I just joined a growing list of 2004 XLR owners who recently noticed a small puddle of antifreeze under their car.

After taking my car in to the dealer last week, it was replaced at no cost to me whatsoever UNDER THE EXISTING 4 YEAR Factory Warranty).

I only mention this because many of the early owners and 2nd purchasers of 2004's may be at or nearing the end of their warranty coverage.

I would really hate to have to pay for a new radiator out of my pocket for one of these cars. So be on the look out for antifreeze puddles and don't put off getting into the dealer if you do have a "puddle occurance".

Oh, Lord .... I'm thinking that is what is under Lola .... was it kind of an orangish color?

If they replace the radiator, my service history tells me that this will be the 3rd one. ....

The seat adjuster also broke on our last trip .... :eek

RA

Yup Runny Orange!!!!

HO,HO, HO !!!

Yup Runny Orange!!!!

HO,HO, HO !!!

Cr*p. :cry

Cr*p. :cry
WELL IF YOU PLAY IT RIGHT you can get one of those new CTS's to drive for a day or so while they are fixing yours.

It holds more packages from your XMAS shopping trips especially that BIG ONE you got for me!!!

WELL IF YOU PLAY IT RIGHT you can get one of those new CTS's to drive for a day or so while they are fixing yours.

It holds more packages from your XMAS shopping trips especially that BIG ONE you got for me!!!

My dealer doesn't offer Cadillac's ... they send out for rental cars and I usually get stuck with some type of SUV ..... and I think I have been pretty clear on my stance about trucks .... I don't like them. Repeating myself here, I know ... but I am tired of fighting the battles at the dealership ..... :mad

I'm thinking that although we will keep Lola for a long time ... I will not buy another X ..... I have to confess that I am thinking along the 'vette line for my next DD. (Did I just hear thunder??) :jester

The X is a lot to maintain unless you always have one under warranty. And we don't lease cars ....

I feel like I just threw up a white flag ... or maybe a red one?? :reddevil

RA

HEY!! HEY!!

Enough of THAT talk!!! :nono :nono

The only answer to your concern, Ruthie, is to get a new one every four years--pretty simple when you think about it!

Remember, it'll never be the same in a Vette!! I speak of much experience!

Just find a dealer who is a little more kind and understanding to the people who are ready to pony up the bucks for one of these buggies!!!

Floyd

Ruth Ann you know that I will still Love you:D

Don't get excited now, Bobo has a cure, at least a cheaper cure. Most of these leaks are at the bottom or top of the radiator on the long top/bottom piece. I had it on my 04 and all it took was a tack weld to stop it.
It usually is not in the center core. They gave me a choice of waiting for a new radiater or the tack weld. Worked out ok for me with the tack. Go to a radiater shop.
BoboCr*p. :cry

OK, I think I know why the seat adjuster gave out, but I'm not saying, Raaaaaaaaaaaay.Bobo
Oh, Lord .... I'm thinking that is what is under Lola .... was it kind of an orangish color?

If they replace the radiator, my service history tells me that this will be the 3rd one. ....

The seat adjuster also broke on our last trip .... :eek

RA

OK, I think I know why the seat adjuster gave out, but I'm not saying, Raaaaaaaaaaaay.Bobo

Not nice :nono

RA

Our 04 boy's radiator split and had a lovely redish leak 2 weeks ago, so I just had it replaced. :(
But he is all better now:) Mea

WELL IF YOU PLAY IT RIGHT you can get one of those new CTS's to drive for a day or so while they are fixing yours.

It holds more packages from your XMAS shopping trips especially that BIG ONE you got for me!!!


It's CHRISTMAS....Not xmas. Please.

Thank you.


Regards,

Elfred

Well, it looks as though I just paid $$$$$$$$$$ for a new one on the '04 that I just got back. :mad :eek :banghead :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss

Well, it looks as though I just paid $$$$$$$$$$ for a new one on the '04 that I just got back. :mad :eek :banghead :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss

Out of warranty?

When you consider that my '04 has now got 110,477 miles on it, as of last Friday when I droped it off at the dealer. The last time my mechanic saw it, which was 3 years ago last Thursday.

This happened on my 05 radiator. They replaced it under warranty with a new one. Joe at Claude Nolan in JAX has advised me that this is the same radiator that is in the Vette, but they only seem to be experiencing issues in the XLR and not the Vette from what he has been advised. He stated "this radiator has had a high failure rate".

Just adding my 2 cents.

Dah? when did you bleach your hair?.............over 130,000 miles? hee hee! BobbbboOut of warranty?

