Mike J Youngquist

Just bought a 95 corvette and coolant light flashed for a minute. When cooled down I checked upper reservoir? Towards back of engine and it was low so filled it to the top. My question is was that ok to do? The clear lower reservoir towards front of engine was at normal level. Thanks in advance.

syco_cop

Adding coolant there is fine. However, it should have pulled coolant from the reservoir and if it didn't I would bet money you have a coolant leak somewhere.

Mike J Youngquist

Thank you for your response. There is no leak anywhere on the ground or underneath. The previous owner said he just had all fluids flushed. So hopefully it's not a head gasjet problem. Oil is not milky and no smoke from exhaust. Thoughts on this?

hornetball

If fluids have just been changed, then the engine could be purging air from an incomplete bleed to the expansion tank. The expansion tank is the high point and designed to do this. Monitor a couple more cool downs to make sure that the expansion tank stays topped off and is pulling from the overflow as expected. If that's not happening, then further investigation is warranted using a cooling system pressure tester (rental tool at most parts stores).

turtle96

Side bar: that is a nice looking car. I normally don't like those C5 wagon wheels but they look great!

Mike J Youngquist

Thank you sir!

Mike J Youngquist

Thank you everyone for the responses.

Mike J Youngquist

Think I found the problem. Just took it for a ride and came home. Front of water pump is wet with water and coolant. FML

Fiberbundle

That is a problem you will want to address quickly. Water leaking down onto the opti does not result in anything good happening!

hornetball

Good catch! I would get a pressure tester so you can observe where the coolant is coming from. It is likely the pump, but there are lots of other possibilities in that area as well (loose/cracked hose, bleeder leaking, etc.).