i just looked at my overflow tank its empty as well. also, the past few months i been hearing a gurgling noise inside the cab, now im thinking its the heater core cuz the coolant is low

 

Is the arrow pointing down towards the line?...You're right I can barely make it out

 

ok don't panic, mine was the same about a month or so ago...reread the thread from the beginning.
here is what you need to do before you go to the dealer.

do this with the engine cold:
1-unscrew the radiator cap (which is the top hose cap next to the recovery filler cap) and see if your coolant level is at or near the top. mine was low inside but not that low.

2-get your owners manual out, for it gives you instructions on filling the unit.

3-make sure you have Dex-Cool antifrezze.

4-not only bring that level up to the top of the neck, but also add that to the recovery tank to the proper level, remenber to use a 50/50 mix of coolant and water, I use distilled water, but you can use tap water also.

5-follow instructions in the manual on how to let the engine heat up and about adding more fluid if necessary.
I also run the heater on high when doing this procedure.

6-again I think it was neglect on my part for never checking the recovery tank until this past December, so it may have come from the factory lke this and overlooked by the dealer on the get-ready.....believe me the factory did alot of wrong things on the left side of my vehicle during the build that the dealer never caught before delivery, I had to bring it to their attention.
so it doesn't surprise me that your tank is empty also.

7-use my tape method as described, (pics soon) and that may solve your problem

good luck!!!

 

Yes the arrow is on the LH side of the pic pointing down. Hopefully SSROADSTER will get a better pic.

Sorry that pic sucked bad. XXL loaned me his camera phone for the photo shoot and that's what I got.

 

here are the pics

pic #1 shows you from the top the 2 filling caps and the recovery tank.
take notice of the blue tape on the tank....

pic #2 is more of a close up of the tank and where I placed the tape.
now I had the tape lower, but in checking the other day
without the shop light next to the tank, I added more fluid,
that is why you need good light to see where it is at.

pic #3 I just adjusted the Blue tape line higher to compensate
for me adding more fluid that I had to........
but that is my reference line that I am talking about
and you can see in pics 2 & 3 where the fluid actually is,
and this is with the engine cold.

in pic #1 you really can't tell where the fluid line is,
other than the tape used.
again, that is why you need sufficent lighting
alongside of the tank and the tape to determine where
the coolant really is..........hope this helps......


I don't know how to use arrows to point to the coolant line, but if
you look closely at #2 & #3 you will see the fluid in the tank
just above the top of the blue tape........

now when the engine gets hot the fluid will rise a few " , and
if I overfilled the tank, it will run out of the overflow, and then I will
have to readjust my tape line, but it is fine so far.......
you get the idea.....it works.......

 

i just check it. its cold now and the hose is empty! i guess ill pick up some dex cool in the morning. one thing im surpised about is, its never over heated. it runs at normal temp even in the hot houston summer...

 

Well, based on this thread I decided to check my Coolant today...........Recovery tank was about an inch from the bottom, Opened radiator cap it was full........Filled tank with 50/50 Dex cool and will watch it! No smell, no leaks noted.........I had the car in for service on Dec 4 and they didn't say anything........

 

I bought a 2008 HHR and have the same problem with a faint or at times sudden burst of smell of coolant inside the car. The dealer has replaced a leaky radiator hose, replaced the thermastate, I think the heater core was replaced twice and they have no idea what is wrong since they say they can't smell the faint smell of coolant. They now want it for a few days at the shop to be able to smell it. We drive with our windows down in the zero below weather just not to breathe this in. I would like to know what all came of your coolant smell after you posted. How was this corrected? Also, I have until June of 2011 until my warranty ends so I would like to get to the bottom of this before then. Thanks so much.

 

I have not had the coolant smell for some time. I checked and tighten all hoses and connections and keep a check on the fluid level. So far, so good.
I really can't guide you in any direction, other than when you get the smell, go directly to the dealer if possible, unless they find it happen when they are holding your SS for a few days...........................Tom

 

i have a 2007 ls and i have not check mine in 4 years and my coolant was low in the reserve so i add about half a gallon to it fill the bottle to were it squared out ..i checked for leaks no smell at all,i have good heat car runs about 194 no over heats or anything ,first thing i thought was my water pump was leaking check under and over the car nothing back side of the motor nothing ,maybe when these cars run at the temp the coolant dissipate some how ,but i will probably have it change because i have about 108000 miles on it maybe let the dealer change it out ,any inputs?