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

 

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....

 

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

 

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

Dan

 

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.