Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Blown Head Gasket??

[rogerblind]

I have recently noticed a minor drop in my coolant level (from just under Full to just above Add). Not sure time period involved. Anyone know what signs I should look for to determine if it could be a head gasket problem? I've Googled it, but am not sure if things might be different with a diesel.

 

[georgej]

You can have a mechanic use a "sniffer" to test the coolant for combustion gasses that would help determine if the head gasket is leaking internally. Visually check around the head/block interface and from underneath from back of head for an external leak. Check the water pump and for loose hoses and for coolant odors in the cab or from the defrosters. Also check the coolant reservoir for crack that seep. Have your oil anaylized by a lab to see if the oil cooler is leaking... I did all this stuff trying to find out why the coolant level continued to drop after each rv trip and nothing worked until I put on a new radiator cap!