Low Coolant

DJHooks · September 26, 2007

05' 2500 HD, I've had to replace some high pressure coolant lines because my truck was overheating or (approaching) once or twice a week. This was done about 1 yr. ago. Within the past 9 months I have started to see a low coolant message very other month or so. No visable leak on the ground. Coolant tank is always low when it happens. Has anyone else experienced this? Any thoughts?

Genuinefine409 · September 26, 2007

I have a 2002 2500Hd with a 6.0 with a similar condition. Every week the coolant goes down a very small amount and i have to refill it every 3-4 months or so, doesn't take a whole lot but the light comes on. No leaks and no signs of anything that would make it go down, maybe a very slight head gasket leak??? I have no clue where mine goes.

Norseman · September 26, 2007

Could be head related but it is more likely the water pump gasket. It will get worse and you will start to see small puddles under the truck. Have the cooling system pressure tested and that should show you the local of the leak.

99silverado1500 · September 26, 2007

Mine does the same thing, except every like 6-8 months i put in a splash of coolant. No dripping yet.

Shaners · September 26, 2007

In my '01 HD I had to have the sensor in the tank replaced due to the low coolant message. However, the truck never lost any coolant...

Zembonez · September 27, 2007

My 01 did that. Never saw a drop of coolant. Turned out to be the dreaded GM intake gasket leak. I'd sure check it out just in case.

Norseman · September 27, 2007

My 01 did that. Never saw a drop of coolant. Turned out to be the dreaded GM intake gasket leak. I'd sure check it out just in case.

If your 01 had a 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 ect. it is impossible that a intake gasket leak had ANYTHING to do with coolant loss! It is absolutely impossible!! NO coolant ever touches the intake on these engines. Sorry to be so blunt but you should not be telling people that stuff!!! So please stop!!

Draenor · September 27, 2007

Could be head related but it is more likely the water pump gasket. It will get worse and you will start to see small puddles under the truck. Have the cooling system pressure tested and that should show you the local of the leak.

+1 I have a '98 with the 4.3 V6. It had a Very slow leak out the weep hole in the water pump.

Zembonez · September 27, 2007

My 01 did that. Never saw a drop of coolant. Turned out to be the dreaded GM intake gasket leak. I'd sure check it out just in case.

If your 01 had a 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 ect. it is impossible that a intake gasket leak had ANYTHING to do with coolant loss! It is absolutely impossible!! NO coolant ever touches the intake on these engines. Sorry to be so blunt but you should not be telling people that stuff!!! So please stop!!

WELL.. aren't you a frikkin grump?

It was a 4.3, it happened, and I don't claim to be an expert on the architecture of every GM engine. Just relaying what mine did. I hardly think I was clubbing baby seals in front of PETA.

Seriously... if that's true then what mine did has no bearing on his so have me shot already.

SHEEEZ...

Norseman · September 27, 2007

My 01 did that. Never saw a drop of coolant. Turned out to be the dreaded GM intake gasket leak. I'd sure check it out just in case.

If your 01 had a 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 ect. it is impossible that a intake gasket leak had ANYTHING to do with coolant loss! It is absolutely impossible!! NO coolant ever touches the intake on these engines. Sorry to be so blunt but you should not be telling people that stuff!!! So please stop!!

WELL.. aren't you a frikkin grump?

It was a 4.3, it happened, and I don't claim to be an expert on the architecture of every GM engine. Just relaying what mine did. I hardly think I was clubbing baby seals in front of PETA.

Seriously... if that's true then what mine did has no bearing on his so have me shot already.

SHEEEZ...

Grump?!!?! Where???

I hardly think I was clubbing baby seals in front of PETA.

Ok, Ok, Ok I get your point!!!

Just don't let it happen again!

Zembonez · September 27, 2007

My 01 did that. Never saw a drop of coolant. Turned out to be the dreaded GM intake gasket leak. I'd sure check it out just in case.

If your 01 had a 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 ect. it is impossible that a intake gasket leak had ANYTHING to do with coolant loss! It is absolutely impossible!! NO coolant ever touches the intake on these engines. Sorry to be so blunt but you should not be telling people that stuff!!! So please stop!!

WELL.. aren't you a frikkin grump?

It was a 4.3, it happened, and I don't claim to be an expert on the architecture of every GM engine. Just relaying what mine did. I hardly think I was clubbing baby seals in front of PETA.

Seriously... if that's true then what mine did has no bearing on his so have me shot already.

SHEEEZ...

Grump?!!?! Where???

I hardly think I was clubbing baby seals in front of PETA.

Ok, Ok, Ok I get your point!!!

Just don't let it happen again!

NO WAY! I've been dying to use that baby seal line!

I really didn't know that the intake setup was different. I am however glad to know that since my new truck has a 5.3 and the intake leak on the 01 cost me an engine. (which sucked)

It's all good from this end.

2017HD · September 28, 2007

I had a 99 Tahoe with a 5.7 that had an intake gasket leak - no drips - until I parked one night on a hill - coolant on the ground the next morning - while driving it was being boiled off the exhaust and tranny.

AirForceAngler · September 28, 2007

Watch out for that water loss. I have an '00 with 5.3 and for a long time it was using just a bit of water. About half a gallon every oil 3000K. Last few months it got worse, so I decided to change head gaskets. When I took the valve covers off, there was sludge everywhere. I have been running Mobil 1 for about 50K and have 116K on the truck now. Well, I went ahead and put new head gaskets on it. When I went to change oil after that I pulled the drain plug and nothing came out. I stuck a screw driver up in there and a BUNCH of sludge came dripping out and then some oil.

Seeing as this was bad, I decided it was time to change engines. Found one with 50K on it and dropped it in. Just pulled the pan off of the old motor and there was sludge at least an inch deep in the sump and everything was coated with it. Not sure what caused this, but I think it was a mixture of coolant in the oil, and blow-by. Before I took the heads off again, I put about 15 pounds of air to each cylinder and you could hear it leaking by the pistons.

Killerbee · September 29, 2007

Just pulled the pan off of the old motor and there was sludge at least an inch deep in the sump and everything was coated with it. Not sure what caused this, but I think it was a mixture of coolant in the oil,

yes. water plus oil = mud

Norseman · September 29, 2007

Watch out for that water loss. I have an '00 with 5.3 and for a long time it was using just a bit of water. About half a gallon every oil 3000K. Last few months it got worse, so I decided to change head gaskets. When I took the valve covers off, there was sludge everywhere. I have been running Mobil 1 for about 50K and have 116K on the truck now. Well, I went ahead and put new head gaskets on it. When I went to change oil after that I pulled the drain plug and nothing came out. I stuck a screw driver up in there and a BUNCH of sludge came dripping out and then some oil.
Seeing as this was bad, I decided it was time to change engines. Found one with 50K on it and dropped it in. Just pulled the pan off of the old motor and there was sludge at least an inch deep in the sump and everything was coated with it. Not sure what caused this, but I think it was a mixture of coolant in the oil, and blow-by. Before I took the heads off again, I put about 15 pounds of air to each cylinder and you could hear it leaking by the pistons.

Man, I'm sorry to hear about your problem with your 5.3. That sucks! But, I wouldn't say that is the norm for these engines. How is the new one workin' for ya?