Forever leaking coolant problem
Car in question is a 2014 Cruze LT2 purchased new in late June of 2014. I put a lot of miles on my car for my work (approximately 25,000+ miles a year) and I have begun to not trust it. In my profession I work as a IT support / Networking specialist. I have several IT systems that I maintain and some are mission critical to a the company I support. Thus, when I need to go I gotta go now. One of those such systems is 90 miles from my home or 130 miles from my work, one way.
I also much more diligent in keeping up with the basics on the vehicle (Probably engrained in me by my dad growing up on the farm and knowing having to fix broken equipment might take food off the table)
Just this evening I went the fill the car with fuel and noticed again the familiar coolant odor that I have come to loathe. Popped the hood and saw on the serpentine belt assembly the collected moisture on the AC clutch which I have found to be the tell tale signs of the water pump leaking AGAIN...... So here is the history of the coolant leak issues with my vehicle in question
9 Sept 2014: 7,313 miles. No leak but the 14417 recall check was done on the vehicle. No issues there.
22 May 2015: 22,216 miles. Vehicle went in for service due to coolant smell and recovery tank being low. Work order says waterpump was replaced.
3 Nov 2015: 33,880 miles. Vehicle went in for service again due to coolant smell and recovery tank being low. Noticed water wicking up and all around the serpentine belt and leaking when parked. Water pump replaced.
17 Feb 2016: 39,843 miles. Water outlet and all associated hoses and recovery tank hoses replaced due to coolant leaking on top the transmission.
23 Mar 2016: Just shy of 43,000 miles. Just noticed tonight the coolant smell again as I popped the hood as I was filling with fuel. Noticed that coolant recovery tank is again a little low. Did some looking around the engine bay and I can see where coolant (dexcool leaves a muddy stain when dried up) has been puddling on the lower skid tray on the car and can see the coolant being wicked up and around the serpentine belt assembly.
This is the 4th issue with the car in less than 2 years of ownership. I doubt this is a workmanship issue as far as the dealer goes being I have been pretty blunt about my feelings about this issue and they have done their best from my determination to rectify the issue.
While I am not going to rant (it will do me no good) I need to know how to best proceed here. While this is the second new vehicle I have purchased from GM if this trend is to continue with this vehicle it will be my last if I end up having to unload to car due to issues that make it non trustworthy.
I also much more diligent in keeping up with the basics on the vehicle (Probably engrained in me by my dad growing up on the farm and knowing having to fix broken equipment might take food off the table)
Just this evening I went the fill the car with fuel and noticed again the familiar coolant odor that I have come to loathe. Popped the hood and saw on the serpentine belt assembly the collected moisture on the AC clutch which I have found to be the tell tale signs of the water pump leaking AGAIN...... So here is the history of the coolant leak issues with my vehicle in question
9 Sept 2014: 7,313 miles. No leak but the 14417 recall check was done on the vehicle. No issues there.
22 May 2015: 22,216 miles. Vehicle went in for service due to coolant smell and recovery tank being low. Work order says waterpump was replaced.
3 Nov 2015: 33,880 miles. Vehicle went in for service again due to coolant smell and recovery tank being low. Noticed water wicking up and all around the serpentine belt and leaking when parked. Water pump replaced.
17 Feb 2016: 39,843 miles. Water outlet and all associated hoses and recovery tank hoses replaced due to coolant leaking on top the transmission.
23 Mar 2016: Just shy of 43,000 miles. Just noticed tonight the coolant smell again as I popped the hood as I was filling with fuel. Noticed that coolant recovery tank is again a little low. Did some looking around the engine bay and I can see where coolant (dexcool leaves a muddy stain when dried up) has been puddling on the lower skid tray on the car and can see the coolant being wicked up and around the serpentine belt assembly.
This is the 4th issue with the car in less than 2 years of ownership. I doubt this is a workmanship issue as far as the dealer goes being I have been pretty blunt about my feelings about this issue and they have done their best from my determination to rectify the issue.
While I am not going to rant (it will do me no good) I need to know how to best proceed here. While this is the second new vehicle I have purchased from GM if this trend is to continue with this vehicle it will be my last if I end up having to unload to car due to issues that make it non trustworthy.
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Wonder how these guys would deal with a leaking kitchen faucet? Gather they never heard about a pressure leak down test.
Newly remodeled Chevy dealer in town has a huge sign over the service door, EXPERT SERVICE. My laugh for the day whenever I drive by.
More educated guys say, its normal, less say, dey all do dis.
