Coolant loss

[TCrouch]

I have a 2004. 5 Dodge 2500 SB. I have changed the oil every 3,500 miles. Everytime I change the oil I notice the coolant level has dropped. I now have 19,300 miles on it and the coolant tank level is below the add mark. I have never added any coolant. I am new to this site and I have reviewed some past threads but am still unsure if this is normal consumption for a Diesel or not. I have looked it over very carefully and find no external leaks on the engine.

 

[GerryDrake]

Leak

Check closely on the right side of the block, under the area of the oil filter for signs of leakage. For several years now they have had a problem with the block heater not being screwed in tight enough. Mine lost about 1/2 gallon before I took it to a dealer and had them tighten it up. Many others have had the same problem

 

[TCrouch]

I have looked there no evidence of a leak?

 

[jwilliams3]

Check the side plugs on the passenger side of the engine.

They take an allen head, one of mine was a little loose and leaking some coolant.

 

[rbattelle]

The coolant level takes some time to stabilize when the system is first filled (at the factory or during a coolant flush operation). One of the manuals (I forget if it's the service manual or the owners manual) specifically warns that it will take some time for the system to come to equilibrium, and level must be checked regularly. My truck did exactly the same thing as yours: coolant level dropped slowly over a period of many miles. I added some makeup coolant once, and it has been quite stable ever since.



I'd add some coolant to bring the recovery tank into the middle region and keep an eye on it.



-Ryan

 

[Kirwin]

Coolant level

I agree with Ryan. After I got my 03 I had the dealer refill the bottle twice from the low to the high mark. Then it still slowly went down so I bought a bottle of the red stuff. Haven't used it since but it took quite a while to get her full up such that the bottle remained between the low and high marks. Ken Irwin

 

[Gray 5.9]

I've had to add coolant to mine ,and it also has used some. but it used it very slowly. I was worried that it might be getting in the oil from somewhere and checked at every oil change, water pump didn't show no signs, looked at the engine block all over , and radiator. It seems to have stop going down in the resevoir for now. Is it just cavatation from when new?

 

[rbattelle]

It seems to have stop going down in the resevoir for now. Is it just cavatation from when new?

Cavitation has little to do with coolant loss (at least my definition of cavitation). To me, cavitation occurs on the suction side of a water pump blade when the local pressure drops below the vapor pressure of the coolant. This causes water vapor to form. Same thing happens to boat propellers.



My personal opinion is that the system gradually bleeds out air pockets over time, after the factory fill or a flush. As the air escapes, the system siphons makeup water from the overflow reservoir.



Evaporation may also play some part (very small part, at best).



-Ryan

 

[TCrouch]

Well I will top it off and see what happens. Thanks guy's