Dah? when did you bleach your hair?.............over 130,000 miles? hee hee! Bobbbbo

So Bob, is that how many miles you have on your's???? Why that's 19,523, give or take a mile or two, miles more then I have on my '04! :lol :D :jester :reddevil :reddevil :glol :glol :glol

Wow, I didn't know this was an epidemic! I noticed the Low Coolant message the last time i drove it. I'll have to check by the radiator for leaks!

The radiator in my base 04 was replaced with the bigger one (from the V series) a year or so ago.

Dah? when did you bleach your hair?.............over 130,000 miles? hee hee! Bobbbbo

Must have missed the High miles..LOL:rolleyes
M:eek

Wow, I didn't know this was an epidemic! I noticed the Low Coolant message the last time i drove it. I'll have to check by the radiator for leaks!
Scary. I also had the Low Coolant light come on a couple of times a few days ago. I topped-off the fluids and the message hasn't returned.

I haven't noticed a leak, but then again the car is usually over the spot........now I'll check for sure, probably in the morning after it's driven the night before. I'll maybe lay out some news paper as an indicatior.

"X" is an old symbol representing "Christ" so Xmas is OK.

Ed:

If you want it to be Xmas or Smeckmas it's up to you what you call it.

PLEASE Ed, it's Christmas or kids day and Santa and all that.
"X" is an old symbol representing "Christ" so Xmas is OK.

From Wikipedia:

The word Christmas originated as a contraction of "Christ's mass". It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038, compounded from Old English derivatives of the Greek christos and the Latin missa.[1] In early Greek versions of the New Testament, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ. Since the mid-16th century Χ, or the similar Roman letter X, was used as an abbreviation for Christ.[2] Hence, Xmas is often used as an abbreviation for Christmas.

After the conversion of Anglo-Saxon Britain in the very early 7th century, Christmas was referred to as geol,[1] the name of the pre-Christian solstice festival from which the current English word 'Yule' is derived.[3]


Complete definition here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

Now; Merry Christmas/Xmas to you all and remember why we celebrate - not what we call it.

From Wikipedia:

The word Christmas originated as a contraction of "Christ's mass". It is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse, a phrase first recorded in 1038, compounded from Old English derivatives of the Greek christos and the Latin missa.[1] In early Greek versions of the New Testament, the letter Χ (chi), is the first letter of Christ. Since the mid-16th century Χ, or the similar Roman letter X, was used as an abbreviation for Christ.[2] Hence, Xmas is often used as an abbreviation for Christmas.

After the conversion of Anglo-Saxon Britain in the very early 7th century, Christmas was referred to as geol,[1] the name of the pre-Christian solstice festival from which the current English word 'Yule' is derived.[3]


Complete definition here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

Now; Merry Christmas/Xmas to you all and remember why we celebrate - not what we call it.

That may be true, but, in our home, it is CHRISTMAS, so MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!!!:angel :angel

Oh give it a rest................why don't you tell these folks the truth - you started whining to open presents two weeks a go. :mad

Officially, PD5150 refers to the holiday as $$$Mas Day! :thumbs

The happiest day for her, the brokest day for me...............is brokest a word? If not, it should be. :yesnod :nodno :yesnod

Well, another hi-jacked thread ..... and it wasn't me this time! :lol

San Diego is SO diverse, that it is Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah ..... and largely Feliz Navidad!

So ..... should this thread get back to leaking radiators??? :crazy Because, mine is. :eek

RA

Hey Grinch..............I told you to take it to a radiator shop and they'll fix it for nothing. Well, almost nothing.
And everybody stop picking on my new friend Elfred in NC

Feliz NavidadWell, another hi-jacked thread ..... and it wasn't me this time! :lol

San Diego is SO diverse, that it is Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah ..... and largely Feliz Navidad!

So ..... should this thread get back to leaking radiators??? :crazy Because, mine is. :eek

RA

Hey, not picking on anyone, just spreading a little Christmas Facts with some cheer! Now, just FYI - before we lemoned the '04, it also was leaking a few drops from the bottom seam, but we figured we would let the next owner worry about that along with the problematic roof, we jokingly referred to as Freddy Krugar.

Hey Grinch..............I told you to take it to a radiator shop and they'll fix it for nothing.

Haha, not a Grinch with anything but my time!

I don't know how I ever found time to raise the girls, work fulltime and still get all of the holiday stuff done ... now that I am retired it seems the time just goes faster than ever :cry

The radiator just has to wait until after Christmas .... the coolant is just dripping at this point .... just enough to annoy Ray! :glol

RA

Hey, MSwaim .... was that a black leaking 04 that you lemoned????

