HELP! If you have an EMERGENCY situation with your truck, or you need IMMEDIATE technical help, use this board.

My engine knome is stealing my coolant

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 23, 2006 | 06:51 PM
  #1  
SilverHoss99's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
My engine knome is stealing my coolant

I have put 2 gallons of 50/50 coolant anit freeze in in that past 5 days. IT has used all but, i would say 2 quarts of it. I do not know what is going on I thought maybe head gasket ouch just replaced my VP. I am also smelling a sweet aromatic smell in my cab which I have been told is antifreeze or something. I do not know what is going on please any help would be appriciated. Thank you all so much. Ben
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2006 | 07:00 PM
  #2  
JKM's Avatar
JKM
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 0
From: SunnyVale Trailer Park
That smell is the anti freeze , it sounds like your heater core has sprung a leak. FWIW , i am not sure , but i think that breathing in the fumes from anti freeze for too long can be bad for you , but i could be wrong too.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2006 | 07:07 PM
  #3  
torquefan's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 47
From: Calgary, Alberta
Sounds like your heater core may be leaking to some degree. I don't know if that's your entire problem though. If 2 gallons leaked inside your cab, I think you'd know about it. It's possible that the core is leaking into the HVAC housing, then draining out through the evaporator drain tube. The drain tube exits through the firewall, engine side, just under the A/C accumulator. See if it's wet with coolant. Heater core leaks are rare on our trucks, but not unheard of.

The most common leak spots are water pump and head gasket, right at the right front corner.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2006 | 09:33 PM
  #4  
cr1998's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Southeastern Oklahoma
I had a freeze plug on the back side of the block (next to the firewall) with a pin hole sized leak a few years ago. It caused a sweet smell in the cab like you mention. If your heater core is not the problem, you may want to check this. It was kind of tough to find, though. Had to use a small mirror to locate the exact location of the leak.

CR
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2006 | 09:46 PM
  #5  
Crimedog's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 1
From: MN
Check your oil just to make sure that you don't have any coolant in the oil. Smell the exhaust to see if you can smell the same smell you do inside the cab, too.
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2006 | 08:58 PM
  #6  
billrk1999's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: California
Post

The smell suggests anti- freeze. Is the floor carpet moist or wet at all? Lift the carpet/mat and look for moisture.
Is there any stronger smell when the heater is on? Do the windows get moisture on them?
I've had this in two non-Dodge vehicles over the years. Both were a heater core leak.

Good luck!
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2006 | 09:25 PM
  #7  
Stamey's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 7
From: Powhatan, Virginia
I just HOPE it's the heater core, and not the block. If your AC drain tube is clear, as it should be, you won't have a leak inside the truck as it all drains out on the ground.

Chris
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
larrybartlett
3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2007 and up
15
Dec 6, 2010 09:49 PM
yepuhuh
3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007
62
Apr 13, 2009 07:13 PM
Mexstan
Other
10
Jul 5, 2008 10:01 AM
zill
Other
64
Feb 16, 2008 12:02 PM
hotdram
Other
5
Aug 19, 2005 08:31 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:29 PM.