Newly remodeled Chevy dealer in town has a huge sign over the service door, EXPERT SERVICE. My laugh for the day whenever I drive by.
More educated guys say, its normal, less say, dey all do dis.
It sounds like there was air in the coolant. Is air in the coolant because the pump is leaking, or the system not holding pressure? Seems like a lot of water pumps in a short period of time.
Cruzes have been known to have radiator caps that don't see the bottle all that well. If you google Cruze Radiator Cap O-ring you'll find the thread.
After the dealership gets done repairing it, I would seriously consider looking at the radiator cap o-ring. It compresses when hot, and then the coolant system isn't sealed, causing air to get in, and a lot of smells.
There's been several of us that have purchased o-rings and put new rings on the cap. Honestly it's one of the easiest quick fixes to many of the coolant smells.
If you don't want to order o-rings, try a new radiator cap. I know this sounds crazy, but I strongly believe that if the radiator cap isn't holding pressure the water pump can cavitate. Sure GM has gone from plastic impellers to a metal one in one of the revisions, but how many changes can really be done to a water pump, besides seals and impellers?
Air in the system has caused others to crack the water outlet, and it sounds like you've been through that already. With the coolant pressurized pump attached to the coolant bottle, maybe a test comes back with the system holding pressure, but if the cap isn't holding all bets are off when the car is returned to service.
Cruzes have been known to have radiator caps that don't see the bottle all that well. If you google Cruze Radiator Cap O-ring you'll find the thread.
After the dealership gets done repairing it, I would seriously consider looking at the radiator cap o-ring. It compresses when hot, and then the coolant system isn't sealed, causing air to get in, and a lot of smells.
There's been several of us that have purchased o-rings and put new rings on the cap. Honestly it's one of the easiest quick fixes to many of the coolant smells.
If you don't want to order o-rings, try a new radiator cap. I know this sounds crazy, but I strongly believe that if the radiator cap isn't holding pressure the water pump can cavitate. Sure GM has gone from plastic impellers to a metal one in one of the revisions, but how many changes can really be done to a water pump, besides seals and impellers?
Air in the system has caused others to crack the water outlet, and it sounds like you've been through that already. With the coolant pressurized pump attached to the coolant bottle, maybe a test comes back with the system holding pressure, but if the cap isn't holding all bets are off when the car is returned to service.
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309 Posts
It took two replacements of the pump for mine to stop. Yours almost sounds like they are not getting a good seal with the gasket. It still under warranty for the pump. I would go back and talk to the service manager and tell him what is happening and have him inspect it once its done.
Ten water pump bolts on this thing, three different lengths, have to make sure the correct bolt goes in the correct hole, two sets are very close in length, all torqued to 71 inch pounds.
Always coat both sides of the gasket with non-hardening Permatex, and never have leaks.
Helps to coat that cap O'ring with silicone grease.
Feel using O'rings in coolant hoses is stupid. But sure makes assembly easier than using a good old fashion spring clamp. More and more emphasis is put on ease of assembly, goodbye long term reliability.
Always coat both sides of the gasket with non-hardening Permatex, and never have leaks.
Helps to coat that cap O'ring with silicone grease.
Feel using O'rings in coolant hoses is stupid. But sure makes assembly easier than using a good old fashion spring clamp. More and more emphasis is put on ease of assembly, goodbye long term reliability.
Joined
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516 Posts
After two pump replacements (and first a tightening of bolts when they didn't know it was a pump) the problem was finally fixed. Its been about two years now and no coolant smell or leaks.
I did some checking into the repairs, and did verify that the part number on the second pump (the one now working) is different than the first replacement.
I did some checking into the repairs, and did verify that the part number on the second pump (the one now working) is different than the first replacement.
Joined
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5,722 Posts
Sounds like you’ve had a tough time with your Cruze, Kossuth. Your continued loyalty is very important to us and we apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. Given the opportunity, we’d be glad to contact the involved dealership to work toward a solution and review this further. We can also check your VIN for any open recalls or service announcements referencing your coolant concern. We’re available via private message and only need your VIN, mileage, contact information, and preferred dealership to move forward.
Best,
Jasmine
Chevrolet Customer Care
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5,301 Posts
Betty Crocker could have baked better Car parts. I don't trust the replacement pumps although I only had that Coolant smell on my 2014 the first few days of ownership, and when my water pump went. To keep costs low these replacement parts are not always new, just re-manufactured.
Yes, the pump now comes with new TTY bolts AND the torque value has changed on two of the fasteners.....instructions are in the box.
Rob
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