You guys won't believe this...(maybe you will) Ella pulled the X out of the garage to go shopping and I had to stop her. A puddle of red liquid was on the ground underneath where the radiator was when parked!

Needless to say we ran it right over to Hendrick Cadillac. They will have to order a new radiator and yes they replace it with a V radiator. This is a bummer as we will not get the car back until after Christmas. :(

Kinda glad though...we could have gotten stuck somewhere overheated. Good thing I read this thread, as it was on my mind when El pulled the car out.

Our X has 37k on it and we were told it would be covered under warranty. :yesnod

BTW, thanks Bob:thumbs

Regards,

Elfred

Well, it's beginning to look like a club :eek

Elfred .... don't forget to fill out the survey at the top of this thread .... you are now one of the chosen ... :cry

RA

Yes it does Ruth Ann. Just think now you can say you belong to another the club. "The Radiator Club" Just about 50%, wow, that's alot.
Use your PM if your email has been hacked, at least with the forum members.
BoboWell, it's beginning to look like a club :eek

Elfred .... don't forget to fill out the survey at the top of this thread .... you are now one of the chosen ... :cry

RA

FWIW:

My understanding is that there is only 1 radiator now. So XLR's and XLR-V's will get the same radiator in every case. (Inventory Conservation)

I am pleased my post has saved at least a few people!!

Yes it does Ruth Ann. Just think now you can say you belong to another the club. "The Radiator Club" Just about 50%, wow, that's alot.

Bobo

Well, I'm told that the coolant was leaking at a line nut that goes to the pump. .... and that it is being repaired ... and that the line is being purged of air now and will be ready tomorrow morning ...

I have my fingers crossed ... we will be crossing the desert again in a couple of weeks ....... :eek

BTW .... has anyone been told this: Lola was running, we thought, hot .... reading about 220 ..... the tech wanted to know what OUR normal was .... isn't there a normal for the car?? I've never heard of individual cars having individual "normal" readings .... will someone please comment on this? tX

RA

:banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead When are you going to change dealers? You promised you would. Just think, you have a tech that doesn't know what the normal temp is on a XLR? Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Well, I'm told that the coolant was leaking at a line nut that goes to the pump. .... and that it is being repaired ... and that the line is being purged of air now and will be ready tomorrow morning ...

I have my fingers crossed ... we will be crossing the desert again in a couple of weeks ....... :eek

BTW .... has anyone been told this: Lola was running, we thought, hot .... reading about 220 ..... the tech wanted to know what OUR normal was .... isn't there a normal for the car?? I've never heard of individual cars having individual "normal" readings .... will someone please comment on this? tX

RA

:banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead When are you going to change dealers? You promised you would. Just think, you have a tech that doesn't know what the normal temp is on a XLR? Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

I have no choice unless I want to run my car up to your part of the state ... and that's not an option for us! As big as San Diego is you would think there would be more than 2 dealers with qualified (?) techs .... :cry

Well, I'm told that the coolant was leaking at a line nut that goes to the pump. .... and that it is being repaired ... and that the line is being purged of air now and will be ready tomorrow morning ...

I have my fingers crossed ... we will be crossing the desert again in a couple of weeks ....... :eek

BTW .... has anyone been told this: Lola was running, we thought, hot .... reading about 220 ..... the tech wanted to know what OUR normal was .... isn't there a normal for the car?? I've never heard of individual cars having individual "normal" readings .... will someone please comment on this? tX

RA


Hey RA....when you said running hot it now comes to mind that when we were coming back from BG I noticed the temp guage hovering about 220. I thought that was a little high and I was right. We got the car back with the new radiator and now at speed it is in the 210 range. I wonder if the higher temp reading indicates a problem is on it's way?

Regards,

Elfred

Hey RA....when you said running hot it now comes to mind that when we were coming back from BG I noticed the temp guage hovering about 220. I thought that was a little high and I was right. We got the car back with the new radiator and now at speed it is in the 210 range. I wonder if the higher temp reading indicates a problem is on it's way?

Regards,

Elfred

Thanks E ....

That was sort of my question .... I was wondering if 220 was high for the X.... or just mine.

O' Come on darlin, you and Ray love to take trips, Tustin is only about 80 miles for you.I have no choice unless I want to run my car up to your part of the state ... and that's not an option for us! As big as San Diego is you would think there would be more than 2 dealers with qualified (?) techs .... :cry

O' Come on darlin, you and Ray love to take trips, Tustin is only about 80 miles for you.

