Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) loosing coolant. Head gasket time??

[Lnwing]

The last few weeks my truck has been losing an increasing amount of coolant, but I could not see where it was going. Today, however, I found a small puddle under the truck. Tracing it upward, it appears to be coming from the right side(passenger) above the oil cooler. The block is wet and slimy there.

Can this be anything but a head gasket problem??

The oil doesn't appear to be contaminated, although I've not had it tested yet. If I watch coolant levels, is it safe to drive? Snow is headed our way, and this thing's gotta work!



Lynn

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

It could be the gaskets on the T-stat housing or an oil cooler gasket. More than likely its the head gasket right behing the T-stat housing. I just got through changing my 95's head gasket and there wasn't much left in that area. External water leak only. . Mine leaked in that spot for about 50k miles. You might try changing the T-stat housing gaskets to be sure that is not where it is coming from. Good luck

 

[Lnwing]

Thanks for the reply, Pumperdude.

As soon as I can take the plow off, I'll clean up the engine to try to pinpoint the leak, but it probably is the head gasket. At 191K I guess there's really no reason to be upset about it.



Lynn

 

[GAmes]

Mine was leaking too

I currently have my head off for the same reason (173k). I was told by a Cummins mech in Eugene, Or. that the leak in that area is pretty common but will do no harm. I decided to change it out after OTRPU blew his engine up, due to a coolant leak. While I have it off I am changing my valve springs to 60 pounders in anticipation of one day installing a 3k GSK. I just changed out my fuel lines a year ago or I would be doing that now too. They are real easy to get to now. I posted some lessons learned a couple of weeks ago, do a search if you are interested. One other thing I found was the two rearmost head bolts had some rust on them, indicating the rear part of the gasket also was leaking.



Gary