Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Losing Coolant?

[litespeed]

This post is for my dads truck. Not mine. He has 2000 2500 CTD/auto/3. 55.



He lost most of his coolant 2 weeks ago. It started to get hot but he caught it in time and shut it down. Waited to cool, re-filled and drove it to the dealer. No obvious leaks? Dealer filled and re-checked. They found no leaks as well?



Today he calls me and says the expansion tank is empty again and the coolant is low but not overheating. No obvious signs of leaking?



Any ideas? He says the transmission fluid was changed when it was in the dealer last. He checked it when he got it back. The level was right on the line. Now he says it is way over... Is it possible the trans cooler within the radiator failed? He also says the trans. is hunting in and out of O/D as slow speeds around 40MPH (sounds like it needs the bands adjusted).



I have not been over to see the truck yet so I'll have more info. on Friday when I'm over there.



I just called and asked him to check the engine oil and look for water/coolant in the oil.



If anyone can think of obvious things to check. I would greatly appreciate it.



Thanks,



AJ

 

[BSeitz]

I started loosing coolant about six months ago and cound'nt find any obvious leaks. i'd fill it back up and a week or so later, i'd be low again. tunrs out my 53 block finally cracked. check to see if it is a 53 block on the driver side above the oil pan near the front of the block. good luck. i hope your problem is some thing else.

 

[litespeed]

Thanks for the reply.....



No, thats not it. I was sure he did not get that block when he bought the truck. The block is a good one.



I was reading about it possibly being a bad radiator cap or a bad thermostat housing?



Anyone have anyother ideas?



I'm just hoping the head is not cracked. He does occasionally pull WAY more than he should.



Never had any problems though. Besides a wheel bearing. Truck has 170,000 miles on it.



AJ

 

[BSeitz]

I'm glad you don't have a 53 block. the coolant has to be going some where. if you have a bad head gasket, you should see coolant in the engine oil. if you can smell coolant in the cab, might be a bad heater core. any mods on your dads truck ? what boost psi is it putting out ?

 

[litespeed]

No mods to speak of. I think he may have removed the snokel from the air box and drilled some more holes in it. Other than that, it is bone stock.



He has no gauges. He is still on the original lift pump and VP. I've tried to talk him into getting at least a low fuel pressure warning light to no avail... .



I'll ask him about the heater core. I'm still waiting to hear if he has found anything in the oil.



AJ

 

[Msilbernagel]

litespeed,



You might check the radiator cap, if it's not holding pressure things may be boiling into the expansion and evaporating at an accelerated rate.



Alternative, head-gasket into the oil - where it is boiled off before accumulating anywhere obvious. You could try an inexpensive oil analysis to see if there is anti-freeze in the oil, but in some scenarios it doesn't get into the oil pan.



Freeze plugs? Seen that happen as they corrode in older systems. As with the cracked block, if the leak is small it evaporates quickly and leaves little evidence behind.



My thoughts,



Mark

-

This post is for my dads truck. Not mine. He has 2000 2500 CTD/auto/3. 55.



He lost most of his coolant 2 weeks ago. It started to get hot but he caught it in time and shut it down. Waited to cool, re-filled and drove it to the dealer. No obvious leaks? Dealer filled and re-checked. They found no leaks as well?



Today he calls me and says the expansion tank is empty again and the coolant is low but not overheating. No obvious signs of leaking?



Any ideas? He says the transmission fluid was changed when it was in the dealer last. He checked it when he got it back. The level was right on the line. Now he says it is way over... Is it possible the trans cooler within the radiator failed? He also says the trans. is hunting in and out of O/D as slow speeds around 40MPH (sounds like it needs the bands adjusted).



I have not been over to see the truck yet so I'll have more info. on Friday when I'm over there.



I just called and asked him to check the engine oil and look for water/coolant in the oil.



If anyone can think of obvious things to check. I would greatly appreciate it.



Thanks,



AJ

 

[litespeed]

Thanks to all for the help and replies!!



I think we have a winner! Oo.



He went to start the truck today. Windows were fogged up. Turned on A/C and defroster to get rid of fog. Strong coolant smell coming from the vents.



Heater core or broken hose right?



He had the dashboard replaced about 5 months ago. I'm wondering if the dealer forgot to hook something up or screwed something up?



More than likely... ..... I'm thinking.....



AJ