Got A Coolant Leak ... Cr@p ......

[mints33]

It's been around 30 degrees here the last few days, and when I went to start her up this afternoon, I noticed a wet spot on the driveway. Thought it was oil, for she leaks a drop or a few once in awhile, no biggie, until I looked at it and knew it wasn't oil. It was green, and it's coolant. It's coming from the front end of the engine. I looked up and saw it all over the relay rod, but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. The weep hole for the water pump was dry, but it looked a little wet behind the pump. Could it be leaking from the seals? I believe the pump is the original w/ 150K. Anyhow, if it is the pump, is it very hard to swap out?

 

If it's not the pump, could it be the intake gasket? That was changed about 60K ago, could it be bad already? What are the symptoms of a bad intake, besides a coolant leak. lol

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!!!

[marko]

It's been around 30 degrees here the last few days, and when I went to start her up this afternoon, I noticed a wet spot on the driveway. Thought it was oil, for she leaks a drop or a few once in awhile, no biggie, until I looked at it and knew it wasn't oil. It was green, and it's coolant. It's coming from the front end of the engine. I looked up and saw it all over the relay rod, but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. The weep hole for the water pump was dry, but it looked a little wet behind the pump. Could it be leaking from the seals? I believe the pump is the original w/ 150K. Anyhow, if it is the pump, is it very hard to swap out?

 

If it's not the pump, could it be the intake gasket? That was changed about 60K ago, could it be bad already? What are the symptoms of a bad intake, besides a coolant leak. lol

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!!!

 

Optimus, check all your hoses first - the cold weather may have caused a little shrinkage or something. I know that a green puddle can really ruin a guy's day, but always follow the rule to check the cheapest thing first!

 

BTW I doubt it's the intake manifold gasket - they usually leak inward. You may want to retorque everything since the intake manifold repair would have required the removal/installation of basically all the hoses and the thermostat housing. It's possible that during the intake repair none of the hoses were replaced, and they're now cracking because they're 60k older. I'd start with that, and postpone panic until later.

 

Good luck!

[2000DV4.8]

My guess would be water pump gasket if it looks wet behind the pump. Isn't terribly difficult to replace the pump, just time consuming (and at 150k, if you've got the pump off to replace the gasket, you might as well take care of the pump too). A Haynes or Chilton's manual will give you enough info to get it done no problem.

[txab]

It's been around 30 degrees here the last few days, and when I went to start her up this afternoon, I noticed a wet spot on the driveway. Thought it was oil, for she leaks a drop or a few once in awhile, no biggie, until I looked at it and knew it wasn't oil. It was green, and it's coolant. It's coming from the front end of the engine. I looked up and saw it all over the relay rod, but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. The weep hole for the water pump was dry, but it looked a little wet behind the pump. Could it be leaking from the seals? I believe the pump is the original w/ 150K. Anyhow, if it is the pump, is it very hard to swap out?

 

If it's not the pump, could it be the intake gasket? That was changed about 60K ago, could it be bad already? What are the symptoms of a bad intake, besides a coolant leak. lol

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much!!!

 

 

Optimus, check all your hoses first - the cold weather may have caused a little shrinkage or something. I know that a green puddle can really ruin a guy's day, but always follow the rule to check the cheapest thing first!

 

BTW I doubt it's the intake manifold gasket - they usually leak inward. You may want to retorque everything since the intake manifold repair would have required the removal/installation of basically all the hoses and the thermostat housing. It's possible that during the intake repair none of the hoses were replaced, and they're now cracking because they're 60k older. I'd start with that, and postpone panic until later.

 

Good luck!

 

 

+1 Check hoses.

[mints33]

Unfortunately, I don't believe it's the hoses, I tried to look at all of them as best as I could, but couldn't

find anything suspicious. I'll see if I can tighten them down, hopefully that'll help, maybe it's a little

shrinkage like suggested above, {fingers crossed}.

 

Anyhow, if I need to replace the water pump, do I need to drain the radiator? Or just the coolant from

the block?

 

Thanks a bunch guys!!!

[2000DV4.8]

Everything needs to be drained, the upper rad. hose needs to be taken off the pump, so unless you like coolant everywhere, I'd suggest draining it. You might as well put in new coolant while you're at it too.

[bubba33]

I just put a intake gasket on a 96 5.7. It was leaking to the outside like most of them do on that motor.Check the heater hose quick disconnect that is problem on those too.

[98 Z71 SLT]

I'm gonna vote intake manifold gasket.

 

They are common to leak on the front side of the block also, and makes it look like a coolant pump. This guy is gonna stick a new pump on it, and be typing another thread about a coolant leak that was never fixed.

 

Doesn't matter how many miles are on the engine since the intake has been done...if somebody didn't take the time to torque down the intake bolts in sequence, and to a correct torque value, it will seep again...no matter what.

 

I would suggest crawling under the truck, and inspecting the flywheel cover for any coolant also. That would indicate the back side of the intake is seeping coolant.

[mints33]

The first time the intake manifold gasket went, it leaked all over the driveway, don't know how much leaked inward, but a lot got outward too. I didn't own the truck at the time, but was there when it happened.

[bubba33]

Start it up and have someone rev it up some it will push the water out. where you may be able to see where its leaking at. look at the front of the intake if it leaks there it can run down the back of the motor.

[txab]

You can add dye to the coolant and then use a black light to track it down.

[mints33]

I guess the good thing is, if there is anything good about this, is it probably just started leaking, maybe a few days tops, I've been keeping a close eye on the coolant level. And it's been quite consistent.

[mints33]

I just put a intake gasket on a 96 5.7. It was leaking to the outside like most of them do on that motor.Check the heater hose quick disconnect that is problem on those too.

 

 

Sorry for the stupid question, but where is the heater hose quick disconnect located?

Thanks!

[bubba33]

when you are looking at the motor it is on the left front side (passangers side front)

[DofD]

That's a +1 on using dye to try to isolate the leak before ripping into things!