Losing Coolant

[MT Driver]

I have been losing about 1/2 a gallon of coolant per week. You can smell it in and outside the vehicle when you stop. I have checked for coolant in oil (no milky dip stick), used a block tester with no change in color, and the trans fluid is clear. No visible leaks anywhere. Going nuts trying to figure where coolant is going! Any other suggestions??

 

[B-train]

It's probably weeping from a fitting somewhere and evaporating. Look for white residue around hose ends, radiator areas, waterpump bottom, etc. Also, if in a salt state, look at areas where metal lines go through brackets.

If that fails: Throw flour on it......

 

[OR VietVet]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

I assumed you have checked the obvious places at the front and at the tees. How about checking the lines/connections at the back heater?

 

[Geotrash]

I have been losing about 1/2 a gallon of coolant per week. You can smell it in and outside the vehicle when you stop. I have checked for coolant in oil (no milky dip stick), used a block tester with no change in color, and the trans fluid is clear. No visible leaks anywhere. Going nuts trying to figure where coolant is going! Any other suggestions??

That's a pretty quick loss, depending on how much you're driving. 3 things I would check:

1/ The radiators on these fail first by weeping through cracks in the plastic end tanks hidden in hard-to-see places. Get a flashlight in there and look real close at everything you can see.

2/ The plastic coolant tees at the firewall crack and weep before they fail. Check for stains and moisture there.

3/ The plastic coolant reservoir cracks and leaks. Loosen it and look at the underside.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

 

[dkad260]

The radiators on these fail first by weeping through cracks in the plastic end tanks hidden in hard-to-see places. Get a flashlight in there and look real close at everything you can see.

That's where mine was leaking, replaced it last year.