Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hidden coolant leak!

[BarlowCummins]

I have found that my truck is leaking coolant, it lools like it may of started leaking from above because everything is rusty and the trail of rust leads down the engine. There is no coolant on the garage floor so i am thinking it may not be that big or i would have noticed sooner, please advise me where to look for a leak. thhhanks.

 

[Diesel Gunner]

After I changed my coolant I was adding to it each time from a cold start thinking that I was still purging air out of the block. This continued for about a week. I had the truck nosed into the garage and was doing something else when I noticed that coolant was slowly dripping onto the floor.



As I inspected to determine its source, I found that it was coming from the line going to the overflow tank right at the cap. I removed the line and there were no apparent cracks or splits. I then noticed that the overflow end of the hose had a clamp on it, but not the radiator end.



So, I installed a clamp on the radiator end, topped off with coolant and have not had to add since. BTW, no air in radiator either.



You were not specific on the location of your leak, so I hope that this helps.

 

[BarlowCummins]

After i ran the truck tonight i noticed that the leak is coming from bottom of the head in front of the motor. Could it be the head gasket? Please help.

 

[Bandit1]

sounds like a headgasket, right around the thermostat, correct? at least you can find your coolant leak, mine is stil a mystery. i have found that it is blowing out the overflow bottle but only on certain occasions.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Bandit1



Yours sounds like a blown headgsket, too. You're pressurizing the water jacket and blowing coolant out the recovery bottle.



I could be full of it, but MAN, does that sound familiar!



Brian

 

[Bandit1]

that is what i thought also, so i had it checked by 2 diesel mechanics and they both said nope not a headgasket. so it has been doing it for a few months now, nothing i can do except keep driving it until i get a positive problem. thanks for the input

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Sure sounds like a blown head gasket to me. I would suggest that you take a sample of your coolant and have it analyzed. If you get high sulphur then you have a combustion leak into the water jacket.

 

[Bandit1]

that is the funny thing, i have had the system pressure tested 2 times, it didnt have a leak and then on eof the mechanics sampled the coolant for presence of exhaust gas prob 10 times while it was cold and also after i ran it hard. i dont understand.

 

[Sticks]

I had the exact same problem on the wifes 6cyl mustang. Pressure tested OK, changed out the water pump and thermostat, and flushed the system, but kept overheating every other trip and blowing out the overflow. The head gaskets,#1 & #2 cyl were bad, both at the ring for the cylinders. Finally got to the point that the exhaust smelled "sweet" and the plugs were getting a green tint. Got luck and the heads did not warp.



I wonder if you could pull the injector on your truck and see if it is getting the telltale green tint?

 

[Sticks]

... Is your engine a #53 block?

 

[Bandit1]

yes, and i have searched for a crack or any discolor on the block and have found none. i am pulling the injectors here anyday, as soon as i get time to put in some bigger ones. thanks for the replys

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Hope you find the coolant leak. Those bigger injectors are just going to aggravate it, though.

 

[OTRPU]

If it's the head gasket, replace it fast. I didn't and now I'm getting a brandy new engine.



Cheers,

Steve J.

 

[DHatfield]

My truck does the same thing blowing coolant out the overflow bottle, need to fix the head gasket and o-ring the head now.

 

[Jakebud]

Have you taken a look at the freeze plugs? Had one go on me back in September, and I had initially thought head gasket too.