Coolant leak

Tiny
LAYTRON3030
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 174,000 MILES
So lately I have been losing coolant rather quickly. I took it into a shop where it sat for days on 20psi and they could not find where it is going either. I have changed the reservoir cap as well thinking the seal went bad. I do not believe it is a head gasket either as the oil is not milky, and there is no visible leaks/drips anywhere. Could it be a manifold gasket? This is keeping me up and night and stressing me out! I am desperate guys! Please help.
Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 AT 3:04 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
The intake gasket is a definite possibility. A fairly easy way to look for it is to pull a couple of spark plugs out. If they are really really clean looking, then you know coolant has been getting into the combustion chamber. Here is a guide on replacing spark plugs: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-spark-plugs

Also, just because the oil is not milky does not mean that the head gasket is not leaking. There is a very specific test that looks for exhaust gases in the coolant. Here is a how-to guide for it: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

My opinion, you have got to run these tests. The one for a leaking intake gasket is free, so start with it if you can. Good luck and let us know what you find.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 AT 5:25 AM
Tiny
LAYTRON3030
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you so much. I will get these done and let you know.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 AT 11:47 AM
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
When the engine is cold it might not show a head gasket leak, when the engine is hot it expands some. That may be why the shop may not have found it. I agree that it may be a intake manifold leak. The other leaks would leave a tell tale sign of a leak if it was anything else. Does the engine look dry in all the spots you can see?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 AT 7:23 AM
Tiny
LAYTRON3030
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yep, completely dry everywhere. It went from the -40's and -30's to above 30 in a few days. Weather is rough on vehicles up in Montana, haha. Going to run an intake leak test today.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 3rd, 2018 AT 10:10 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,722 POSTS
Hello,

I have seen where the water pump will only leak when the engine is running can you confirm the weep hole is dry?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Please run down these guides and diagrams and report back

Cheers, Ken
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 5th, 2018 AT 1:05 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links