Coolant problem, I have been having to add coolant every 2-3 days?

Tiny
GOODY1966
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I’m seeing a lot of people with different years are having this problem on Reddit. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say they were to lazy to go out of the spectrum of the coverage of warranty, which is only internals and drivetrain. I bought the car new at that time and location because that specific dealership doubled manufactures warranty of 10yr/100, 00 which gave me 20yr/200,000 mile warranty. Or the techs are unknowlagable or lazy to do the job their paid to do. I’m wondering why that part is so expensive? You can get oem off eBay for about 150 verses 450+ anywhere else. I’m not a fan of eBay or items that are not 100% equivalent to original, but I am on a fixed income and with the economy the way it’s been lately, these unexpected failures hurt. Yes let me know, I’m going to have a little time till I can come up with the xtra bucks for the cooler and I’m also going to look into replacing the EGR valve right away at same time. The diagrams I’m finding don’t really show the EGR valve with the cooler in same diagrams so I’m going to keep looking.
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Monday, February 5th, 2024 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
AL514
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Well, the techs at the dealership are most likely flat rate, so they only get paid so much for each job they do, and probably only a certain amount of time for diagnostics, so I don't think it's that they are lazy or lack knowledge, it's just that they can't spend all day on something if they are only going to get paid 1 hour for diags. Dealerships differ in how they pay their guys for diagnostics. But before you go purchase the EGR cooler, let me see if I can break down these replacement diagrams, and see if you could check inside the actual cooler pipe for any signs of coolant, I'd feel terrible if you replaced a $450.00 part and that doesn't fix your issue. I thought the dealership would have possibly checked inside of it or inside the exhaust manifold when they had the engine out. That would be the logical thing to do, but since the EGR cooler is there to cool the exhaust gases being sent into the intake when needed, it looks like the coolant is pumped around the EGR tube to cool the exhaust which makes sense.
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Monday, February 5th, 2024 AT 3:15 PM
Tiny
AL514
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You could unbolt this tube running to the bottom of the exhaust manifold, and leave it off over night and see if any coolant is leaking out of it, thats the end of the EGR cooler, so if coolant is leaking into the exhaust, it might be at that end, especially since its the lower section.
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Monday, February 5th, 2024 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
GOODY1966
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I was trying to figure out what I could do exactly to test what parts of the EGR cooling system to see exactly what and where the leakage is occurring. If I take off the EGR cooling pipe you suggested, apparently, I’m not going to do it while hot, so once cooled off and removed would I still get leakage while sitting still not running? I do believe when the car sits with motor running and then switches to electric mode everything seems good but when it kicks from electric back to motor mode, I think I notice that I get more steam out the tailpipe than what should be. It’s kind of tricky in this colder weather for me to know what’s normal to notice exhaust wise with colder temperatures on what should be and shouldn’t be coming out tailpipe appearance wise. If that makes any sense to you. Nor can I monitor appearance while driving it on what it’s doing under acceleration or engine switching modes. Would it make sense to take the cooler pipe off as suggested? What if my coolant loss is only happening during pressure of the pump running? I’m going to also say it probably wouldn’t be the greatest idea to try to run anything with the pipe off, other than an exhaust leak could anything in the emissions system get messed up if I would try to run the car up to operating temperature after the pipe is cool enough to remove?
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 6:37 AM
Tiny
AL514
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No, you can't run the vehicle with that EGR pipe off, because it will be like a big hole in the exhaust. I was just suggesting that section for one, because you can get to it, and it's the lowest section of the EGR cooler. So, if coolant is puddling up or leaking out of the cooler jacket it should show up there. and after I posted that, I had another tech message me the same thing, "check the EGR cooler because they can leak inside." If you have thick gloves to where you can remove that pipe after the vehicle cools off a little, or you can just take it off and let it sit and see if anything drips out overnight.
There looks to be 2 bolts on the outer pipe that's attached to the exhaust manifold, and then there are 2 nuts with studs that bolt to the Cooler itself.
If you ran the vehicle with that pipe off it would be so loud and it would also affect the oxygen sensors, so that wouldn't work. The only real options are to remove it hot or cold and let it sit. If you're going through that much coolant, I think you should see it dripping if that's the issue.
Or the last option is to pressurize the system with that pipe off, that will act the same as if the engine were running with 15-18PSI of pressure. If it's cracked inside and opening up when it's hot, it should still leak with a pressure kit on the radiator opening.

