So i have been working on a p0171 and while tinkering under the hood i happened to notice my overflow was completely empty.. Thinking this was strange i popped open my radiator cap (Upper rad hose) and notice that was empty as well.. I guess my question is.. when the car is cold should there be fluid in the upper rad house?? I have owed the car for 2 years and has never over heated normal temps read by the coolant sensor are 190-215 ish... the car has been parked for a good 7-8 months and iv been dumping every penny i have to get it back on the road... little worried i may now have yet another problem with the fricken car...

2008 ls 2.2 Panel

 

Yes, there should be coolant, full under the pressure cap, and some in the recovery tank. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/main...ank-pic-55772/

 

Is there water in the oil? If not it is going out the exhaust.

 

Oil was changed about 2 months ago and is just as clean as the day i put it in... no chocolate coloring or foam at all...

 

ok soo...I just grabbed some DEXcool and filled the rad cap... took about 1 cup (16oz) ish.. maybe a little less to get the line full... i started it squeezed the line to try to burp it and it didn't need any more... so maybe just a little low... doesn't explain why the overflow was empty though

 

Low coolant is common, after storage, as you have topped it up, burp it again, a couple of times, if the Dexcool is older , or you’re unsure of it’s age drain and refill , replace the thermostat AC Delco 131-158 180 degree.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...-system-60614/

 

It isn't an overflow tank; it is a coolant recovery tank. When the coolant in the system expands from heat it goes into the tank, when the engine cools down it sucks it back in. If the tank is empty it sucks air in.
There is a lot of other science stuff that you can figure yourself.

 

There can be a number of reasons for low coolant while sitting. Now that your driving the car let’s look forward.
many coolant around the rad hoses? Heater core ? Puddles under the HHR?

 

You need to check the coolant level at both the pressure cap and the tank every day for a little while. If/when you establish the situation is stable you can just check it at the tank with each fillup. I find a little LED flashlight makes seeing the tank level a lot easier.

If there are no leaks found in the pressurized parts of the system, have a good look at tank and the hose to it and the pressure cap fitting. I had a bad fitting that kept the pressure cap from seating correctly and it leaked there, so slightly that drips dried up before they reached the ground. There can also be leaks in the hose, its connections, and the tank itself.

 

My rad cap tee , or filler neck OEM part had a hairline crack in it, no puddles just coolant getting pressured out while driving it.