Urgent Help Gasket Problem

[KillerKnife]

Ok I just got off the phone with the shop I had brought my truck in because I have been loosing coolant and not been able to find the leak. Yesterday they did a leak test and a pressure test that found nothing. They called and asked if they should do a cylinder pressure test so I told them to go ahead. This morning I get a call saying they found a leak that they think is the head gasket and to fix it will take a couple days and a decent chunk of change. I was wondering what you guys would recomend doing? What could heppen if I choose not to do this?

 

 

The truck by the way is an 04 Silverado 5.3

[C & A s Dad]

I am assuming your truck is at a reputable shop?

 

Head gasket issues on the 5.3 are very rare. However, Water Pump Gasket issues are very common, especially on the early years. I think your 04 should have the new design gasket but I am not sure. There would be a tremendous difference in your shop invoice between a head gasket repair and a WP replacement.

 

I would just be very sure you do not have a WP gskt leaking. This leak is very hard to find and can be difficult for even an seasoned Tech.

[KillerKnife]

I am assuming your truck is at a reputable shop?

 

Head gasket issues on the 5.3 are very rare. However, Water Pump Gasket issues are very common, especially on the early years. I think your 04 should have the new design gasket but I am not sure. There would be a tremendous difference in your shop invoice between a head gasket repair and a WP replacement.

 

I would just be very sure you do not have a WP gskt leaking. This leak is very hard to find and can be difficult for even an seasoned Tech.

 

It is at the local GM dealer up here. Would that leak not show up on the system pressure test? They did a individual Cylinder test i would assume over night since they said they would start it yesterday and called me this morning

[DofD]

What signs of a coolant leak did you notice? Did you see coolant on the ground? Or was it just a consistent dropping in the coolant level?

[KillerKnife]

What signs of a coolant leak did you notice? Did you see coolant on the ground? Or was it just a consistent dropping in the coolant level?

 

Consistent loss of coolant. Nothing ever showed on the ground. In about 2 weeks i lost about 1/2 a gallon of coolant.

[KillerKnife]

Well I went up to the shop and saw that the coolant was mixing with my oil and causing it to Gel on the covers and lifters So I decided it is best to replace it since I wont have the time to do this until much later in the year.

[KillerKnife]

GM will cover the cost of repairs if you made a engine cold knock complaint & took the warranty settlement.

 

I dont get it.

[97SierraGMC]

look and see where it is exactly leaking.. i had a intake manifold leak that looked like a head gasket leak but it was further up on the motor so it wasnt so bad.

[KillerKnife]

look and see where it is exactly leaking.. i had a intake manifold leak that looked like a head gasket leak but it was further up on the motor so it wasnt so bad.

 

Like I said before I think it is a problem since the covers are coated in a wonderful gel and so are the of the lifters. The mechanic said that when he set up to do the cylinder pressure test there was coolant sitting in one of the cylinders. Im confused as to why he had to do the pressure cylinder pressure test which cost me more $ since he saw the coolant in the cylinder during the set up.