I've made a sickening discovery on my truck: my coolant level is actually about 1/2" below the low point marked at the bottom of the reservoir My fear is that this is somehow tied to my very recent sightings of white smoke/steam from my tailpipe(s) at cold start-up... As in possible head gasket problems??!! Can someone please take a look at their coolant reservoir and let me know where the coolant level is with the truck dead cold (i.e. after sitting all day or night)?? Also, does anyone know offhand what coolant to use to top it off? All I now at this point is that it's pink I'd like to add some, make a reference mark, and see what happens over the course of a week or so...

Oh man, I'm just sick to my stomach here

 

Calm down, calm down. It's not time to get all flustered yet. We need to check a few things out first. The coolant you describe is the extended life coolant. You can either top it off or mark the overflow where it is and monitor it from there. As long as the rad is full, we are only talking about the reservoir. Next check all the hose connections for signs of leakage and if the clamps are the screw type, now would be the time to tighten them up. The "steam" you are describing at your tail pipe is normal on cold humid days. It is a product of combustion. After it warms up or the outside air temp warms up, the steam you see will dissappear. Next, when the engine is cold and you first start it up, feel the upper rad hose to see if it builds up pressure in the first 10 min. If not the head gasket is probably OK. If it does, watch the overflow tank for bubbles. When you remove the rad cap when cold, is the rad full to the top of the neck or down a few inches? If it is full the gasket is probably OK. Please do these checks and let us know so we can guide you from here. Good luck

 

Thanks for the tips!!! Here's what I have thus far:

1.) Coolant level in the radiator with the cap removed is full.
2.) White smoke/steam appears not on cold humid days, but rather just the opposite. We have been seeing low 20* temps with relative humidity in the single digits overnight.
3.) All hoses are tight, no signs of leakage at all. I have, however, noted a whiff of the sweet stuff a few times in recent history now that I'm overthinking things... I'll take a really really good look again tonight.
4.) I guess by "pressure" you mean the hose physicall won't squeeze as easily? I'll check that one tonight, too. Should I check with the engine at operating temp, or just within 10 minutes like your post? I ask because I can easily drive for 10 minutes and still not hit normal operating temps...

 

OK, drove home from work (roughly 15 miles, half stop and go, half 65mph freeway) and here's what I found:

1.) At startup, the upper hose was pliable as expected. Firm, but no real resistance to indicate internal pressure.
2.) Once home, the truck was at normal operating temp. Upper hose was firm as could be, felt like there was a ton of pressure inside it. I could barely put a dent in it squeezing with the tips of my fingers...
3.) Coolant level in the reservoir had risen about 1"...
4.) Still no leaks visible from any hose connections...

So, what does all this tell anyone???

 

It tells me you need to worry about something else. Watch your temp gauge and check the fuild levels every other fillup. What are you doing while the truck is filling up? Open the hood and look around!

Take a deep breath, exhale, and relax.

THEN DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!

 

Are you under warranty????

In any case, so far from your descriptions I wouldn't be worried. Just monitor those levels as allready stated.

One other thing I'm curious about.

Pull your oil filler cap off and look at the underside, is it covered with white/grey slime????

 

The 10 min of run time I'm talking about is idleing in your yard with a cold eng. If the head gasket is leaking, there will be lots of pressure. The steam you describe is normal for that temp. To me it sounds like things are normal. Just keep your eye on the fluids weekly and enjoy your truck. Good luck

Howard

 

look at the overflow hose at the radiator for loose connection I found mine completely off and low fluid. Put clamp on and topped off with long-life fluid and all is well, good luck

 

Well, I appreciate everyone's input, and I'm feeling better with all this feedback. Whew... In case you couldn't tell, I am very particular about my truck and actually noticed the low coolant level when I was filling up last time ! I guess I'll pick up some coolant, top 'er off, and call it good. Thanks again everyone!!

 

I noticed my coolant level drop also, I found a leak at the engine block heater where the cord connects to the recepticle. My recepticle was loose, you may want to check that out....