Here's the guide to pressure testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
GOODY1966
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Okay, that’s what I expected. I was in Cory today and had no time to investigate anything. But I did look around when I got home, and I’ll send a video of the EGR pipe on driver’s side where it goes into cooler. So next thing I’m wondering is could the head leak fluid into the EGR tube? Cause what I see in video is definitely not much of the amount I’m going through. Not to mention this was not noticed all the times I looked prior.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
GOODY1966
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Here’s another but still bad video. And I just want to let you know how grateful I am for your help, people like you are hard to find these days.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 2:20 PM
Tiny
AL514
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It's difficult to see what you're seeing there. I do see the dye.
Is this the same bolt as in your video? I can't tell if you're looking at the EGR possibly by the side. Are you meaning the head gasket leak coolant out externally onto the EGR tube? If so. I would hope it wouldn't considering how many times it has been replaced. That being said, yes it possible for head gaskets to leak externally.
Although looking at the video a couple of times, that looks like you're looking directly down at the cooler tube and that bolt is the upper bolt for the cooler to EGR tube. The cooling hoses above that and below it is where the coolant is circulated around the EGR tube, cooling off the exhaust gases before they reach the EGR valve.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 2:40 PM
Tiny
AL514
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I'm glad to help, this is a tough one, but I do now see liquid coolant there on top of the cooler. So, the problem is getting worse.
Almost looks like it's starting to seep out of the top of it now. And I'll bet that thing has been taken apart a bunch of times.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
AL514
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Sorry for all my wonderful artwork but check to see if that EGR tube has coolant running down on the underside of it, if it's not too hot. I didn't see anything in the video from the hoses above it, although I could have missed something.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 2:57 PM
Tiny
GOODY1966
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On the hoses it looked like dry spritzes of the die and at the bottom of the flange was an actual drop or two accumulations coming out of flange. I don’t believe anything is running down the tube itself, I had my hands and phone in there and didn’t feel any wetness, but I will double check and keep an eye on it till I can verify it’s just the cooler and not somehow running out of the head into tube for gases.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 3:07 PM
Tiny
AL514
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I think if anything, it's leaking probably out of the top of the cooler, and then probably into the tube right where it bolts up there. So here is what you need to do: when it has cooled off, unbolt the EGR tube from the EGR valve, and check that flange you mentioned where it bolts up, check for any cracks where it's leaking out and most likely internal as well. I think you're on the right track there. That tube will have gaskets on either end that will need to be replaced but let's find our leak there first.
The torque specs for those bolts are 13-17 ft lbs.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 3:28 PM
Tiny
GOODY1966
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Just rechecked the EGR pipe and nothing on the underside like it would be coming out the EGR valve housing. I keep calling it the head. And nothing dripping down onto the pipe that I can see or feel. I believe it’s coming out between the pipe and the flange itself or possibly a pin hole in pipe. Regardless it’s either the cooler or coming down the EGR tube from valve, sound correct?
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
AL514
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That entire assembly the EGR valve is bolted to is that Water Temperature Control Assembly, the 1st picture is from the back side of the Temp Control assembly, and the 2nd picture is from the front, that tube above the EGR tube in my last post is also a coolant pipe, it just doesn't have its rubber hose attached to it, but you would notice more coolant on the ground if it was coming from any external cooling lines. So, we want to be 100% sure of what's leaking, especially with a $450.00 part.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
GOODY1966
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Where I am seeing coolant is the driver side EGR tube on the bottom bolt of where it bolts to the cooler. Not appearing to run down or drip off of anything. Looks like it’s coming from in between the pipe and the flange that holds it on. So, in order to lose the amount of coolant that I’m losing it would need to run in to the cooler and out the EGR tube that goes from the end of cooler to exhaust manifold. Sound right? I have a habit of overthinking and doubting myself. So, it’s got to be the jacket inside the cooler that went bad unless it’s coming out of EGR valve housing and running in that way. And my wife just returned from store, and she said she heard it gurgle again across the front under her dash when she was inside car before she left, and I was outside feeling around for wetness on pipe and hoses and I heard nothing.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
GOODY1966
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I agree about being 100% correct on solving this because I can’t afford to just throw parts at it at 500 a part plus labor if I decide not to do it myself. I’m certain this doesn’t fall under warranty due to milage. There was nothing wet at the temperature control assembly. Nor did I never have a drop of any coolant hit the ground, not even a sight of coolant until today on that video I sent.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 4:03 PM
Tiny
AL514
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Yes, you are thinking the same thing I am, she's hearing the gurgling from the air that's getting into the heater core and running through the dash. Thats just because coolant is leaving the cooling system and air is being drawn in. Once you pull that EGR tube we should have a much better idea of how it leaking. But it's almost good that it got a little worse there, it gives more reason to pull the EGR tube for inspection. You mentioned the exhaust having some extra steam, so the coolant is running right into the exhaust manifold it appears. You might not always notice the water exiting the exhaust too when the electric motor is doing the work.
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Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 AT 4:07 PM
Tiny
AL514
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Hello, did you happen to find the leak? Were we in the correct location?
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Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
GOODY1966
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I believe we are correct with the EGR cooler being the culprit. I’m still putting coolant in until I have the part in my hand to replace when I tear it apart. Still got to save up to get one. Let me ask you: they cost 400-650 dollars on average everywhere I look. I do ones on eBay as low as 150 up to what dealer's charge. I’m not sure if I trust eBay. The difference I think that’s going to make one better than the other is the material it’s made from. They all pretty much made in Korea no matter where you get one. In your opinion what material would you think would be the best to hold up in the extreme temperature of EGR gas going through it as well as something that doesn’t rust really easy. I would tend to assume the temp changes from gases and the cooling from the coolant probably is what would cause them to crack internally and cause them to leak.
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Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
AL514
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I would at least up bolt that top part where we saw the drip of coolant sitting, there's only 2 bolts there. Just to verify that's really the section of the cooler you need. If coolant starts coming out once you unbolt that, you know what's up. Then just tighten the bolts back up. I looked through All Data but could not find a part number for it, which is not surprising.

