Question for my Cobalt ss/sc friends
So the other day while I was changing my oil I realized my supercharger coolant reservoir was empty, so I went and got a big bottle of 50-50 dexcool and ended up putting the whole bottle in because it just wouldn't stay full, finally it seemed to be pretty full. Well the next morning on my way to work after about 10 minutes of driving my car, I went for a pull and the car started started to putter really bad, my check engine light started blinking, and a S!@# ton of white smoke came out of my exhaust. When I got to work I checked my coolant reservoir and it was bone dry again, so adding 2 & 2 together I figured the coolant is leaking somewhere. lol I just wanted to see if anybody could tell me what this could be and if anyone has ever had this problem and how to fix it!

 

Is the car modded in anyway?

 

Are you talking about the T-neck in front of the supercharger, or the coolant reservoir to the right of the fuse box?

 

Do you have a dual pass mod?

 

No mods just the typical CAI. And yes im talking about the T-neck in front of the supercharger.

 

And I forgot to mention this in the post, The whole situation with the puttering and blowing the smoke only lasted like 10 seconds, I shut the car off, turned it back on and it drove fine! I just don't know if its okay to drive it when it has what looks like no coolant in the T-neck.

 

The t-neck filler loses coolant but its seems like yours is emptying more frequently. You can check for leaks at your endplate and obviously all the hoses going to and from the intercooler pump. You can still drive it, just refrain from going into boost.

 

If it started smoking white that would lead me to believe the orings on the laminova cores or the o ring on the end plate is leaking. It would allow the motor to burn coolant.

 

I'm not really familiar with anything supercharged this Is my first one I've owned so forgive me for my ignorance, I've owned plenty of turboed vehicles but that obviously a whole different ball-league, haha but what are the laminova rings? and would the O-ring be hard to fix?

 

Not hard depending on your mechanical skills. But you'll have to remove the intake manifold. And if your going to do that might as well install an option b and/or dual pass unless you wanted to stay stock. Also replace the intake manifold gasket

You can get an idea of what to take off just looking for option b install guides

 

Thanks for your help! where can I get a dual pass intercooler?

 

Zzp for a cast endplate or ottp for a used stock endplate with a fitting welded in. I believe the ottp one is cheaper and isnt prone to leaking like the zzp one is.

 

ZZp's leaks.

Ottp is "cheaper" but you have to send your core down so josh can modify it, or you can purchase a already modified one from crateenginedepot.com

 

My ZZP dual pass never leaked

 

Mine did so I replaced it with the one from crateenginedepot

Must be hit or miss

 

The laminova cores are in the intake manifold. You have to remove the supercharger then remove the intake manifold (I don't remember if you have to remove the fuel injectors or not to get the intake manifold off) . After removing the intake manifold you can remove the laminova endplate off the intake manifold and then remove the laminova cores. You can inspect the laminova cores to make sure they are not damaged, replace the O-rings, then replace everything. You should be able to complete the entire process in about 2 hours.

A little hint, when removing the intake manifold remove the intake manifold studs. You will have a bitch of a time trying to remove the manifold with the studs still in the head. Oh, and do NOT over tighten the intake manifold endplate bolts, or intake manifold studs and nuts, or you will cause yourself even more trouble.

 

This.

 

I second this.

 

It's not hit or miss.

The ZZP endplate is garbage. End of story.

The GMR endplate from CED is the way to go. Glad you figured that out.

OP, use this thread:

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/how-...rnator-274630/

 

Update on whats going on: So I took my balt to a shop in town that I do a lot of business through, I sell cars and we take every vehicle we have to them to get work done and they are a pretty straight forward place, I don't think theyd be ones to lie to me about whats going on but they said my whole intake system is shot and they are quoting me at $1,200 for oem replacments. While I trust them with most situations im a little iffy on this one, im asking you guys if I do need a whole intake system is there anywhere I could get one that would be a tad bit cheaper and I could actually gain a little performance?

 

Exactly what parts are they saying you need? You can easily fix the leaking seals in your intake manifold. You can remove your laminova cores and clean them and replace your seals for very cheap. They are most likely quoting you for a new intake manifold with gaskets. Thats like 600 i believe plus labor. I dont see what else they would be charging you for.

 

No just no. Mongorat on here has a brand new lsj intake manifold for like $400. I highly advise against having a shop do this work. You can tackle this yourself. Trust me. Use my how to, and you will be set.

Second option is to purchase new laminova O-rings from zzp. along with all new gaskets for your existing intake manifold. Much cheaper, but a little more labor added in for removing and reinstalling the laminova cores.

 

Awesome guys! Thanks for you help! and they are saying that the piping from the intercooler that goes into the intake manifold is leaking and causing it to go into my engine chamber! They are quoting me for a whole new intake system but I did think that was a little extreme, when its just one pipe that's leaking!

 

Correct. More than likely its just the O-rings on the laminova cores. They are like $20 new on zzps site. You can swap them out easily. My how to explains how to remove and install laminova cores, so if you need any help let me know.

 

Sweet! Appreciate ya man!