F-Body Europe

I keep getting a low coolant light but my temp gauge is reading perfect. I've already put 1/2 gallon of coolant in and still am getting the light.
Any suggestions?

Check the level in the coolant surge tank if it is low fill it . If it is full , check the low coolant sensor for proper operation. The sensor should be in the surge tank also.

I purposly over-filled the surge tank so the car would take what it needed and it spit the rest out. I only ran the for car for maybe 45 minutes max. But, no light so far (it normally took about 5-10 minutes before the light came on). I guess I'm up and running.

If you get it again, just burp the lines with the little brass screws with the motor running, or not if you have an electric pump.

Rob H, don't understand, if I have an electric pump then don't purge?

Ok, according to Hayne's Auto Manual: they give me the options of overcooling or abnormal coolant loss. The oil on the dipstick looks fine. I am going to pop the valve covers off tonight and check for pits or evidence of a leak (I hope this isn't the case).
As for the sensor, the only one I can find is the sending unit which is under the header. All the research I've done on the cooling system ie, basic system, trouble shooting, and schematics, I have only found this sensor which is linked to the light and guage.

Anymore ideas?

if you have an electric pump, you can turn it on with the engine off, and burp the system. Was what I meant.

Its how the hoses sit. The thermostat and part of the main hose sit higher than the fill cap, so you get air bubbles trapped in there. thats why the bleeder screws.

The second sensor plugs in under the water pump BTW. The gauge reads off of this one, the PCM reads from the drivers head sensor.
For temps that is.

If your looking for coolant leak because of a head gasket, then thats a differant story entirely. White smoke out the exhaust should tell on that, but if your loosing lots, I guess you need to look for milkshake oil under the valve covers/oil pan.

There is no smoke at all, the oil dip stick is clean, and the radiator cap is fine. There are no power loses, no engine surgeing, knocks, or anything of the such. So I don't think the problem is major.

ok, i burped the sytem. this weekend (if i get the parts and gaskets) I'm testing the sensor (on the front of the water pump), changing the thermostat, and checking for water under the valve covers.

i've heard of something before about spraying wd-40 around the intake and heads. if the engine revs higher while spraying then there could be a possiablilty of a bad seal??? Any body heard of this?

Yep. That's a good way to locate vacuum leaks. Carb cleaner works too.

I'll try that after work.

I'd use carb cleaner myself, but are you working on a differant problem now. Coolant isnt anywhere near the intake seals.

Good point. I want to check everything possiable. But I'm more curious about a bad gasket somewhere.