Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) More dissapearing coolant

[DSeamans]

I have joined the dissapearing coolant group. I put dye in and after 300miles no sign of leak. No coolant in oil either. I haven't seen any bubbles in radiator as sign of leak directly to cylinder. No problems with heater core. Block has 55 marked on it. Lost a pint/1000 miles while towing 5th whl camper out west this summer. Now where do I look?

 

[kswieringa]

Check coolant recovery bottle where the bottle slides onto the radiator shroud. My lower lug on the bottle had a slow drip from a barely visible crack

 

[DSeamans]

Bottle looked fine. No moisture after engine was up to temp.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Same problem and cannot find any leaks. I have noticed that during the winter when I plug in the block heater it goes down more than at other times. Evaporation? I am not sure and I hate to do this but guess I have to wait until it is bad enough to see where it is going.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Same problem here. NO LEAKS anywhere. Not burning it and it's not in w/ the engine oil. Evaporation maybe like Bob said. Block heater boiling some of it away?



I dunno

 

[DSeamans]

I almost never use the block heater as I keep it in a heated shop all winter. Waiting for the problem to get bad enough to show itself drives me nuts as I am one of those guys who hears every little noise and feel every vibration and can't leave it alone until I find and fix it.

 

[2-ND TIME]

coolant dissappearing

Well good on you for being so observent. Mine has been doing this trick since new. At 32,000 km's I had lost more then the conservator tank. I had to get dye from cumins in Surrey BC for truck even thought the book says that they have it. The dye wasn't visible with black light externally so it has to be internally that it is going! My take on it is that it burns coolant throught a very small temperature window. This for me is worst when I am hunting when it isn't pluged in as much. My exhaust pipe is rusted at the end even thought it is protected by my 24"X36" mud flaps. Worst junk that I have ever had... never been ONE day that I have ever liked it yet!!!

 

[GoodmanS]

I am also loosing coolant, and it seems to be only when it is pugged in. looks to be on the top of the block, next to the alternator, between the block and metal bend that hooks up to the top radiator hose. It can make a fairly nice puddle on the floor.

 

[Cummins724]

I had a problem & took my truck in for service before the warranty ran out, but they couldn't find it. It roared its ugly head in the form of a cracked 53 block @ 140k. I had the block replaced & I plug it in every night with no coolant loss. I know you have a 55 block, but I was just mentioning my findings for those who don't. I had a friend with a 97 ctd who had this problem & it turned out to be a leaking head gasket on the back of the head. It was burning off as fast as it was leaking & he only noticed it when pulling his transmission for a rebuild & saw a burn mark on the back of the head.

 

[CanadianCarGuy]

I have the same problem with my 98. 5, everytime I fill the overflow up it leaks back to the same level and stops. No leaks found anywhere, I guess a pressure test would be the only thing that could find it! Maybe it is going into the head somewhere??

 

[Cummins724]

I have the same problem with my 98. 5, everytime I fill the overflow up it leaks back to the same level and stops. No leaks found anywhere, I guess a pressure test would be the only thing that could find it! Maybe it is going into the head somewhere??

I bet you have a 53 block & it is burning on the block before it can be noticed as mine did. I'd check the side of the block in the area of 53 block crack & see if you see any orange color or brownish burnt color. I saw this for 50k miles & it was only a orange dot about 1/4" round.

 

[CanadianCarGuy]

I will have to check it out, this leaking but only leaking to a certain point is really frustrating! I am starting to wonder if I am going nuts!

 

[Regcabguy]

Thermostat gasket?

My buddy's '99 was leaking ever so little at the thermostat gasket. It would evaporate with engine warmth.

 

[cArNiVaLwOrKeR]

Me too

I've noticed a big loss of coolant in the past month, called B0B4X4 he gave me ideas, but will take to the shop tomorrow and hopefully it will be something simple, 115k on the motor.

I do see the green coolant leaking @ the passenger side of motor under the middle circle dunno what that circle is, and can see steam as it burns off and never getting a chance to hit the ground, any ideas???

 

[Signal73]

Middle circle sounds like you are describing a freeze plug?

 

[cArNiVaLwOrKeR]

I've noticed a big loss of coolant in the past month, called B0B4X4 he gave me ideas, but will take to the shop tomorrow and hopefully it will be something simple, 115k on the motor.

I do see the green coolant leaking @ the passenger side of motor under the middle circle dunno what that circle is, and can see steam as it burns off and never getting a chance to hit the ground, any ideas???

There is a 4inch crack just below the freeze plug on the block...

 

[Signal73]

ohhh thats bad sounds like a 53 block crack...

 

[EricBu12]

Bad 53 block that is... Due to a weak area along the length of the block...



Best to replace the block with a short block. that would be the cheaper route. .



Or it is a good excuse to get a new truck!