Question about daily driver, losing coolant.....
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,484
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From: Northampton Ma
Question about daily driver, losing coolant.....
I just bought an 1989 GMC 1 ton dump truck that I use as a daily driver and work truck. When I bought a couple weeks ago, it had a small coolant leak. I tightened up all the hose clamps and solved that problem. I topped off the radiator and overflow tank (took about a gallon of coolant/water mix). I had noticed that there was a decent amount of steam coming from the exhaust system, but just thought that since the truck hadn't been used in a few months and it was cold out that there would be a good amount of condensation that had to be burned off. But it continues to due it, and still uses coolant even though there is no external leak. I suspect a blown/damaged headgasket that is causing the problem. But, the oil doens't have a milky appearance to it. The truck is in excellent condition and runs excellent other than this problem, and only has 43k miles on it, and only 22k miles on the motor. The motor was replaced under warranty due to a coolant leak in the block, and I have a receipt for it from the dealer. I know the guy that I bought the truck from very well, and I'm sure he'd be willing to help pay to fix the problem. What do you guys think :confused: .
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
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From: Check this riff........
Re: Question about daily driver, losing coolant..... (Ryan77)
To test the headgaskets, get a compression tester. Take the spark plug fitting and attach it to an airhose. Blow air into each cylinder. If the head gasket has a hole, you will see airbubbles at the radiator cap.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
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From: Plano TX
Re: Question about daily driver, losing coolant..... (Ryan77)
Had a similar problem on a 96 vette. Even though there was never a puddle and engine comp was dry it turned out to be the waterpump. It would leak out the weep hole onto the drive belt which would sling it into a thin mist that wouldn't form drops or puddles.
BTW, replacing a w-pump on a LT4 is NOT fun! :lol:
BTW, replacing a w-pump on a LT4 is NOT fun! :lol:
