Where's It Going (coolant)???

[Old Goat]

2005 XL...adding 1/2" a week. Three garages + the Dealer all say: "I dunno"!
No symptoms like rough idle (could balance a nickel on it), loss of MPG (none - gets 22 on the road), smell outside-or-in (none).

Did the big 4 Tests multiple times at different garages: Visual look, Pressure test (always good), Dye Test (no visible leaks), Head Gasket test (fine).
Then why have I added 1/2" coolant weekly for the past year???

Had my 05 Tahoe doing that and it turned out to be the heater hose quick connects from factory at the firewall leaking a drip and not being detected.

Replacements for them found at O'riellys and fixed it right up.

Run your finger at the bottom of them to see if you detect a wet area.

 

[iamdub]

Run your finger at the bottom of them to see if you detect a wet area.

My dad told me of this trick when I was in high school. It got me detention a few times.

 

[OR VietVet]

My dad told me of this trick when I was in high school. It got me detention a few times.

You'll have that.

 

[exp500]

Likely got you more than detention, probably had a line of volunteers.

 

[DCT]

I had similar issue with my 5.3L, 300k miles. Drove me crazy. I've tried those GM tabs of walnut dust, LOL. It was the water pump. It has a small hole in the bottom. Leak was so slow and kept coolant would dry up before dripping on the ground.

 

[OR VietVet]

You mean the weep hole that is so it will leak coolant when the bearing loosens up to warn you before the front of the pump flies off and in to the radiator?

 

[DCT]

Yeah, that hole.

 

[OR VietVet]

Yea, well, that hole is there on purpose to show the fluid leak. Good to catch it when it is just seepage instead of a steady drip.

 

[DCT]

Correct. That’s why I mention it. Doesn’t hurt to double check it.

 

[OR VietVet]

I get it but the way you said it, "It has a hole in the bottom" makes it sound like another hole other than the weep hole that is always there. Misunderstood and context got in the way.