80 miles to have my car serviced??? I don't think so .... :nono

Got Lola back today ... she's running so awesome. Left the dealership and was coming home on the I-8 ... Rod Stewart was crooning me some tunes .... gosh, how I love that car. Zooooooom! :thumbs

PS Standby .... did you notice that my new avatar is NOT Lola? It is the V that was at the car show .... and I agree about the velcro seats .... not so easy to slide your bu*t across!

Somethings I can do and some not so good. I don't know how to expand an avatar to see a bigger pic.
Gee I don't have any trouble with my skinny bu*t. I just slip in like a glove.
Jay bought me an electric picture frame that you can load pics into with either your stick from a camera or from your computer and set it to go off and on at a precise time and then roll the pics just like screensavers at different speeds. You would love this since your a picture nut.
Bobo 80 miles to have my car serviced??? I don't think so .... :nono

Got Lola back today ... she's running so awesome. Left the dealership and was coming home on the I-8 ... Rod Stewart was crooning me some tunes .... gosh, how I love that car. Zooooooom! :thumbs

PS Standby .... did you notice that my new avatar is NOT Lola? It is the V that was at the car show .... and I agree about the velcro seats .... not so easy to slide your bu*t across!

PS Standby .... did you notice that my new avatar is NOT Lola? It is the V that was at the car show .... and I agree about the velcro seats .... not so easy to slide your bu*t across!

Thank you, Ruthie, I rest my case. . . :cheers

Floyd

Thank you, Ruthie, I rest my case. . . :cheers

Floyd

Ahh, Floyd, it was such a pretty little thing ... ! You should know ... you have one EXACTLY like it!

Here's the thing ...... the steering wheel and the different seats, and of course, the different color of wood, made me feel like I was sitting in a whole different car. (not Lola) I like the subtle changes that they've made to the V ... they kept the integrity of the classic ... :thumbs

You guys are blaming the suede for most, Velcro for Floyd and you have not considered it could be......................................?:glol :glol :glol :glol :glol :glol Thank you, Ruthie, I rest my case. . . :cheers

Floyd

You guys are blaming the suede for most, Velcro for Floyd and you have not considered it could be......................................?:glol :glol :glol :glol :glol :glol

Bobbo,

Not quite sure what you're trying say. . . Still hitting the holiday cheer???? :confused :confused

Floyd

Ruth Ann figured it out. Let's just say, stand with your back to a mirror and then look over your shoulder. I don't have to look over my shoulder to see my big belly, which doesn't have to slide across the seat. Do we get it now?
Happy New Years Mary Ann & Floyd. What is your New Years resolution? Mine is to eat less and get a six pack. No, not beer, stomach.:glol :glol :glol :glol :glol
Bobbo,

Not quite sure what you're trying say. . . Still hitting the holiday cheer???? :confused :confused

Floyd

I had the red X out today since its clear and 50!! WOW!! Then finishing up my yr end car files on all my cars and noticed that the X Radiator WAS replaced! I thought it was not but it was done in 05 at 14k miles by previous owner! So someone change my vote PLEASE to yes it was replaced! Thanks jim f

No, not even after 3 months.
Bruce

Mine started leaking last week, 2004, 12k miles. I take it to the cadillac dealer tomorrow, oh boy. :rolleyes . Well if it didnt happen I wouldnt have found this forum, so at least some good came of it. :yesnod

In the process of replacing my 2004 radiator right now. Cars not under warranty, so its a bit of a bump at close to $800. They did say they will use the XLR-V radiator, since thats all they make anymore anyway, (I wonder why that is :rolleyes ). I must thank all those in the forum, for the information that made me apppear fairly educated to the cadillac service dept. Not to mention made me fully aware that the leak was the radiator, and how to carefully get ti to the repair dept.

On a second note, I was curious what you guys thought, or any advice you all may have on writing a letter to ask why the 2004 base XLR radiator wouldnt be covered, or possibly discounted, under some sort of recall when it apparently has such a high failure percentage? Thanks in advance.

In the process of replacing my 2004 radiator right now. Cars not under warranty, so its a bit of a bump at close to $800. They did say they will use the XLR-V radiator, since thats all they make anymore anyway, (I wonder why that is :rolleyes ). I must thank all those in the forum, for the information that made me apppear fairly educated to the cadillac service dept. Not to mention made me fully aware that the leak was the radiator, and how to carefully get ti to the repair dept.

On a second note, I was curious what you guys thought, or any advice you all may have on writing a letter to ask why the 2004 base XLR radiator wouldnt be covered, or possibly discounted, under some sort of recall when it apparently has such a high failure percentage? Thanks in advance.


