issue to pick up your husband. As far as the stop leak is concerned, if the leak is in the reservoir, it won't work. Also, there is a chance you will cause a new issue. I've seen stop leak cause a blockage in a lot of vehicles over the years. If possible, stay away from it.

It's interesting that the fluid loss wasn't that much different when comparing the drive time. It is the reservoir that is leaking, correct?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, May 26th, 2023 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
RACHEL GIBSON
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
No sir. The reservoir is working properly. It is leaking coolant on passenger side near tire. I took a 30 min drive yesterday with A/C on a lot of sitting at red-light and it was halfway gone when I got home. It seems to leak out more when A/C is on.
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Saturday, May 27th, 2023 AT 7:36 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

Is it possible for you to take a pic of the area where the leak is located? Hopefully, I'll be able to identify where it's coming from.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, May 28th, 2023 AT 1:11 AM
Tiny
RACHEL GIBSON
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I'm sorry I can barely see it laying flat on the ground. The car is low to ground.
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Sunday, May 28th, 2023 AT 6:21 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
No problem. Since it is on the passenger side, my first suspect is the water pump or the radiator hose.

I attached a pic below showing the pump. Take a look in that area to see if anything is wet.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Sunday, May 28th, 2023 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
RACHEL GIBSON
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I was able to get pictures this evening and drove 1 hour away to pick up my husband. I stopped about 30 minutes in, and it was almost empty. So, it's leaking more now, and I can actually see it but it's hard to tell from where cause several places are wet and dripping so not for sure where it's leaking and where it's just getting dripped on. My camera is bad plus I had no idea what I was taking pics of. I hope this helps. And thank you.
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Monday, May 29th, 2023 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Your pics are fine. Based on what I am seeing, I suspect either one of the hoses is leaking or the water pump. I copied one if your pics and have an arrow pointing to where I want you to check.

Also, at this point, I would dry everything off and pressure test the system while it is cold. That will give you a chance to check without being burned by the engine.

Here is a link that explains how to pressure test a cooling system:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

You will need a pressure tester, but most parts stores will lend one to you. Try this and let me know what is found.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 AT 8:44 PM
Tiny
RACHEL GIBSON
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you for your time. I will Dallas around to get the tool. I did not receive any pics with arrows on it.
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Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 AT 5:29 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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You are very welcome. Let me know if I can help. If you have other questions, let me know that as well.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 AT 9:26 PM

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