1997 Chevy Tahoe Radiator looses fluid daily

DAVEMAN

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
13,000 MILES

I have a 97 Chevy Tahoe. I am loosing fluid somewhere out of the radiator which eventually causes the truck to over heat. I have to add fluid to the radiator every other day. There is no water in the oil and none in the transmission, the only place I can see fluid dripping out is from a little nozzle that looks like an overflow on the pasengers side firewall of the engine compartment. I am assuming the heater core is on the other side of the firewall. The heater works fine and no visible problems such as smoke or steam coming from the vents and nothing leakig inside the cab and no antifreeze smell. Any suggestions as to my problem. I have also replaced the radiator cap and I see no fluid coming from the water pump. The car runs fine and cool as long as I keep adding antifreeze & water. When the engine is turned off I can hear a hissing sound but it is the coolant dripping from the little nozzle on the firewall.

Thanks for your time.

2 Replies

DAVEMAN

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2 POSTS

This is a test to see if it works

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Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 AT 3:48 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

When the engine is turned off I can hear a hissing sound but it is the coolant dripping from the little nozzle on the firewall.

This nozzle is it involve with the overflow from the resevoir bottle.

Try replacing the thermostat-not it do the following below:

Have it block and pressure tested-do the block first to pinpoint a combustion leaking into the cooling system or a gas analyzer to sniff for hydrocarbons at the radiator fill neck.

Pressure test: do not do a pressure test if there's leakage at the headgasket this might cause coolant into the cylinders and lock it up or bend a connecting rod if cranked thereafter. The headgasket should be repaired before doing the pressure test.

If the block and pressure test passes check the following:, Pressure test the Rad. Cap, Clogged radiator, air lock in the cooling system, Fan clutch, Radiator electrical fan, collaspe hoses, water pump.