If possible, can you identify this as the correct part number, you can call the dealership and just tell them you may need the part and want to verify the correct part number by your vin# and let them know you'll get back to them. I found one for extremely cheap price, made in China, I'm going to search a couple other places for a part number. It's possible if this thing is just cracked somewhere, to find someone that could maybe weld a bead over the crack depending on where it is.

This is something I think you may be able to get out without having to remove the manifold, if you take it out from underneath. I'm a big fan of saving money wherever possible. The gaskets I think you will need to get from the dealership, we don't want them to leak. But they shouldnt be too much, you can ask the dealer on those if you call for the correct part number.

I'm not against you buying a less expensive one, I understand how these things go. That was the whole reason I became a tech to begin with, to save money and fix my own vehicles. I'm thinking a weld cracked right around this top ring here where the internal pipe is inserted. I see one on here for about 140, same part number I'm seeing at other locations on that year and model. I would confirm the issue though. After all this, even if you just unbolt the bottom section that goes into the manifold, you should see coolant drip out without even having to fully remove the bolts.
Even this super cheap one is listing the same part number, you could also call around to some used parts yards and see if there's a wrecked vehicle to take one off of. I wouldn't spend $500.00 on this either. So, a few options to think about.
But let us know of the outcome, if this is the problem, it will help others in the future if we see this again.
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Wednesday, February 14th, 2024 AT 10:05 AM

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