Coolant needing top up often on the aveo 1.6 G3

[Brit01]

Hi all,

I have a 2011 aveo G3 1.6 and it does seem to need its water reservoir tank topping up every couple of weeks after heavy use (lots of start stop traffic).

I have checked all fittings/pipes and there are no leaks. Oil is good and not changing level or looking milky. No smoke. No smells inside.
Everything is running smooth. No leaks from the water pump. I live in a dry dusty area so it would be quite visible if it was leaking.

Is this normal? Just evaporation from the release valve on the reservoir cap or could the cap need replacing? Yellow cap says 17 psi on the top but knowing the reliability of this GM car I´m not too convinced.
A closed system should not need topping up so much I believe.

Would be great to hear from other people´s experiences with the aveo coolant level.

Thanks

[Deano]

It would be helpful to know which type 1.6 litre engine it is. The 2009-2011 Aveos in Europe and North America were the new Ecotec 1.6 engine (LXV i believe), while 2009 and newer Aveos sold in the rest of the world were typically the old type ETec II 1.6 engine that were previously used in 2004-2008 Aveos in Europe and North America.

Does your engine say Ecotec on the valve cover? Or Etec II ??

Confirming which engine you have will better help diagnose your problem.

Deano

[Brit01]

Hi,

Sure it is an Etec II. South America(Uruguay) so probably from Brazil.

Thanks

[Brit01]

Still not tracked down any visible leaking which is causing me concern.

Could a leaky water pump hide any traces of dripping coolant? Burning off before it hits the ground or parts of the engine bay?

No smoke, clean oil, no smells or wet patches inside the car. No visible leaks around the coolant tank or engine bay/coolant pipes.
Baffled.

Will jack it up to see if I can see the water pump better and will check the radiator drain valve also. That is a little flimsy plastic plug at the bottom.

other than that next step would be to get a pressure test done

[Brit01]

Well this is frustrating. Been trying to diagnose the issue. Nothing yet. Every time my wife comes back from a journey no leaks on the driveway.
But just today she sent me a photo of some coolant spat out after she parked. She thinks it's under the area of where the coolant reservoir is.
She had the AC on so maybe the system got hotter than normal in heavy traffic?
Told her to check the reservoir and top up if low before she leaves later to come home.. Not to turn any ac on also.

May have to book it in to the garage which I hate doing. Feel defeated so far.

[Eg.h2o]

“No smoke, clean oil, no smells”. This is telling…unfortunately. My guess is a head gasket leak that is allowing coolant to be ingested into the combustion chamber and burning it up and out the tailpipe. I hope I’m wrong.

[Brit01]

It's an odd one.
Temperature fine.
I don't suspect a head gasket especially with just 110.000 kms.

But spat out about 200ml of coolant tonight underneath so definitely a leak or overpressurised when the AC is on after a long stop start journey.
I'll get it pressure tested.

[Brit01]

No more Chinese parts for me!
Changed the expansion tank last year due to a broken connection. Bought a Chinese after market part.

Failed! Leaking out of the molded half area.

Just ordered an original part.
Arrives tomorrow.
Glad I even found the leak due to it getting worse today and the leak was evident.

[Eg.h2o]

Awesome news. Easy fix.

[Brit01]

New original gm expansion tank arrived at 9.30pm.
Removed the relatively new aftermarket tank.
Actually had a hairline crack underneath! Obviously was opening up when hot and under pressure!

Thunderstorm hit us so a job for tomorrow.
Very relieved though.