I just got my engine oil analysis back from Blackstone Labs and they noticed the aluminum and potassium content were higher than normal and they suggested I check for a coolant leak.

How do I go about this? My truck is an 03, and I have to admit I don't check the coolant level that often, but before a recent trip, I noticed the coolant level was down almost 2gallons, which was below the lower mark. Does a usage of 2 gallons in a 3 yr period sound normal?

Also I used well water (hard water) to fill up the coolant level cause I was in a fix...Do I need to flush and refill with HOAT coolant/distilled water? Can the system be pressure checked and will this show any head gasket seepage?

I need some ideas on figuring this out.

Thanks,
Josh

 

It's not normal to "use" coolant.

Yes, you can pressure check it. is the coolant level holding steady now? Since you are not getting oil in the water it's not the oil cooler. It sounds like a small head gasket leak, a retorque may set it right.

 

wannadiesel...thanks for the advice...They just told me the aluminum looked a bit high at 8ppm and the potassium as well at 30ppm, which THEY SAID indicated a coolant leak...thanks for the idea of retorquing the head bolts. I'm taking it to the dealer...but I really don't trust them to hold a pressure on it long enough to find a minute leak like that...I mean 2 gallons isn't much over a 3 yrs time if you think about it...it would be like a drip...they didn't mention any antifreeze in the oil however...they just put a question mark there...

Oh, and I'm sorry, but my computer has been screwy and I didn't think I got my first thread posted, but now there are two...the other post has more response...https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ght=Blackstone

Thanks again,
Josh