Coolant usage

boaterbob · January 31, 2012

Every two months or so i have to add coolant, Tank is empty. Checked cold and under pressure cannot find a leak. No coolant in oil. could it be going out the exhuast? Is there a sealer i could add to over flow tank? Also ever now and then when i start cold i will get a big puff of blue smoke, Valve guides??? 04 5.3 Yukon 92K Thanks Bob

00Silverado4x4 · January 31, 2012

Blue smoke is oil burning. Not sure of problem.

However, if you do a search for coolant loss and/or castech heads, you'll find threads to give you some other ideas to check.

Water pump leak?

Water pump gasket leak?

Cracked heads, internally?

Blown head gaskets?

Few ideas to start with, good luck and happy reading?

Shaners · January 31, 2012

The smoke on start up isn't serious. It is most likely valve guides and a little oil seeps by when the truck is sitting turned off. You should never notice any or very little oil usage because of this. The old 350's did it alot.

boaterbob · January 31, 2012

Thanks, My auto store told me around 03/04 they had a problem with coolant loss at the manifold on rear right side. Anyone hear of this?

txab · January 31, 2012

Thanks, My auto store told me around 03/04 they had a problem with coolant loss at the manifold on rear right side. Anyone hear of this?

Intake manifold has no water running through it on this 2004 engine.

As you were told earlier:

Water pump and/or gaskets

Cracked head. (known posible issue on your year model, depending on manufacturer of heads)

Blown or bad head gaskets

Radiator or hose leak

You can add a dye to the coolant to track down the leak. Don't start adding crap sealers to your engine yet. Find the leak

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/plugins/p2_news/printarticle.php?p2_articleid=148

GMmytruck · February 1, 2012

Had a similar problem with my 98 6.5TD. Lasted for almost 14 years and never found the problem. Just follow it for a while then fix or forget.

TOTALRECALL · February 1, 2012

Other than following a heater hose - what about the very bottom of the radiator tank - if the leak is that slow - possibly it's not showing up until the engine and accessorites are running/vibrating enough to make the weak spot flex some.

Have you been able to pressure test for 4-6 hours or longer. Have heard longer tests can often show the weak spots.

Good luck

Mike

mawint · February 1, 2012

I had to have my 5.3 looked at for coolant loss too about a year ago. I would have to put coolant in once every two months or so. I though for sure it was a water pump but when I took it in, it ended up being the mating surface between the water pump and the metal piece that is attached to the end of the hose. They ordered me a new one to put in but ended up getting the wrong one, needless to say, that once they took it off and re-seated it, it hasn't leaked since.

Check the easy things first.