1997 GMC C2500 Coolant

Ok first off is the coolant low? Is the truck getting hot? What is the temp where you are? Get back to me and we will see where that leads us ok and God Bless.

Thanks for the reply. Yes the coolant was low. I added some and then I drove it, and I couldn't see any change in the level. It runs a little over 150. There is no engine knocks or noises. When I just changed the oil, it didn't look too bad, pretty normal, black, not milky color.

So right now it isn't over heating. The outside temp has been about 30 at night and 50's to 60's during the day.

I really appreciate you help!

God bless,

John

I just drove it and put about 100 miles on it today. The coolant level was great, and the temp stayed 160 the whole time. I haven't seen any more coolant dripping out of the exhaust.

My question, could it be that when it warms up then it fixes the problem (but yesterday it leaked even when it was warm???)? I also just (yesterday) changed the oil and I put Lucas stop leak and oil stabilizer in. Could that have had an affect?

Thanks for your help.

God bless,

John

Ok if the coolant is staying full and the temp where it belongs then condensation is the only thing it could have been. Also what color anti freeze are you using? As for why it isn't dripping now is hard to say but I do know that the thickness of the exhaust pipe can have alot to do with how much condensation it will build up. Get back tome and we will go from there.

Okay, first off I am back home, so I am set (in a way). I have tasted (I know it is terrible and it has voided my warranty...) the fluid, and it tasted a little salty. I just added green coolant. The coolant that it had before was more of a clear color.

I figured out that the coolant (I am pretty sure that is what it is, but again not positive) vaporizes when the muffler is hot. When I was driving, and then would stop, it wouldn't be dripping. I got home let it sit for an hour or two, and it was dripping again. The exhaust smells somewhat like coolant.

Would a semi blow head gasket have the coolant leaking symptoms? I haven't noticed the coolant going down. I have a reservoir for the coolant, and that has appeared to stay pretty much the same. I have check the radiator itself to make sure that it is full, and it is filled to the brim.

I wonder if it is condensation. I know what condensation is on a cold morning. Today it was sixty's and dripping. Also would condensation drip that much? It is a somewhat steady drip, nothing real fast.

So I guess I am wondering if it is a failing head gasket, if the fluid is coolant. What do you think?

Thanks a lot for your help! I tried to give you a five star rating, but it would let me. It said that I didn't have enough points to give...

God bless,

John

Ok with the nature of the vehicle I would say that you have a bad intake gasket. The intake gaskets are plastic with rubber seals and they go bad alot. You can test that by doing or having a pressure test done on the radiator and seeing if it hold pressure. If not then that is what I would replace as it is a very common problem with GM.
My the Lord Bless you and Keep you on this day his day.

I really appreciate your help. I took it to my local mechanic and he said the the head gaskets were fine. Whhhewwww. Lord sure took care of me there! Thanks for the tip on the bad intake gasket. I will have it pressure tested. I also got a water pump, since the old one is going bad. I am going to replace the t-stat at the same time. I got the one that if it fails it is in the open position.

Thanks for your help. We should be good now.

God bless,

John

OK great let me know how it goes and if there is anything more you need then just ask. Thanks and May the Lord be with you. God Bless.

BTW, I need new bushings for my left front driver door. Can you give me a link so I can order from here, and you get credits?

Let me know...

God bless,

John

Thanks for the offer but we do not have parts to sell. So you will have to go to your favorite local parts store and get it there. Now if you would before putting the new pins and bushing in soak the bushings in oil and force oil into it as it is a porus bushing then it will last longer too.

Thanks so much for the idea. Too bad you all don't sell parts. Now I am going to replace the water pump and T-stat. I think I can get those in this afternoon.

Thanks again for all of your help.

God bless,

John

No problem let me know how it goes. Thanks and God Bless.

Water pump and Tstat went in pretty well. Of course I took the fan and clutch assembly off with the old pump, and had to re-assemble it again to use the belt to take the fan clutch off, but that is they way things go. Otherwise everything is in and doing fine.

Thanks for your help.

God bless,

John

Ok great glad to hear it. If you need anything else just ask. Thanks again and God Bless