Coolant Consumption

[foxracer025]

Do a black stone laboratories oil test. It will tell you exactly how much coolant is making it into your oil.

Thanks. Just filled out their form to get a test kit.

 

[jason952]

There were supposedly a series of engine with bad castings of the heads, my buddy had one on a 05 model and had to replace, for him was cheaper to go with an engine from a recycler. GM wouldn't replace for him.


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[jetskier111]

Yeah- sounds like the Castech head issue once again. Do some searching for them- there is a lot of info on them out there.

 

[foxracer025]

I've read about the Castech heads. I think at this point with 171k on the engine I'm going to keep driving it till it gets really bad then just have the engine replaced. The new engine will come with a 3yr 100k mile warranty.

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[YukonXL04]

My water pump is leaking. Oddly enough it's not the weep hole. It's the gasket on mine. Wasn't there a way to run the vin and see if you got the castech heads or not?

 

[FrankU]

Also, I didn't think there was any water running through the Ls intake. That's why they have the bypass hose.

I stand corrected. You are correct.

 

[foxracer025]

I just sent in the Blackstone labs test over the weekend so it will be a week or so before I get the results. I'm almost positive that I have the Castech heads and one of them if not both are cracked. At this point there is no point in investing in heads, valves, springs etc. I can get a complete new engine for $2800.

But I do plan on driving it till the engine blows or throws a bearing. I called and put towing on my insurance just in case. It only cost a $1 a month more so I figured what the hell.

Now I am wondering if what the cost difference is to get the 6.0 vs the 5.3L...

 

[LoboDagaz]

unfortunately I had the same issue with the Castech heads. As soon as I took off the valve covers I saw where the coolant was coming from. Keep in mind I ran the engine for a year or so with coolant disappearing. I though of going the 6.0 route but figured it would couse more issues with the trannny down the road.

I ended up getting a rebuilt engine from promarengine.com for $2400. They accommodated me by staying away from any castech heads. I got a a 3yr unlimited mile warranty and if the engine craps out they pay for the removal and re-instillation.

 

[foxracer025]

Did you have a shop install the engine or did you do it yourself?

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[bottomline2000]

Castech heads have 706 stamped on the head. I would think you could find stock heads pretty cheap since a lot of guys seem to upgrade them. I have the same problem and the coolant in the oil is making it look thick like sludge. I have a low mileage lq4 going in and I plan to do it myself. I jacked up my hoist doing motor mounts in my other car, but it shouldn't be impossible to do and no way I'm paying $5k for someone else to.