Coolant leak?

Well, it seems I have a coolant leak on my 2000 V8 AC.

Truck has 133k miles, I've noticed heat not working at idle, and I've been hunting for a reason why. I finally tracked the coolant levels going down from "full" to "low" or under in the expansion reservoir. I just added some coolant the other day, and it is low gain.

So, I just rented one of those coolant system pressure testing kits from AutoZone. I used #7 adapter, pressurized the system to .9 or 1.0 (based on the cap saying .9) and looked for leaks. None, anywhere. Nothing on the radiator, nothing on the hoses going in or out, nothing on the expansion reservoir, nothing in the lines going into the firewall, nothing leaking on the ground, no puddles anywhere. As I was doing this, the pressure on the pump didn't go down from the levels I pumped it to.

Any ideas what am I looking into here? I know I am loosing coolant somewhere for sure. I guess I might be burning it?

Does this seem like a bad gasket somewhere?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thank you!

 

What do your oil and transmission fluid look like?

 

I was just about to say this. Better pray it isn't getting into the oil. I just talked to a first gen guy I follow on Instagram that had a head gasket failure.

 

Might need a new radiator cap.

 

Didn’t check - I changed all the fluids recently. I’ll check today.

 

Just got a brand new one the other day.

 

I’ll go and check. Not the end of the world if I need to replace the head gaskets, but I was hoping it would be a hose somewhere ...

What am I looking for in the oil and fluid levels?

 

The transmission cooler is built into the bottom of the radiator and if a leak occurs coolant ends up filling the transmission.

If it's caught early no problems after a couple fluid changes.

 

How would I know if I have coolant in the transmission cooler?

 

It will end up in the transmission too. The fluid will be foamy and pink instead of clear red.

 

Crap. Can you see that in the dipstick or do you have to drain? I literally did new fluids miles ago.

 

I'd imagine it would be noticeable on the dipstick.

Given you did a pressure check I'd say you're probably ok, but something to look at.

 

Just a note that when the engine is at operating temps the reserve reservior will read higher on the measuring marks. When you check the same reservior when the engine is cold, then the level will be much lower. You probably already know this.

How does your exhaust smell?

 

No clue on the smell. Am I supposed to be able to smell the coolant?

Now I have another problem. I hear a noise coming from the back. It seems that it’s coming from where the diff and driveshaft are connected. I greased all the joints just a few weeks ago. Ugh... this truck is supposed to become my daily in a year. It seems I have a bit of work ahead of me.

 

Assuming your coolant is disappearing.

 

You may detect a sweet smell.

http://www.agcoauto.com/

Use the search bar on the link. Guy uses the W. Edwards Demming Philosophy. Read up on it as he is the reason why Toyota is what it is today.