Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Coolant Ghost

[AWallace]

Recently I was in my shop and happen to look under my truck and saw some coolant on the floor. I checked everything that could leak on the passenger side as that is where the coolant was. It had run along the top of the block where the oil pan bolts are. The only place I could find it coming from was the water pump, but it was not weeping at this time. I have checked the weep hole and it was open and dry and have checked it several times since and it was still dry. I checked with Advance Auto Parts on a pump $59. 00 with life time warranty. The truck is a 1995 T D 5 speed with 56,000 miles and is mostly used to pull a 9000 lb 5th wheel RV. I have driven the truck about 500 miles since then with no leaks. In Oct. I changed the coolant, but that is par for the course, something always happens like this after you spend 20. 00 + dollars for Antifreeze and dis. water. Several months ago I heard a small chirp, but thought it was the belt and changed that. Could it have been the waterpump? Has any one else had this problem?



Also I would like to upgrade my power (just a little) as those steep grades get pretty nasty sometimes what would be safe.

 

[JohnE]

There's a small 90° elbow on top of the thermostat housing that's often overlooked. Could be here.



Are you sure the radiator cap isn't venting excess coolant back to the overflow bottle which then over flows?



A leak from heater hoses can wick forward too.

I located a small leak at a heater line on the rear of the block. Didn't leak anti-freeze but it did bleed air into the system.



Good luck on finding it soon. While the Dodge CTD has an oversized cooling system running one low is VERY hard on components from thescale build up.



Upgrade

For your truck a governor spring kit (GSK) and #10 plate is outstanding.

 

[AWallace]

I have checked all of the hoses including the small hose. I changed that one about 2 years ago it looked like it had dry rot. I believe the coolant came from the water pump. I have changed a lot of them but most of the time when they start leaking they don't stop. It is full of coolant . It probably did not lose a half cup.



Thanks for the information about the up grades. I have thought about a TST kit before but hated to mess with the engine. It runs so good and does find until I hit those long grades with my RV. Usely I pull in 5th gear and run about 62-65 running about 1800 RPM's. About 3 years ago I was in South Tx and hit a head wind of 35 MPH and had to pull in 4th.



Andrew

 

[crabman]

Upgrades

Andrew,

JohnE is right on the upgrades.

First=gauges

Second=TST Plate & gov. spring kit

HERE

I would also recommend a different air filter.

ENTIRELY different truck to drive & you will be :--)

crabman

 

[AWallace]

Thanks for the information on the upgrades. It was my waterpump I findly saw it seeping a small amount from the weep hole.