Electrical And Cooling Questions

[Diabs]

Ok, this has happened twice, but of course just to my wife.

 

Starts the truck in the morning, everything is ok....takes the kids to school. Gets back into the truck, trys to start it and battery is dead.....walks home, gets me, go back, I jump in start the truck everything is fine!

 

But! the stereo is not programmed with its stations, as if someone disconnected the battery? Battery reading is fine?.....any ideas? The message centre isn't telling me anything, and the truck runs fine.

 

Number 2......My message centre does come on and tells me I have low coolant.....I checked the oil to see if the colour was off, looks good. Can't find any drips or leaks on the ground? This morning I heard a ticking sound....almost seemed like it was coming from the water pump, but I'm guessing. This is the second time in 4 or 5 months that I have to top up the coolant tank with about 1.5 to 2 cups of coolant???

 

2001 5.3l 200,000km......I bought the truck used with 196,000. Looks like orginal alternator and water pump??? I also see a red battery connector that ties in the alternator and the battery and something else, not sure what thats for. Any help or suggestions would be great. I home today and b4 I set out to a mechanic, I'd like a little head start! Thanks!

 

Diabs

[txab]

I would check my battery to make sure it's not going bad internally. Also check that your connections are clean and tight at the battery. That's where I'd put my money. Your vehicle falls into the category that might have Castech heads that "might" develop a leak. There is a TSB for it on this site. You will not be covered for any repair though. Could also be a head gasket leaking. First examine the engine closely looking for external leaks. Water pump gaskets are prone to leak as well as the drip hole in the WP. Both may leak and not show a puddle on the ground. Check all hose connections. Pressure test the system to help find leaks. You can even add a dye to the coolant to aid in finding leaks. How much coolant are you adding over what time period?

[Diabs]

I would check my battery to make sure it's not going bad internally. Also check that your connections are clean and tight at the battery. That's where I'd put my money. Your vehicle falls into the category that might have Castech heads that "might" develop a leak. There is a TSB for it on this site. You will not be covered for any repair though. Could also be a head gasket leaking. First examine the engine closely looking for external leaks. Water pump gaskets are prone to leak as well as the drip hole in the WP. Both may leak and not show a puddle on the ground. Check all hose connections. Pressure test the system to help find leaks. You can even add a dye to the coolant to aid in finding leaks. How much coolant are you adding over what time period?

 

Ok....the electrical was gummed up and loose battery terminals. Fixed!

 

The fella I went to see, said the back side of the water pumps have a bad/crappy gasket(plastic??) that are prone to leak.....he said something about a cube addiative which would, I guess swell the gasket and stop the leak.( I'm adding about 1.5 - 2 cups of coolant every 4 months or so ).

 

He also mentions the sound I hear in the morning only when its a cold start is coming from a cracked manifold, after the engine warms up no more noise? I can't see the crack, or diagnose my self, but for $200 he'd pull it off and weld it up in front of me in a half day?

 

I realize that everything being orginal still on this truck is gonna start the replacement trend, but I need to keep her for another 2 or so years (or longer, body is mint, interior is good, fits our needs for camping/towing and people hauling)

 

Thanks for the tips.....I replaced 2 orginal hose clamps which rusted and lost tightness which caused my first coolant issue....maybe thers a few more to check. Thanks Darral

 

Diego

[txab]

I'd not use any additives like you describe, unless it was an extreme emergency. If a gasket is bad replace it and the pump along with it. Ask your mechanic guy why the sound simply couldn't be a cold start knock that is common on these engines. Without hearing the sound I can't tell from here. depending on what oil type you're running, you may be able to switch and eliminate the knock. The oil filter could be source as well. Some filters allow the knock to occur when cold. You should do more investigation to be sure what the noise is.

[Diabs]

Your right, I will still investigate the sound! Not so much a knock, but more so suction bing????...anyways, I haven't seen any oil leak on or near the head(s) or block. (I'm thinking that bing sound is the water pump impellar???)

 

And I agree the water pump with 200,000km will go sooner or later, better just get-r-done!

 

Will report back with any new info, thanks again.