[azxiphoid]

Hey all - 1st time poster. Hopefully this helps another fellow Volt owner. We searched the web and forum for another post or recall on this issue but found no posts.
The Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Upper Radiator Hose failed, and a slow leak eventually drained the coolant. The 1st Gen Volt does not have an engine temp for the display, only a MIL message 'Engine Overheat'. This happened to my son while he was driving, the head warped and resulted in coolant in the crankcase and exhaust. We had to replace the engine. It was a great Father-Son-Family project, but we hope to inform other Volt owners in hopes to avoid very expensive repairs. There is a plastic check valve in the hose that corroded and started to leak slowly, undetected. We recommend that the factory check valve is cut out and replaced with an aluminum valve. It is a $10 part, and easy to install. Shout out to cory151, his post was very helpful and inspirational! We will post pics and links soon.

 

[Steverino]

Thanks for posting!

Also, the manual recommends checking the fluid levels under the hood once a month. Takes 30 seconds, can save a lot of time and money whether there is a slow leak or a major leak.

 

[Barry]

Great tip, thanks. Just to clarify, you wrote that the hose failed and you also wrote that the check valve failed. Did you have two failures, or was there just one failure, (the valve)?

Also, to give others a head start on the upgrade, if you can recommend a part number for the new valve, that could be helpful. Also did you use new hose? Diameter, length?

 

[azxiphoid]

Just one. The factory hose has an integrated plastic check valve located near the radiator. The check valve nipple failed on the reservoir side of the valve. We called the local dealer with the part #, and there was no stock of this hose at any dealers or GM warehouses nation wide. The hose is 5/16" and you need about 2'. Here is a description of the check valve we used, you can do a search: 8mm 5/16" Fuel Non Return One Way Check Valve Petrol Diesel Aluminium Alloy. Tip - the arrow on the valve should point to the reservoir.

 

[1FlyVolt]

Great input. What is the part you used? link?

 

[azxiphoid]

1FlyVolt - unfortunately our post count is too low to allow us to post a link. Do a search @ Amazon.com, copy and paste this description and you should be able to find the valve: 8mm 5/16" Fuel Non Return One Way Check Valve Petrol Diesel Aluminium Alloy

 

[1FlyVolt]

thanks that worked

 

[Miredian]

Wow, so after reading this and being aware of the part in question, I did nothing yet, as my valve looked fine. Last week my passenger headlight bulb burned out and after watching YouTube videos of how to change that bulb I learned one thing. I noticed persons in the video pulling and roughly tugging on the radiator hose you mention, that is between the headlight bulb cover and air filter box. I might hazard a guess that the damage you had may be caused by someone pulling on that hose may have cracked the valve, due to stress. Thank you for posting and making me aware of just how critical this part is. I was very cautious when working that hose around the housing. All went well. I will always keep this part concern and check frequently as I never really run the engine.