Hi all. I have a 97 Blazer that has disappearing coolant. It has a new water pump and I had the coolant flushed. There are NO visible leaks and a leak test failed to show the source of the lost coolant. I don't smell coolant and the oil does not have any sign of coolant in it. My mechanic does not want to start changing parts without knowing for sure what is the cause, but I can't afford to keep adding coolant every week.

I have read that these vehicles tend to have issues with the intake manifold gasket but shouldn't there be some sort of visible antifreeze if that is the problem?

Advice is appreciated.

 

Well since these vehicles have issues with the intake manifold gasket, I am going to just have my mechanic go ahead and replace that part. I also read about people changing out the radiator cap, so I will have that done too. Whoever designed those radiator caps sure missed that mark on that one. Those caps are stupid and hard to get off! Replacing the intake manifold gasket will cost me close to $300, so I hope that fixes the mystery of the disappearing coolant.

 

Ok I took my Blazer for a drive today and when I turn the heat on there is the faint odor of antifreeze. So now I am thinking...heater core is going out. Can anyone confirm that?

 

Had the same problem changed the intake gaskets that fixed it for me. The heater could be pulling the smell of coolant from the engine compartment.

 

Also i had no coolant on the outside of the motor but had to keep adding talked to a guy were i work and he helped me figure it out. He was a mechanic still does some on the side

 

if you smell coolant when the heats on,i bet cha the heater core is bad.

Do this for kicks. ask him to bypass the core for a bit. shouldnt cost much. just a brass flared coupling to connect the lines together with. Drive it around for a week or 2,and see if coolant issues stopped,if so theres your issue. No sense is spending 300 for a gasket job before you test it right? hurry up and get it done as its getting chilly. lol

bypassed core=no heat.

 

i had the same issue on mine. I was loosing about a gallon every 100 miles.. i know its taboo to a lot of people but i put in 4 of the bars leak seal tabs and filled it with fresh coolant. been going good now for about 500 miles with no more leaks/running hot.

cost = $5

 

I do not recommend this, at all. Fix it the right way.

 

It is already too cold here in North Idaho to go without heat. I also refuse to put stop leak in my system, it gums up the whole thing and I just spent $84 having my system flushed. I am taking her to a Radiator shop on Monday to have him figure out where the leak is.

 

Let us know how it turns out. I too am having a leak, fortunately (or unfortunately) I found it. I rented a coolant system pressure tester and sure enough it is leaking at the intake manifold gasket on both sides of the manifold.... Yeay.