anti freeze is dissappearing

TheScaryGuy · October 20, 2002

I can't see any noticeable leaks of antifreeze, I was low about july this summer and filled with distilled water, now I'm not as low as I was then but I have no clue as to what is eating the anti freeze. If i was leaking heavy that would my water pump wouldn't it? Should I flush, fill just to see if I have any blockages? I'm really at a loss at this moment. If the dang thing could only gimmie 5 more trouble free months i swear I'd make it worth its while.....

asepgrad98 · October 20, 2002

you need to pressure test the system, Hopefully its not internal

BlueRado · October 21, 2002

Scary,

Sometimes if the leak is slow enough, and in a certain position, it may be getting boiled off as it hits hot engine/exhaust parts, assuming the leak is external. Do you smell coolant?

I hope it 's not internal, cause that usually means leaky head gasket, or worse, cracked block. Notice any coolant in your oil changes? Exhaust look sort of white colored?

Good luck man!

P.S. - What's up w/ the Spartans lately?

TheScaryGuy · October 22, 2002

P.S. - What's up w/ the Spartans lately?

They suck along with my stupid truck......Man new stuff is so nice, not having to worry about $hit breaking all the time..... I pressure test this weekend.... plz don't be a leaky head gasket, i don't have time to have my truck down right now....

LarryE · October 23, 2002

might want to get an oil sample done just to be safe

Lambo12 · October 25, 2002

I find that my Message Center warns me of LOW COOLANT about every 3 months. I have to fill it up, then it is good to go for a while. I have no idea where it is going. No indication of leaks, no smell, no additional oil, nothing. Just GONE.

Redapple · October 25, 2002

Could be an internal leak. Sometimes the head gasket will go bad right by a water jacket. The coolant will seep into the combustion chamber and get buned, other times it will get mixed wil the oil, and sometimes the oil will even get into the coolant. I had one like that. When I drained my coolant, it had oil in it. Three possibilities....

1. Bad head gasket

2. Cracked head

3. cracked block

Any one of the three are bad news.

If it is an external leak, (the best of any combination listed above), then look on the block, or heads for a whiteish stain.

Let us know how it goes.

Bill

Zembonez · October 29, 2002

Bill is right... If you are losing coolant and it isn't showing up as a leak or as milky colored oil, it is likely a head gasket leak or cracked cylinder head. The coolant leaks into the cylinder when the truck cools and the pressure in the radiator exceeds the pressure in the cylinder... Blown head gaskets on these trucks is almost always because of a seriously overheated engine. A head gasket leak into the combustion chamber normally results in pressure build up in the radiator also... You might try starting the engine cold with the rad cap removed and see if it pushes out any water. There should not be any positive pressure on the system when it is cold. MAKE SURE the truck is cold though...like parked overnight. If it pushes out water when cold you know compression is getting into the cooling system.

Good luck!

96 Vortec · October 31, 2002

It is probably leaking out of the intake manifold at the rear of the engine. It is probably a slow leak that is burning off before it can ever hit the ground to be noticed.

It is common on the new GM V-8's.