leak from envoy

[Solow]

I have a 2008 envoy. Lately, I've noticed a little water or something under the truck, after it sits for a while. It doesn't happen all the time. Maybe, once or twice a week. There isn't much. I can't tell if it's antifreeze or water. I did notice the coolant recovery tank is filled about one and a half inches above the full cold line. The level is near the overflow tube. I can't tell where the tube goes to underneath, so I don't know if this is where it's coming from. Anybody have any ideas? Or, should I take it in and have it checked by the dealer? Thanks for any replies.

Mike

 

[CaptainXL]

I have a 2008 envoy. Lately, I've noticed a little water or something under the truck, after it sits for a while. It doesn't happen all the time. Maybe, once or twice a week. There isn't much. I can't tell if it's antifreeze or water. I did notice the coolant recovery tank is filled about one and a half inches above the full cold line. The level is near the overflow tube. I can't tell where the tube goes to underneath, so I don't know if this is where it's coming from. Anybody have any ideas? Or, should I take it in and have it checked by the dealer? Thanks for any replies.

Mike

Hi Mike. Nice rides you got there.

Do this. Place a piece of white cardboard under the truck and take a look at it in the morning. If it's pink then its coolant.

It's been snowing here in grand rapids the past couple days so any snow melt might cause confusion as well.

 

[northcreek]

I have a 2008 envoy. I can't tell if it's antifreeze or water.

Taste it,if it's sweet it's AF....if it's neutral it's water....if it's bitter it's acid....if it's yellow it's the cat..Mike.

 

[The_Roadie]

Where is it on the ground when you see it? If behind the passenger front wheel and tastes like water, it's most likely AC condensate.

And your friends on GMTN will do ANYTHING to avoid having you take it in to a dealer. Enthusiasts tend to spend 40 hours on-line with the community here, troubleshooting things ten times over, for free rather than pay the dealer $150 in undeserved tribute.

 

[Russ]

And your friends on GMTN will do ANYTHING to avoid having you take it in to a dealer. Enthusiasts tend to spend 40 hours on-line with the community here, troubleshooting things ten times over, for free rather than pay the dealer $150 in undeserved tribute.

AMEN to that!!!!! These guys are absolutely the best!!!!!!

Russ

 

[Solow]

I'm hoping I solved the problem. I took about a quart of antifreeze out of the coolant recovery tank. The antifreeze level is still about one quarter inch above the full when cold line. I think a little coolant was coming out the overflow tube on the tank. I'll watch it for a few days and see.

Mike

 

[The_Roadie]

Hope that's it. But how in the world could it get that overfilled? Was it serviced by a goof recently? A quickie-lube place? Was the truck new to you and the previous owner was a goof? Just trying to figure out if you have a leak of transmission fluid INTO the radiator. Please also check the transmission fluid level ASAP and make sure it isn't low.

 

[Solow]

Transmission fluid level is good. I bought the vehicle in Nov. from a dealership. They told me at the time that they did a coolant flush along with an oil change and transmission service. Someone didn't pay attention to what they were doing. I won't have any maintenance work done there ever. Thanks for the reply.

Mike

 

[Solow]

Well, I couldn't find the leak, so I broke down and took the envoy to my usual dealership. They pressure tested it and couldn't find a leak. They agreed the leak was probably from the overfill of the recovery tank. In the meantime, they noticed a lead in the front differential. It was quite bad. They went ahead and fixed the leak. It didn't cost me anything as the envoy is still covered under the drivetrain warranty. To say the least , I'm quite happy about it.

Mike

 

[shadowwar]

IF the radiator cap is bad in can cause an overfilled overflow. Might want to have it checked with a pressure tester. But sounds like the dealer goofed previously.

 

[Solow]

Well, it's back to square one. Today, I go out and check the envoy and lo and behold, a wet spot. I was able to put a white sheet of paper under it and collect some fluid. It's coolant. I think I found where it's coming from. There are two hoses that come from the firewall and make a u turn. They're both covered with what looks like a silver protective material. One of the hoses transitions into a metal tube with a connecting joint. It's wet at that joint. I don't know why the pressure test didn't catch this. I'm going to take it back monday.

Mike