Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) question regarding a wierd head gasket issue

[Hemmen1]

our 2001 dodge diesel has been losing coolant (I think mostly when pulling our loaded trailer) but there is no sign of coolant anywhere, occassionally can smell coolant??????? ---- just had engine oil analysis done and there is no sign of coolant in the oil, my mechanic thinks it has a blown head gasket that is leaking externally not internally, I have never heard of this is this possible ---- we have just purchased a much heavier duty truck to pull our trailer and the dodge is somewhat retired from pulling --- as a daily driver i dont notice loss of coolant --- any advice would be appreciated -- or has anyone had a similiar experience???



Darren

 

[bnbrown]

I noticed something similar with my truck, but also when pulling a loaded trailer (only about 6K#s) up steep grades it would heat up in a hurry. Eventually is started leaking enough to be seen from the outside leaking down the block just below the therm. housing. It also gave a great deal of white smoke when starting at cold temps (just above freezing), much more than our 01 ETH. It took about a year (45K miles) for mine to progress to the point to where i could identify that it was indeed leaking after first noticing the smell and the overheating.

 

[juicedcummins]

I noticed a coolant loss on mine lately but no leak to be seen. Finally last week pulling my boat through the rockies it surfaced. Mine has a leak in the rad on the passenger side. It only leaks a fine steam when the t-stat is open and the presure in the rad is up some.