replaced just about everything Im still leaking coolant like crazy

138,000 MILES • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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BUBBAGREEN96
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  • 1 POST
I have a 96 dodge ram 1500 5.9 360 that overheated over the weekend and fried everything along the way. Ive replaced just about everything inbetween the radiator and the block and Im still leaking coolant like crazy. Got any ideas to fix the problem?
Oct 15, 2009 at 4:16 AM
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CH112063
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,320 POSTS
Did you ever have any pressure applied to it. Or is it such a bad leak that it pours out? Where is it coming down? If you have replaced the radiator and both hoses and all bypass and overflow hoses and water pump and cover you may be leaking from the water pump because it is bad or maybe the gasket is not sealing. After that the heads must come off. You know they sell dye you can put in and see clearly with a black light but usually you can tell where a real bad leak is coming from. There are plenty of sensors screwed into the cooling system. I don't like taking the heads off but if you can't tell where it is coming from the gaskets for all three pieces could have leaks or you will see if there is a crack in the block if you remove the front cover. The radiator cap is new. It is tough enough when your looking at it. Are you having this done or doing it yourself.
Use water and see where the level stops leaking in the system. Was the water pump new. maybe it cracked when installing it. The only place where it could be is there so take it down to the block. Take all pistons out, a crack will pump water like a high pressure pump and cause it to leak in the weirdest ways, even a tiny crack. I hope you can get it fixed. Good truck.
Is oil getting in the water or vice versa?
May 13, 2021 at 5:16 AM
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SQM
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

There could be several reasons for the coolant leak.
Can you provide us with all the items that you have replaced?
This will give us a better idea of the situation.

This leak could be due to a wrapped cylinder head or the block.
It will be a good idea to do a pressure test on the cooling system. This will allow for the leak to be detected easier.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

Please let me know.

Thank you.
Dec 14, 2021 at 3:34 PM
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