Holden Commodore VE 2008 3.6L Coolant Leak Issue

[Louie83]

Car: Holden Commodore VE 2008 60th Anniversary 3.6L A4
Issue: Overheating
Suspect cause: Coolant leak?

Hi guys,

My commodore has been leaking coolant the last few days, and the engine temperature steadily climbs until the 'Engine Temperature' warning message appears. Originally it seemed to happen when I had the air-con on and then I noticed that the air-con switched to recirculate and I couldn't change it. The recirculate button light would just blink on and off after pressing it and then stay lit.

If I turned the air-con off then it would usually slow down the increase in temperature on the gauge. If I pulled over and then waited for the radiator fans to stop with the hood up, the temperature gauge would be fine after that.

Lately, it doesn't seem to matter if I turn the air-con off or not, and I had to purchase 5L of pre-mixed pink/red coolant. The coolant was empty and I filled up the coolant from the radiator cap, let it idle to get rid of trapped air, and then filled it to overflowing before closing the radiator cap, and filling up coolant in the coolant reservoir dipstick area as well (I have no idea when it comes to automotive/engine mechanics).

It seemed good after that, until I left my parents place and was heading home. The temperature rose again and I had to pull over at 7-Eleven. I bought de-mineralised water (4L), 1L of Stop Leak (generic brand), leather gloves (because opening the radiator cap when the car is hot freaks me the #### out), and bars or something like that stop leak (2 x 150mL) which my girlfriend's mum recommended.

I filled up the coolant with the water and then added stop leak in stages allowing the car to idle and get rid of air again. After this the car seemed okay on the way home (15 minute drive) and I immediately did some Googling which led me to this forum site (great site by the way).

Any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Cheers.

P.S. I did look under the car and saw a slow dripping of coolant from somewhere at the bottom.

 

[Tatiana]

I am going to be Captain Obvious: you have a coolant leak and need to consult a mechanic if you don't know how to fix it.

Personally I would not use stop leak, when the car first started overheating you should have had it looked at rather than keep driving. As it is designed as a temp fix you will need to get it looked at soon, probably will need the radiator replaced now and that **** clogs up everything.

 

[ducker85]

That stop leak ruins motors. It puts a copper/brass coating on everything!!! Rad hoses, the radiator, the heads, block etc. You may warp the heads if you keep over heating it and driving the car.

The coolant leak could be a cracked hose, the radiator, head gasket, inlet manifold gasket etc. You need to go to a mechanic ASAP

 

[stick3]

depends where it it leaking from front could be water pump / o rings , heater tap or thermostat housing /o rings back end of of motor thats the common coolant leak issues with the alloytech

 

[Benboy]

Suggest that you find a reliable Engine Cooling Specialist and get them to pressure test your system. A cheap and non invasive method of quickly identifying leaks etc. Good luck.