[LabradorBoy]

I have no idea what's going on here, but my 110k mile 3.4L began eating coolant lately and it's really bothering me.

I had this problem once before, but I replaced the water pump @ 95k miles (it was encrusted in baked-on coolant) and that seemed to solve my problem.
I really can't see my water pump going out on me again that fast, so I highly doubt that is the culprit again.

I am really, really hoping that it's not a blown head gasket, that would suck. Mine is a '98, so it should have escaped any possible head gasket issues from the factory. That said, I suppose any vehicle with 110k miles could lose a head gasket... crap. Since the ground is very much snow-covered now, I would notice a coolant leak pretty quick (and I have not seen any coolant on the ground yet), so I am bracing myself for the worst.

Any suggestions, please post up.

-Rob
[email protected]

 

[Crash]

My first thought was a blown head gasket. Might want to get it checked out.

 

[ecar95]

I have no idea what's going on here, but my 110k mile 3.4L began eating coolant lately and it's really bothering me.

I had this problem once before, but I replaced the water pump @ 95k miles (it was encrusted in baked-on coolant) and that seemed to solve my problem.
I really can't see my water pump going out on me again that fast, so I highly doubt that is the culprit again.

I am really, really hoping that it's not a blown head gasket, that would suck. Mine is a '98, so it should have escaped any possible head gasket issues from the factory. That said, I suppose any vehicle with 110k miles could lose a head gasket... crap. Since the ground is very much snow-covered now, I would notice a coolant leak pretty quick (and I have not seen any coolant on the ground yet), so I am bracing myself for the worst.

Any suggestions, please post up.

-Rob
[email protected]

Sounds like a blown head gasket. Excessive white smoke out the exhaust would be an indicator as would bubbling coolant in the radiator or overflow bottle.

 

[BK005]

Check your oil.

 

[LabradorBoy]

Check your oil.

For traces of coolant?

 

[LabradorBoy]

Sounds like a blown head gasket. Excessive white smoke out the exhaust would be an indicator as would bubbling coolant in the radiator or overflow bottle.

The excessive smoke part is hard to diagnose, it's around -20C here now, so everything smokes like the devil.

I will certainly be on the lookout though, regardless.

-Rob
[email protected]

 

[LabradorBoy]

Sounds like a blown head gasket. Excessive white smoke out the exhaust would be an indicator as would bubbling coolant in the radiator or overflow bottle.

Oh, BTW, the overflow was empty, I guess she sucked it dry.

My rad and overflow resi took a full gallon of coolant when I investigated yesterday.

-Rob

 

[tacoman13]

The excessive smoke part is hard to diagnose, it's around -20C here now, so everything smokes like the devil.

I will certainly be on the lookout though, regardless.

-Rob
[email protected]

have someone else start your truck and then smell the smoke coming out of the tailpipe. if you are burning your antifreeze the white smoke will have a sweet smell to it.

 

[LabradorBoy]

Will do. Hope I don't pass out...LOL

 

[scottnmos]

Oh, BTW, the overflow was empty, I guess she sucked it dry.

My rad and overflow resi took a full gallon of coolant when I investigated yesterday.

-Rob

Do an oil change. If your oil looks like a milkshake then you have a head gasket problem. If it looks normal, then start looking over the engine for leaks. Replace any suspect hoses and check the seal around the water pump (maybe there was something wrong with the gasket). Hoppe this helps. :xbeer1:

 

[mrbigbri]

Oh Boy. I remember what was wrong with mine when I had that problem....

Pull a spark plug and see if it's covered in a watery-oily mess.

Brian

 

[jjrambo]

For traces of coolant?

Yes do an oil change and let the oil sit in a clear bottle or something like that and let it stand for a couple hours. the water or coolant will settle to the bottom of the bottle(s). If you get coolant in there then you've got a problem.

 

[BigBadBob0]

I just finished a complete top-end rebuild of my 3.4l. I didn't have a real reason for doing it other than... ok I have zero reasons. But I did it. When I pulled the drivers side head, sure enough, there was a little bit of coolant where there shouldn't have been. Mine's a 99 with 108k.

 

[LabradorBoy]

FAWK! Exhaust smells sweet. Looks like I'll be in the garage for a while again during Christmas.

 

[jjrambo]

That really blows dude, litteraly and figuratively. if it's the head gasket it's really not that hard to do as long as you can find someone that will let you use there garage seeing as you said it's cold and all.

hope it works out for you man.

EDIT: yeaaaaa!!!!!!! i'm a "member" now this was my 25th post

 

[LabradorBoy]

Ya, that's the plan... Jim and I will be wrenching.

 

[LabradorBoy]

I just finished a complete top-end rebuild of my 3.4l. I didn't have a real reason for doing it other than... ok I have zero reasons. But I did it. When I pulled the drivers side head, sure enough, there was a little bit of coolant where there shouldn't have been. Mine's a 99 with 108k.

Thanks for the mileage and year note. With those figures in mind, mine could certainly be leaking badly.

 

[tacoman13]

FAWK! Exhaust smells sweet. Looks like I'll be in the garage for a while again during Christmas.

sounds like you are burning your anti-freeze then...

 

[Nanotruck]

FAWK! Exhaust smells sweet. Looks like I'll be in the garage for a while again during Christmas.

For a few bucks you can have the cooling system pressure tested and also have them test for hydrocarbons in the coolant. I had that done at a radiator shop once.

 

[LabradorBoy]

For a few bucks you can have the cooling system pressure tested and also have them test for hydrocarbons in the coolant. I had that done at a radiator shop once.

Ya, I wish. In the location I am right now, all we have are Mom & Pop shops with hand tools

I'm on my own for this one, but my father-in-law is an excellent mech, so I'll be alright.

-Rob