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

[Free Charging]

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.

Dealership is kind of stonewalling me as if checking this was an unreasonable ask after I had an array replaced. I'm confused...

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[Lytning]

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. “

That sounds more like my Doctor's liquor limit.

 

[richguy82]

This same thing happened to me 4-5 months ago. I never really paid attention to my coolant levels, but one day it caught my eye and I couldn’t even see any coolant in there. I brought it to the dealer and they pressure tested it. There was no leak. They filled it up and told me to keep an eye on it. I just looked at it today and it doesn’t seem to have gone down at all. I suspect it was low from the factory.

 

[Zprime29]

Well bad news...I found the leak. Didn't get a picture as I was heading to the airport to head out of town for a wedding.

I checked the level after tossing my bags into the frunk and it was about a 1/4in below the max line. I grabbed a nearby flashlight and spotted liquid under the truck on the passenger side. Upon further inspection there's a definitive slow drip coming down the front passenger corner of the HVB pack.

I'm going to be gone for about a week, so I threw in the bottle of coolant and the funnel in case I need to top up when I get back. I've emailed my service advisor with the info. They are either going to have to take it the frunk or drop the battery to find it, I'm sure. Ugh.....

I really hope this falls under the battery warranty. I'm going to call the BEV hotline next week to try and get confirmation before I drop it off on the 27th.

 

[Heliian]

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.

I don't think I've ever seen a vehicle with a coolant level indicator.

Also, the expansion tank (reservoir) is supposed to be above MIN when cold and below MAX when hot. Pretty much the same as every other cooling system out there.

 

[Lightning Rod]

I don't think I've ever seen a vehicle with a coolant level indicator.

Also, the expansion tank (reservoir) is supposed to be above MIN when cold and below MAX when hot. Pretty much the same as every other cooling system out there.

Yep. We have a low level sensor in the windshield washer fluid reservoir (running out of that is way more important than running out of coolant, ha ha ).

 

[TaxmanHog]

Checked on my level, just like it was when I topped it to the middle point of the MAX & MIN labels years ago.

 

[DavidS]

I don't think I've ever seen a vehicle with a coolant level indicator.

Also, the expansion tank (reservoir) is supposed to be above MIN when cold and below MAX when hot. Pretty much the same as every other cooling system out there.

At least some VW/Audi vehicles have them in the bottom of the reservoir to notify you if you are way past the min line like the OP. Like the OP, it’s generally going to only trigger if you have a coolant leak.

 

[Heliian]

Yep. We have a low level sensor in the windshield washer fluid reservoir (running out of that is way more important than running out of coolant, ha ha ).

It is a consumable. A lot of brake reservoirs have them which is more important.

 

[Zprime29]

Visiting my family for a wedding, we just discovered a similar leak on his '24 Flash. It's not as bad as mine, but there's liquid pooled up around front passenger tire liner. Very close to the location I think mine is leaking from. He's still inside the full warranty so it will definitely be covered at least.

 

[chl]

I saw a Youtube video about a particular coolant connection that fails because of the way it is assembled with a sharp part that can slice a coolant line as I recall...if I can locate it I'll post the link...here it is:

 

[Zprime29]

Dropped off on Friday and got an update this morning. I'm told the EV tech was able to get it up on the lift Saturday. They did not see signs and did a pressure test for both the battery and AC lines and said everything held. They did note that there is condensation that builds up and drips down on that front passenger wheel area. Thus far, it looks like the liquid I saw was a false alarm and just due to condensation. This would also explain what we saw with my brother's truck.

Recall work sounds like it'll be done today so I'm hopeful I'll be able to pick it up on the way home. They gave me a full size Bronco for a loaner, which I am super grateful that they offer. But it doesn't hold a candle to the Lightning. Even my 8 year old daughter complained about the ride and don't get me started on the fuel economy. I'm paying $10 a day just for my commute.

I am very curious how long the coolant was so low, was that never inspected in previous service intervals? If so, where did 1qt of coolant go in the last 20k miles (I skipped my 50k). If you haven't, I think every owner should take a quick peak at their coolant level to get a baseline level so you aren't left pondering similar questions. If I thought it wouldn't hurt, I'd have run an experiment to see if they noticed during this go around. Oh well....live and learn.

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