How low (coolant level) can you go - found a leak!

[DavidS]

The manual allows for a much higher leak rate than I would be comfortable with.
“If you have to add more than 1.1 qt (1 L) of coolant per month, have your vehicle checked as soon as possible. “

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[Lightning Rod]

That's pretty sad that with our trucks, such an expensive and techy vehicle, there's no warning lights or notifications with the coolant that low?

Wow.

 

[chl]

I recall that post, it did cross my mind while I was trying to figure out how it could have gotten so low. I'll be taking careful note of the level after I top it up. Nothing on my garage floor. I'll try to glance under the truck when I depart work. I don't see why it would leak there and not my garage though. Perhaps it's only leaking while in use?

I suppose it is possible that it could only leak when it is being pumped around but you'd think there'd be some residual that would drip once you stopped and parked...definitely keep an eye on it.

 

[GoodSam]

Another guess might be that leak happened all at once away from home. If coolant level was seen as OK in the past without any major work being done, the High Voltage Battery pack internal leak around the 9 modules is best guess as that should trap the coolant inside the container, but cannot be good. Need OBD and CarScanner to see if any parameters seem out of whack.

 

[Zprime29]

For those curious, I put in just shy of 1 qt to get it to the max line. There where multiple monsoon storms on my way home so it was impossible to say if anything leaked on that drive. The garage floor was dry and clear this morning so nothing overnight. I'll be keeping an eye on it to see if/when the reservoir takes another dip.

I checked car scanner when I got back from my road trip over the 4th. Voltage variation is still well inside the norm after letting it top up to 100%. Actually had more useable energy available than I've seen in a while. So despite the low level and the crazy heat, I seem to be in good shape yet. *knocks on fake wood*

 

[chl]

For those curious, I put in just shy of 1 qt to get it to the max line. There where multiple monsoon storms on my way home so it was impossible to say if anything leaked on that drive. The garage floor was dry and clear this morning so nothing overnight. I'll be keeping an eye on it to see if/when the reservoir takes another dip.

I checked car scanner when I got back from my road trip over the 4th. Voltage variation is still well inside the norm after letting it top up to 100%. Actually had more useable energy available than I've seen in a while. So despite the low level and the crazy heat, I seem to be in good shape yet. *knocks on fake wood*

That's a good sign - fingers crossed!

 

[B177y]

They seem to come from the factory set at the minimum level, mine was. I filled it to the MAX line.

This was my experience. I remember checking the level after a couple of weeks of ownership through the trim opening and thinking, "That looks like it's below the low line". Took the trim off to get a better look and it was low. Topped it to maximum level and it's stayed there after about 52,000 miles.

I seem to remember some very early threads on here stating that the cooling system purge is a PITA. Guidance was to keep an eye on the coolant level for the first few thousand miles as bubbles got worked out. Same for if you have any HVB work done.

 

[chl]

This was my experience. I remember checking the level after a couple of weeks of ownership through the trim opening and thinking, "That looks like it's below the low line". Took the trim off to get a better look and it was low. Topped it to maximum level and it's stayed there after about 52,000 miles.

I seem to remember some very early threads on here stating that the cooling system purge is a PITA. Guidance was to keep an eye on the coolant level for the first few thousand miles as bubbles got worked out. Same for if you have any HVB work done.

Yea I remember those posts too.
Battery cooling and warming is a pretty dang important thing so the manual (that nobody reads) says to check the level once a month....so I do my best to remember not to forget to do that.

 

[K6CCC]

Battery cooling and warming is a pretty dang important thing so the manual (that nobody reads) says to check the level once a month....so I do my best to remember not to forget to do that.

I use the frunk quite regularly, and frequently take a look since it's so easy to see when the frunk is open. Easy habit to get into.

 

[chl]

I use the frunk quite regularly, and frequently take a look since it's so easy to see when the frunk is open. Easy habit to get into.

I mostly use the frunk when I shop at the grocery store after dark when the crowds have subsided...got into that habit during the COVID menace that plagued us for many months...

 

[Lightning Rod]

There's tons of posts with this same thing happening... mine was one of them. Mine never got that low, but it was really low. It seems that that seems to happen until you top it off a couple times over a couple years or so.

I'd keep an eye on it but I think you'll be just fine.

 

[Zprime29]

Holding steady so far. I mentioned it to my brother, who's Flash is about a year old now. His truck matched the general consensus here, with it being at or slightly below the min line. That's what I was expecting and got really confused when I didn't see anything.

 

[jobofly79]

im going to go check mine too. If it is low, what kind of coolant do i need to get?

 

[TaxmanHog]

im going to go check mine too. If it is low, what kind of coolant do i need to get?

Low Coolant Level and dropping - VC-13DL-G

 

[Zprime29]

im going to go check mine too. If it is low, what kind of coolant do i need to get?

I went to the parts desk at my dealer and got a gallon of the pre-mixed for $17.

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