Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) coolant low again

[hammersley]

I'm going to keep track this time - but it seems that 6 months ago - which would have been ~25,000 miles ago my plastic jug was low - today I added about 2/3's of a gallon of coolant - NO Leaks - and the oil is black as coal! Where is is going???????

 

[illflem]

Leaking freeze plug?

Sometimes the coolant won't drip but evaporates on the side of the hot block. Look for a white trail running down the side of the block.

 

[rashwor]

That is so little...

loss over that time, I doubt that is anything to worry about. Mine has used a little coolant over time about like yours. No leaks and oil is always fine. I chocked it up to just the way these engines work. This has been the case with both my '99 and '92 Cummins.



Possible leaks to check for include: head gasket = water /oil mix or running down the side of the block, leaking freeze plug = water running down the side of the block, water pump = weep hole or front seal showing signs of a small leak, hoses, radiator.

 

[Oil Burner]

Check around the t-stat for leaks. I had one on the gasket of the t-stat as well. Also, do you use your block heater? mine seemed to use a small amount of coolant during the winter with the block heater in use.

-Jason

 

[BHaner]

Coolant Leak

I had a crack in the side of my radiator that had the same symptoms... Took about a week to find it.



Old Thread

 

[Motorhead]

My 01. 5 did the same thing too and I posted, worried like you also. It seems to be the way they do. Once I topped it off, it never used any again