Actually, it is covered. But the dealer has to enter the part description correctly. IIRC, the redesign requires a different hose and that's not covered.The second most common point is the water outlet on the right side (as you look at the engine) of the engine block. This has been redesigned. Unfortunately it's not covered by the power train warranty. Fortunately it's not an expensive repair.
After I read your response I realized the reason mine wasn't covered was because I was at 102,000 miles when it started leaking.Actually, it is covered. But the dealer has to enter the part description correctly. IIRC, the redesign requires a different hose and that's not covered.
The other place to check is the coolant tank itself. Some members have reported that theirs has cracked. Most often right where it connects to the hoses.
The fact that the service writer could smell coolant under the hood means you have a leak, somewhere. Also, while air in the system can lower the coolant level up to an inch it won't lower it to none, unless they didn't fill the coolant properly in the first place. The proper fill method is to open the hood, fill the coolant to the top of the arrow (top rib/seam) and start the engine. As the engine runs it will pump coolant into the system and force air out. As the air comes out you add more coolant to keep the tank level steady. Turn the engine off after the tank level stops dropping. Let the car cool off and then fill to the "full" line again. You'll still have some air left in the system but not enough to empty the tank.Just took it to the dealer, service writer says he smells coolant under the hood (I don't smell it) and will test further. Let's see what they can find. Thanks all.
UPDATE: dealer called, they said they pressure tested it for 2 hours without finding a leak and topped off the coolant as it may just be a an air bubble following the water pump replacement. Hopefully it is true. Could any of the aforementioned causes lead to a false-negative pressure test? I will be driving it a lot in the coming weeks so that will be a final test.
My dealership added the GM Florescent cooling system dye to track down my leak. This is the only way I figured it was the lower o-ring (as installed on tank) on the coolant pressure cap.Yeah water pump was found leaking about 4-5 weeks ago, but after replacement problem still persists. They (and I) are at a loss of what is going on.
All my pressure tests came out negative and they could not take care of my smell or slight coolant loss for four years. My coolant stop going going away permanently until the water pump and water outlet were replaced at pretty much the same time. I went ahead and replaced the coolant cap for kicks but ever since I did those two things I loss zero coolant. I am just telling you my experience and how my coolant loss stopped so your mileage may vary. Water outlet is a piece of junk. If they replace anything in your cooling system go ahead and pay for it to replace it even if they don't want to because it is only a 30 dollar part.Thanks for all the suggestions! So the dealer had it pressure tested (again) for > 2 hours and found nothing. They also inspected water pump and water outlet and found no leaks. They returned the car saying that it was probably an air bubble. We're now two weeks later and the coolant tank is less than 50% full again. I've been monitoring levels every morning and it drops more depending on how much I drive it. Clearly its still losing coolant somewhere. Called the dealer again and they're saying they really don't know what it could still be but they're taking another look tomorrow. Not sure what they will be looking for at this point and how they will approach it? I've noticed the engine is quite sluggish and vibrates briefly when I first start it up after it has cooled off. The temperature gauge does not indicate overheating. What could it still be at this point? They did not add the dye last time because they said the pressure test should have ruled it out. I guess it could still be the cap but that's a lot of coolant to lose in two weeks through the cap without any obvious stains or moistness in that area?
If it's not leaking on the outside, then it's leaking internally. You might ask them to test for exhaust gasses in the coolant. Is there any white smoke?I've noticed the engine is quite sluggish and vibrates briefly when I first start it up after it has cooled off.
Make sure you tell them that. That strongly indicates a head gasket.There is some white smoke actually while it rough at startup.
