2003 Tahoe coolant system leak or head gasket leak?

[iamdub]

Good to know. Waiting on Blackstone at thr moment to confirm coolant in oil. With a job this big, I want to be absolutely sure. I likely will need your help again. Be in touch soon.

That's what we're here for! I'm a bit of a documenter with text and words, so I might have helpful pics and info in my build thread. Reinstallation of heads starts on page 69: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/growing-up-doesnt-have-to-suck.93510/page-69

 

[tomloans]

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/growing-up-doesnt-have-to-suck.93510/page-69

This is great!

 

[iamdub]

This is great!

Thank you! I hope you find it useful.

 

[tomloans]

Thank you! I hope you find it useful.

Found it I think. What is odd is that there is very little gunk built up on this side. Check out these pics...

 

[tomloans]

Found it I think. What is odd is that there is very little gunk built up on this side. Check out these pics...

Found it I think. What is odd is that there is very little gunk built up on this side. Check out these pics...

 

[ivin74]

Found it I think. What is odd is that there is very little gunk built up on this side. Check out these pics...

Clean the area with carb cleaner to see it the crack shows up.

 

[afpj]

Did you ever put the uv dye in the coolant?

 

[tomloans]

Di

Did you ever put the uv dye in the coolant?

No I did not but in the pictures above the fluid is a clear orange. It is radiator fluid and very clear as I had just recently changed the fluid. I sent the oil out to Blackstone and should have the confirmation from them as well.

 

[tomloans]

Clean the area with carb cleaner to see it the crack shows up.

I will.

 

[iamdub]

Found it I think. What is odd is that there is very little gunk built up on this side. Check out these pics...

Sorry, work had me hemmed up the past few days.

That is 100% a clean spot from coolant. Being around the head bolt is the typical Castech failure. There's very little gunk because the leak is very small and only happens when it's up to operating temp and you caught it early. Compared to how bad my brother's was and it's running like a champ, I'd say yours would be just fine with new heads. I keep meaning to dig up the pics of what I found in his engine, but I see a lot of squirrels.