HELL YEA!!!! ASK THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER TO CONTACT CADILLAC ABOUT COVERING ALL OF THE COST!!!!! IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. ALL THEY CAN SAY IS NO . BUT I SEROUSLY DOUBT THAT.

I'll bet you get it covered. Please let us know how it comes out.

Good Luck

Just sent mine off to the dealer after noticing a low coolant message and a small orange puddle under the car, thank god it happened now before the 05 came out of warranty in December!!! Seems to be a universal issue for 04/05's

I know i am jynxing myself but no leaks, no problems, all is good on my 05. Great car, fun to drive fast. I have to drive it or leave the battery tender hooked up if it sits longer than 2-3 weeks. It only has 7,000 miles.

..

Lola had radiator number 3 replaced today ....

'found coolant puddle yesterday .... made my appointment for this morning .... the service dept actually had a radiator in stock :cool and I got her back at 4:30!

Do I have the only 4 year old car with 3 radiators??? :rolleyes

RA:angel

3 is a charm, you lucky lady.
Maybe doggy went potty under the car.:banghead
This is why we have to buy that warranty. I really hate to see this. Is this what American quality has come too?
BoboLola had radiator number 3 replaced today ....

'found coolant puddle yesterday .... made my appointment for this morning .... the service dept actually had a radiator in stock :cool and I got her back at 4:30!

Do I have the only 4 year old car with 3 radiators??? :rolleyes

RA:angel

3 is a charm, you lucky lady.
Maybe doggy went potty under the car.:banghead
This is why we have to buy that warranty. I really hate to see this. Is this what American quality has come too?
Bobo
Lola and Bob:

I am wondering if they are using up the older stock and not putting in the newer "V" radiator that is now the replacement item for "V"'s and XLR's.

Maybe a quick check of the part number before the radiator gets road dirt on it will confirm which one was used this time. (Sorry Ray you'll have to get back under the car again)

Just a thought.

Yep just like I said above, back in June, I jynxed myself. Backed the X out of the garage today after about 6 weeks of sitting and sure enough, the dredded orange puddle, not just drops. called my cad dealer, told him about the forum and all the other xlr's that have had there radiators replaced. It goes in Thursday for dealer inspection. Hope to get the new "larger" radiator. and guess what warranty is up in Jun so at least it happend before its 4th birthday. I will get the extended warranty!

I am sorry for your loss...of fluid but isn't it nice that you know exactly what needs to be done to correct the problem AND that it won't cost you anything due to the warranty.

Please read my other posts about the loose coolant hose clamps and the water pump so that they can be checked out while you are there.

Regards

yes, this forum is great. its nice to know what can go wrong and what to look for. i keep my eye out for all of the things that have proven to go wrong just to stay one step ahead of the dealer. thanks again everybody!

ok, checked over car yesterday and could not find leak, was not leaking anywhere. took car to dealer today, they put up on rack and couldnt find anything, pressure checked it and all good. added 6oz of anti freeze and all is good to go. do i have gremlins??? Car is not leaking now! I did have the dreaded orange leakage in the garage, and those 6oz went somewhere. just keeping everyone posted.

dunerider,
I've got an O4 and i have the same problem. Took it to the dealer and they did all the same stuff they did for you, still never found out where the antifreeze went or did it go anywhere? I'm baffled but I don't see it as a big deal. Just one of the quirks about the fabulous XLR!!!

Darrell

Not Gremlins but close, over the years, we have seen 5 XLRs start to leak from the radiator the day after it was brought in. What usually happends, is after the vehicle sits overnight and the radiator gets to room temp, the seam leaks due to the metal contracting exposing a gap, where the side reservoir tanks are welded to the radiator core.

Usually on the left lower corner of the Radiator. Thats the reason all 2007 XLRs received the larger XLR-V radiator as standard equipment. When a radiator is replaced on an 04/06 regular XLR, it is repaced with the same larger radiator.

It is quite a site to see a car up in the air for 24 hours, and then it starts to leak.

www.Cadillac-XLR.com (http://www.Cadillac-XLR.com)

Thanks
Allen

Happy Monday,

Just checked in the garage and noticed the dreaded coolant leak in my 04 at 24K miles. Will talk to the dealer in the AM. Had been trouble-free for some time.

LWM

We as you have determined you are due for the dreaded radiator replacement. They should be using the XLR-V radiator now.

Hopefully you have a factory warranty.

Regards

Took the XLR in this AM to the dealer in Northern Va (Moore Cadillac). The dealer is installing a new V Radiator under Warranty. It is a very good day.

LWM

GOOD FOR YOU!!!

It won't give you any more trouble.

Regards