2 N* Questions - Coolent and Tranny Dipstick?

Elmer Fudd · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-06, 11:07 AM

1999 N*

1) Is ANY coolent use normal?? I mean about 1/2 - 1" in the tank over 3000 - 4000 miles or so?

2) Where on earth is the tranny dipstick?

Thanks in Advance.....

eldorado1 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-06, 11:38 AM

Your coolant usage is a little high, yes.

The trans dipstick is on the top front corner of the transmission. Black round handle looking thing. Check it idling when warm, in park, on a level surface.

**Ranger** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-06, 11:40 AM

1) No.

2) Look under the intake ducting. It is not a conventional "dipstick" like the oil stick. It is a cap with a stick, like the P/S.

Elmer Fudd · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-06, 12:23 PM

Hummmm....the coolant was changed at the Caddy Dealer about 40k miles ago. It is still nice and red. However I do sometimnes think I smell that hot coolant smell every now and then (it is very faint, I have a sensitive nose) when I'm driving. I can smell that smell in a lot of cars I have been in.

Maybe I have a small leak somewhere on the engine. There are no drips. Is is possible the waterpump may be weeping a little when it is running. I do here a little "whine" noise off and on from the belt area. WP was changed about 40 k ago as well.

I also may be off a bit on my estmate of useage as I checked it sometimes on a small slant, I'll keep a good watch by checking it here at work (very level).

Thanks both for the tranny info.....

chevelle · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-06, 12:44 PM

Remember that the "tank" is part of the pressurized cooling system. You do not want to remove the cap when it is hot. If you check it at work, check it when you leave work when it has cooled down. Fill it about 1.5 to 2 inches from the cap when it is cold and always check it cold.

If you are smellling coolant you might have a seepage somewhere..... Look around carefully. You could also get a coolant system pressure pump and pump up the system when it is cold to exacerbate any leaks making them easier to find.

Was the cooling system sealer added when the coolant was changed at the dealer?? If not, then disconnect the upper rad hose at the engine end, pop 3 or 4 of the coolant supplement pellets in and reconnect the hose. That would seal up any minor seepage at a gasket or casting that might be occuring.

Elmer Fudd · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-06, 12:54 PM

Thanks for the advice Chev,

I can assume (bad idea huh?

) that the pellets were added (it was before I got the car) since it was done at the local dealer, and there is also that big yellow sticker right at the radiator to remind them. However if I do verify some seepage I will check back with them. All I have is the history printout on the car that does not go into detail on what they did or did not do on any particular maint. job.

chevelle · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-06, 01:38 PM

If there is any doubt about the supplement/sealer just add some more. Unless you start using a coal shovel to install it, it really won't do any harm. It is perfectly fine to put 6 pellets in (a 4.1/4.5/4.9 used 6 pellets from the factory) so even if three were put in with the coolant change adding 3 more to be sure would not hurt a thing. In fact, it just adds more protection from seepages and leaks.

The only bad thing about using the supplement to stop seepages is that you do not want to mask an impending catostrophic failure (like a hose splitting or clamp failing or ????) with the sealant only to have the part fail completely and leave you stranded. If there is suspicion of a leak or seepage it is a good idea to identify the source and then decide if the sealant is an acceptable means of stopping the seepage. If the system had the sealant in it from the factory and then it was not replaced when the system was recharged with fresh coolant it could have opened a previously sealed porosity or seep from a casting. That is what the sealant is for....sealing up microscopic seepages from gaskets, gasket surfaces, casting porosities and voids, etc. Use it.

Elmer Fudd · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-06, 02:19 PM

good point. Next chance when it is real hot I will park it in the sun, pop the hood, take the cover off and stick my nose and eyeball around as much as I can (without getting burnt). Maybe I can see it. If nothing else I can add the 3 pellets, after it cools of course. I have heard here that Bars Leak PELLETS (NOT liquid) is the same thing as you get from the dealer.....true??

**Ranger** · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-06, 04:10 PM

Yes, the Barsleaks tabs (HDC) are the exact same thing that you get from the dealer.

FWIW, I used to have a faint coolant smell on my '97 Deville when I pulled in the garage. Searched for a long time before I found some very minor seepage along the bottom of the water pump cover. It is imposible to see, but when I felt down there my fingers came out damp. I still have the gasket on my work bench. It was so minor that I never got around to replacing it.

Elmer Fudd · #10 (**permalink**) 10-05-06, 05:48 PM

Yes Ranger I know what you mean. I had a 87 Town Car (that I sold and bought this 99 Concours) that every time I pulled in the carport I could smell faint anti-freeze. Never found a leak, added just a little coolant every 3 or 4 months........ran like that for years, never did drip anywhere......