Coolant Leak....Head Gasket??????

[BCriste]

I have a 96' 3500 5 speed 193,000miles. The Truck has never been run hot(over 200degrees) always let the truck warm up before driving, always let the truck idle for at least 3min. before shut down, STOCK POWER. The problem is that it apears to be leaking coolant under the thermostat housing between the head and the block. The engine has no water in the oil, no oil in the water, and the cooling system doesn't bubble or pressurize quickly. The truck runs and drives fine. Doesn't run hot, doesn't white smoke or have any other simptoms of a blown head gasket???? After removing the alternator bracket, and turbo to air cleaner boot and cleaning the entire area with brake cleaner, it seems to be comming from the head gasket about 1/2" to the left of (as your lookingfrom the passanger side) of the bottom thermostat housing bolt directly between the head and block. I know anything is possible, but does this sound likely on a truck with stock power???? Any one else have a similar problem???? By the way I do have guages and the truck has never seen over 1000degrees pre turbo and like I said earlier it has never seen over 200..... O. K. maybe 205 degrees... ... Is this problem common on a 12valve cummins. If wanted engine problems at 190k miles I would have bought a gasser... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... O. K. ... ... ... ... Maybe not but this would really put a bad taste in my mouth about the 5. 9CTD.



Thanks for any help guys.

Brian Criste

 

[JJW_ND]

My 96 has been leaking at the same spot you describe for the last 100K miles (212K on the truck now). I sample oil every 6K and I have never found any sign of coolent. I doudt yours is getting in the oil... . all external.



How bad a leak is it? Coolant is pretty cheap! Other then the mess on the engine and smell it should not hurt anything.



You might try a bottle of BarLeak to reduce or stop the leak. Mine leaks more when pulling hard.



I recently did the Barleak and I might have sealed mine. Will see with more miles. If not, I will get the head gasket changed. The replacements are much better (marine gasket) then the factory orginal we have.



jjw

ND

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Common leak location for the 96 truck. I just changed mine for the same reason. However, I had overheated my truck (230 or so) so I was watching for problems.