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coolant leak?

Old Aug 16, 2013 | 08:03 AM
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need some opinions. DesertStorm is losing coolant. Every couple weeks i have to add a gallon to it. I only put about 50 miles a week on it so that is fairly quick to lose that much. There are no visible leaks anywhere. Water pump is not seeping, intake manifold is dry, coolant reservoir is dry.. nothing. Any ideas on where it could be going?
 
Old Aug 16, 2013 | 09:03 AM
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is it in the oil?
 
Old Aug 16, 2013 | 09:20 AM
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no coolant in the oil. looks a little dirty so probably almost time to change it but looks like oil... forgot to add its a 97 4d 4x4
 
Old Aug 16, 2013 | 09:49 AM
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Have you let it sit and idle for 20 minutes and then checked for dripping coolant?

Something else to try is to remove the radiator cap (cold engine), start engine and watch the coolant at the radiator for bubbles. This would indicated a blown head gasket. Could also check the exhaust pipe for white smoke and coolant smell.

Good luck.
 
Old Aug 16, 2013 | 09:54 AM
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no white smoke or coolant smell in exhaust. i will check the radiator when i go to lunch since i have to add coolant to it anyways
 
Old Aug 16, 2013 | 10:37 AM
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check ur trans fluid
 
Old Aug 16, 2013 | 01:10 PM
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So, there are no exterior leaks, it's not burning it, and it's not going into the oil? If your transmission cooling pipe is cracked inside the rad, it could leak into the trans, but that's a lot of water you're losing.
I would bet on an external LIM gasket leak, and the coolant is evaporating before it drips to the ground.
 
Old Aug 16, 2013 | 04:28 PM
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i havent checked the trans fluid yet... i will check that this weekend... im gonna throw a couple seal tabs in it to see if that helps any.
 
Old Aug 16, 2013 | 06:17 PM
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seal tabs? enjoy replacing the rad. every time ive used a stop leak in it its killed the rad.


No coolant in oil? unless u wanna spend money to heck with it. add water. You'll find it eventually.
 
Old Aug 16, 2013 | 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by chris015
seal tabs? enjoy replacing the rad. every time ive used a stop leak in it its killed the rad.


No coolant in oil? unless u wanna spend money to heck with it. add water. You'll find it eventually.

THIS. Don't mess with that stop leak junk. I've had to replace a radiator once because of it also.

You can keep adding water to it for a long time, until you can figure out how to fix it right. Water is practically free out of the tap! And as long as you keep the radiator full, it's not going to hurt anything.

There is a leak somewhere, it's not just magically disappearing, lol. Take the time and fix it right.
 

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