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One morning I saw coolant under my vehicle but didn't have to check it out and didn't think it belonged to my car. I noticed the heater wasn't working properly and the engine heated up very faster than normal even though it was around freezing ambient. I looked in the bay and found leaks around this metal attachment to the hose [see pics in attachment].
They said they had to do a pressure test to see where exactly is the leak.
What I am curious about is are the hoses and radiator included in the warranty? And I am curious where the leak might be coming from.
In the 2nd photo, the hose that is circled is A/C line that carries freon (not coolant). The "wetness" around the crimp is the oil weeping out that is used to lubricate the AC system. So in addition to the coolant leak, there is a freon leak. For the coolant leak check all hose connections. Leaks usually but not always leave a tell-tale stain. Also check the water pump weep hole. If there are stains or wetness there the seal is going and the pump needs replacement. Has the coolant level been checked?
What was the original factory warranty coverage? Until a month ago, I haven't owned a GM product in 20 years so I am unfamiliar with what Chevrolet's factory warranty coverage has been through the years. Do you have an extended warranty from Chevrolet or a third party? Even if you have coverage the hoses may be considered wear items, but I don't know for sure.
In the 2nd photo, the hose that is circled is A/C line that carries freon (not coolant). The "wetness" around the crimp is the oil weeping out that is used to lubricate the AC system. So in addition to the coolant leak, there is a freon leak. For the coolant leak check all hose connections. Leaks usually but not always leave a tell-tale stain. Also check the water pump weep hole. If there are stains or wetness there the seal is going and the pump needs replacement. Has the coolant level been checked?
What was the original factory warranty coverage? Until a month ago, I haven't owned a GM product in 20 years so I am unfamiliar with what Chevrolet's factory warranty coverage has been through the years. Do you have an extended warranty from Chevrolet or a third party? Even if you have coverage the hoses may be considered wear items, but I don't know for sure.
It was a red color leak, is the freon lubricant red? Maybe the coolant was leaking onto the a/c line [I thought the a/c lubricant was embedded into the freon]...? Maybe somewhere around the radiator was leaking?
Yeah the coolant was incredibly lower than it should be but not empty and there was a red fluid under my car on the ground, I had to buy a bottle to top it up. And also the cabin heat was blowing cold air with the temperature setting in the red even though the engine was warmed up according to the gauge, and the fan was running alot even though it was around 32 degrees (the A/C switch was off)
From my understanding the water pump is under warranty but the radiator and hoses are not, according to the service agent.
For a follow up, It's been 5 days now and after the top up I haven't noticed anymore leaks or drop in the level. I've never seen that before though so it is kind of worrying, should I still proceed with the pressure test?
Last edited by cruze_lova; Jan 13, 2019 at 9:08 PM.
Not sure what color the coolant should be and I don't think the oil in the freon has a color. I've owned MoPar's for the past 30 years which use a different coolant (Zerex G05 - it's a peach color) and just recently purchased a 2014 Equinox as a replacement for our Journey that my wife totaled after spinning on black ice. It could be coolant that somehow got on the AC hose. If you don't have heat after topping off the coolant I would suspect a blend door issue or maybe a clogged or partially clogged heater core. It's possible a flush will alleviate the clog.
The only color used in an A/C system is green, if any. You can add it to your A/;C system, but I am guessing thats orange 5 year coolant on that hose.I'd hose it off with brake cleaner to get any oil off then hose it down with water. Let it dry, then, warm up vehicle to see exactly where this leak is. Everything else is speculation right now.
The temperature issue was only that one time around when I noticed the leak. Ever since it stopped leaking I don't have the temperature/heater problem anymore, since the heater uses the coolant to distribute heat.
I should wash it off to establish a baseline again, thanks for that suggestion. But since then I haven't seen any new coolant anywhere and it hasn't changed in size, shape or location. I will clean it off though.
The temperature issue was only that one time around when I noticed the leak. Ever since it stopped leaking I don't have the temperature/heater problem anymore, since the heater uses the coolant to distribute heat.
I should wash it off to establish a baseline again, thanks for that suggestion. But since then I haven't seen any new coolant anywhere and it hasn't changed in size, shape or location. I will clean it off though.
Where is the water pump weep hole?
Is overflow or too much overflow a possibility?
The water pump weep hole should be on the bottom portion of the water pump housing At least it is on every vehicle I have worked on. You might place some cardboard down
under the car after its been warmed up so that you can identify exactly where this leak is coming from.
It happened again. Believe it or not it hasn't happened before now since that last time 2 months ago. Now, the only pattern I can see is; It's brought up to operating temperature, then left to cool off when it's cold to frigid (low 30-20's or lower). It's definitely coming from the back right side of the engine......
........It was just the belt spinning it and making it land on the AC line
It was a red color leak, is the freon lubricant red? Maybe the coolant was leaking onto the a/c line [I thought the a/c lubricant was embedded into the freon]...? Maybe somewhere around the radiator was leaking?
Yeah the coolant was incredibly lower than it should be but not empty and there was a red fluid under my car on the ground, I had to buy a bottle to top it up. And also the cabin heat was blowing cold air with the temperature setting in the red even though the engine was warmed up according to the gauge, and the fan was running alot even though it was around 32 degrees (the A/C switch was off)
From my understanding the water pump is under warranty but the radiator and hoses are not, according to the service agent.
For a follow up, It's been 5 days now and after the top up I haven't noticed anymore leaks or drop in the level. I've never seen that before though so it is kind of worrying, should I still proceed with the pressure test?
Make sure you call gm and make a complaint about this! A month and a half ago, i just had my water pump, water outlet and thermostat changed in my coolant. I am currently at a Chevy dealership getting my reservoir replaced bc that is leaking now. It’s def not an cheap fix, and Chevy will only pay for the pump. This is a common thing to happen in Chevys, and it def needs looked into. It seems to happen a lot more right after the warranty is up, almost like a set up. Gm had told me the more people who call about this, the better the chance they will do a recall.
Had the same leak and it was this hose on the bottom. It was spaying onto the belt and going all over. It was the cheapest part I have ever bought from chevy $35 and the easiest to replace. The weep hole is on the top of the water pump so you would have been able to see it.
Last edited by kingtchr; Jun 10, 2021 at 9:46 AM.
Reason: update
2014 Cruze: Leaking Coolant
