Cooling System Not Pressurizing

[Tonyrodz]

Funny, I did look at all that. I don't think it was replaced during the swap, he would've told me. It all appeared dry too. No leaks.

 

[retiredsparky]

If you are smelling antifreeze outside the truck, you have either one or two cracked heads or a bad head gasket. The coolant can only be smelled outside if it is coming out the exhaust, since you are not seeing a leak. Aluminum heads warp easily when overheated. Your engine probably got overheated in its past. Have the heads pressure tested for cracks and checked for warping at a machine shop.

There are also testing kits for detecting combustion gases in the coolant reservoir at auto parts stores.

You could buy a usb type endoscope camera, plug it into your laptop and inspect through each spark plug hole. The steam cleaned pistons will be cleaner looking than the other ones. There are many sources for these cameras, here are some types:

http://www.sears.com/search=5m usb waterproof endoscope borescope inspection camera

Larry

 

[Tonyrodz]

I very faintly smelled coolant under the Hood. Not a strong constant smell, just a faint whiff. I think I might've smelled it around the overflow bottle, but I'm not really sure. It's kind of hard to pinpoint where it's coming from exactly. I've checked the oil and it's fine and there's no coolant smell coming from the exhaust. I just came from a 4 1/2 round trip with no issues at all. Temp gauge was fine, no overheating or running hot at all.

 

[95escahoe]

I very faintly smelled coolant under the Hood. Not a strong constant smell, just a faint whiff. I think I might've smelled it around the overflow bottle, but I'm not really sure. It's kind of hard to pinpoint where it's coming from exactly. I've checked the oil and it's fine and there's no coolant smell coming from the exhaust. I just came from a 4 1/2 round trip with no issues at all. Temp gauge was fine, no overheating or running hot at all.

Your overflow tank could have a small leak somewhere


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[Tonyrodz]

Your overflow tank could have a small leak somewhere


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I would LOVE if that was the issue. I don't see any residue or dampness around it tho.

 

[retiredsparky]

You could buy an ultraviolet dye kit. Add the dye, drive, wait till night, look for leak with the ultraviolet flashlight.

http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-a.../quest-8-oz-engine-coolant-uv-dye/835773_0_0/

 

[Tonyrodz]

You could buy an ultraviolet dye kit. Add the dye, drive, wait till night, look for leak with the ultraviolet flashlight.

http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-a.../quest-8-oz-engine-coolant-uv-dye/835773_0_0/

That's a great idea! Gonna look into that. Thx for the idea.

 

[Russ]

Every decent shop in the country has a cooling system pressure tester for finding such leaks. I am sure they sell them on ebay and amazon if you want one for yourself, or if you check around one of the local parts stores might have a rental. I bought my own many years ago.

 

[afpj]

I noticed after driving for awhile there was no pressure in the upper radiator hose. I occasionally catch a very light odor of antifreeze, outside of the truck. I have a new thermostat and water pump. I had to add antifreeze yesterday to.

I had a similar problem a few years back with the upper hose after a run and engine starting to cool down. First, did you burp the system real good? If so, might be just a bad hose. During a cooling system maintenance, I originally replaced with dayco hose but after seeing that upper hose flatten, I changed to a gates hose (which did seem stiffer) and problem solved (after burping system again of course). Only difference from your situation is I didn't smell coolant.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I had a similar problem a few years back with the upper hose after a run and engine starting to cool down. First, did you burp the system real good? If so, might be just a bad hose. During a cooling system maintenance, I originally replaced with dayco hose but after seeing that upper hose flatten, I changed to a gates hose (which did seem stiffer) and problem solved (after burping system again of course). Only difference from your situation is I didn't smell coolant.

I assume the system was burped. These guys are supposed to know what they're doing. What's the best way to burp it?