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dynodon

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dynodon Enthusiast

dynodon

Posted
Posted

I'm new to this forum...more later

I'm curious to know if their is a common GMC problem with 5.3 motors loosing coolant. I've checked the obvious, hoses, thermostat housing and gasket and radiator core? Still no clear sign of coolant dripping or weeping and no trace of coolant on the ground when parked. No signs of any coolant leaking into the oil...oil level is always on the correct level mark. This just started about a 2 weeks ago when our cold weather set in (western Pa.) Since then I've had too add 2 gal. of coolant. With that much added I figured I would see some evidence of leaks...no luck? The engine shows no sign of overheating and runs at the prescribed temperature...The only way I knew it was getting low is when the heater starts to blow cool air...I now check it before starting.

Any suggestions? :thumbs:

jrrod2004 Senior Enthusiast

jrrod2004

Posted
Posted
I'm new to this forum...more later

I'm curious to know if their is a common GMC problem with 5.3 motors loosing coolant. I've checked the obvious, hoses, thermostat housing and gasket and radiator core? Still no clear sign of coolant dripping or weaping and no trace of coolant on the ground when parked. No signs of any coolant leraking into the oil...oil level is always on the correct level mark. This just started about a 2 weeks ago when our cold weather set in (western Pa.) Since then I've had too add 2 gal. of coolant. With that much added I figured I would see some evidence of leaks...no luck? The engine shows no sign of overheating and runs at the prescribed temperature...The only way I knew it was getting low is when the heater starts to blow cool air...I now check it before starting.

Any suggestions? :thumbs:

 

Welcome Don, there were several issues with late model silverado/sierras that had coolant being burned off in the engine...or gelled up due to the design of the castech housing...

dynodon Enthusiast

dynodon

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I'm new to this forum...more later

I'm curious to know if their is a common GMC problem with 5.3 motors loosing coolant. I've checked the obvious, hoses, thermostat housing and gasket and radiator core? Still no clear sign of coolant dripping or weaping and no trace of coolant on the ground when parked. No signs of any coolant leraking into the oil...oil level is always on the correct level mark. This just started about a 2 weeks ago when our cold weather set in (western Pa.) Since then I've had too add 2 gal. of coolant. With that much added I figured I would see some evidence of leaks...no luck? The engine shows no sign of overheating and runs at the prescribed temperature...The only way I knew it was getting low is when the heater starts to blow cool air...I now check it before starting.

Any suggestions? :thumbs:

 

Welcome Don, there were several issues with late model silverado/sierras that had coolant being burned off in the engine...or gelled up due to the design of the castech housing...

 

 

 

O-O-O-O-K? meaning the aluminum heads or ?

jrrod2004 Senior Enthusiast

jrrod2004

Posted
Posted

This should help:

(memory is a little slow this morning)

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=Castech

dynodon Enthusiast

dynodon

Posted
  • Author
Posted

 

 

First symptoms...finally. I noticed a trail of anti-freeze in the snow and ice after pulling up my drive. My drive is about a 15 degree slope. I found antifreeze started to leave a trail when I was almost at the top...and then it quit as the drive started to level. Guess I'll try jacking up the front...it must be puddling up in a frame member somewhere and the run off as I pull up my drive :thumbs:

dynodon Enthusiast

dynodon

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Look into all your hose connections thoroughly, make sure they are secure

 

 

been there, done it, did it...but finally have located the leak. I removed the front rock gaurd and had a steady drip coming from the rear of the water pump...the rock gaurd collected the leaking fluid and would spill out as I pulled up my driveway. Then when the truck was parked on level ground it would continue to drip back into the rock gaurd. I couldn't view it from the top.

Now, for the dumb questions of the day. Where in the Sam-h*& is the drain plug for the radiator? Or is it simpler to pull off the lower hose at the radiator to drain,flush and refill. Which is coolant is better. Dexcool or Prestone?

txab Senior Enthusiast

txab

Posted
Posted
Look into all your hose connections thoroughly, make sure they are secure

 

 

been there, done it, did it...but finally have located the leak. I removed the front rock gaurd and had a steady drip coming from the rear of the water pump...the rock gaurd collected the leaking fluid and would spill out as I pulled up my driveway. Then when the truck was parked on level ground it would continue to drip back into the rock gaurd. I couldn't view it from the top.

Now, for the dumb questions of the day. Where in the Sam-h*& is the drain plug for the radiator? Or is it simpler to pull off the lower hose at the radiator to drain,flush and refill. Which is coolant is better. Dexcool or Prestone?

 

 

Glad you found your leak. No drain on the radiator. Just pull the lower hose. Everyone has an opinion on Dex vs green. I'd just throw Dex back in at this point. You can search the forum, there have many discussions and polls.

 

Is vehicle still under warranty? Just noticed you show a 2006 model

dynodon Enthusiast

dynodon

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Look into all your hose connections thoroughly, make sure they are secure

 

 

been there, done it, did it...but finally have located the leak. I removed the front rock gaurd and had a steady drip coming from the rear of the water pump...the rock gaurd collected the leaking fluid and would spill out as I pulled up my driveway. Then when the truck was parked on level ground it would continue to drip back into the rock gaurd. I couldn't view it from the top.

Now, for the dumb questions of the day. Where in the Sam-h*& is the drain plug for the radiator? Or is it simpler to pull off the lower hose at the radiator to drain,flush and refill. Which is coolant is better. Dexcool or Prestone?

 

 

Glad you found your leak. No drain on the radiator. Just pull the lower hose. Everyone has an opinion on Dex vs green. I'd just throw Dex back in at this point. You can search the forum, there have many discussions and polls.

 

Is vehicle still under warranty? Just noticed you show a 2006 model

 

 

 

 

Out of warranty. Pulled the water pump off and found one of the gaskets was deformed at the time of assembly. The o-ring was not sealing between the block and pump on the right side. Scannned both gaskets and sent copies to the dealership to see if they would cover them? Fat Chance ! I tried to copy and paste the photo here...but no luck. Replaced both with Fel-Pro gaskets. Should be better than the GM gaskets. Torqued all the bolts...first @ 16ft. lb, then 22 ft. lb.

Finished by just adding the Dex-Cool I drained and refreshed with some new.. I didn't want to mess with flushing and refilling.

 

Thanks to all who responed :rollin:

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