barracuda

Hello all, the wife drives a 99' tahoe (5.7 ltr)...im wondering if anyone can help me w/ the following problem: the truck seems to dump a little anti-freeze when it is first started...at least i think it's during start-up, it could be during shutdown too...i heard this could be caused by a cracked plastic manifold or some plastic valve?!? ...any ideas/sugg's where to look or any known common problems would be a great help...i wish didge would just give me a cummins powered durango already! i wouldnt have to post such a silly question anymore....thanks

scottrod

Cuda-
My wifes would puke it out mostly at shut down. I changed the water pump and it doesnt leak a drop anymore. Use an inspection mirror and flashlight to see under the pump and check for weeping.
Dunno if that's your problem, I'd take a peek at it tho.
Oh yeah- it had 41k miles on it when it went out....

AKDSLDOG

After driving I would do all my checks, "scottrod" is correct, the listtle hole is iegther on top of the water pump or below it. Other thing's to check~ on a creeper, look "up" from the back of the eng. and check the rear corners of the head, check all hose connections and pressure test the radiator and whole system.

Good Luck

DF5152

i agree with the water pump...if u want to drive over i'll presure test the sytem for you.

Dan

Redleg

The vortecs are prone to intake manifolds leaking. They don't use permatex or a conventional gasket. They use the O-ring style rubber seal. This dries out fast and cracks. Goes before 100,000 miles quite often. Around $500 through a dealer with labor. Did my water pump first, then found it was the manifold gasket. Seems everybody I know has found out this after replacing the water pump first. Water pump is fairly easy itself, goose neck is real easy. Got rid of the truck before I did the manifold.