External Coolant leak

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Nov 22, 2017 | 08:06 AM

92will

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External Coolant leak

After the truck had sit for 4 days at a campground, I noticed a large wet spot under the engine. Determined it to be coolant. I have drove the truck everyday since (about 2 weeks) and it has not left a puddle again, but is slowly losing coolant. The oil looks fine and the coolant looks fine. It is wet along the passenger side head gasket but it is wet above that area too. It looks like it is originating from the top allen head bolt fastening the rear lifting plate to the head. From that bolt is wetness going down.

The truck has been deleted but not studded. I have read that external coolant leaks are really rare to be the gaskets but this could also be a cracked head.

I have not found anything else leaking coolant. Once before, the heater control valve had been leaking but I have checked that and every other place I can get to. It looks as if it is originating from that lifting eye.

I suppose I need to have a cooling system pressure test done and maybe that would show where it is coming from. I would prefer to find somebody that works on these 6.0's and not some regular shop.

Thoughts?

Nov 22, 2017 | 09:44 AM

r2millers

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From: Southern Cal

Ouch, my first thought was your heater lines and connections. If where you think it's coming from, a pressure test would be my next step.

Nov 25, 2017 | 11:32 AM

92will

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I finally got a Schrader valve connected to my hose and gauge. I pumped 12 psi in with my bicycle pump and it was pouring out the front and top of the engine also the rear. It appears to be at the top of the water pump or the IPR EGR cooler delete that I installed 2 years ago. I am tickled pink that it does not appear to be the heads or gaskets. I dropped the pressure down to about 2 psi to slow it down so I could get a better idea exactly where it is coming from but I just cant see in that area good enough.

I have been letting it sit since Wednesday afternoon and it started leaking Friday I think. Apparently it somewhat seals itself up when it is hot, plus probably burns most of it up while hot. Then as the engine cools to ambient temp, the leak opens up and because of still holding some pressure in the cooling system, the leak starts. That's why I haven't noticed this until the truck sat for a few days at a campground, because I usually drive it everyday and it sits for most of 1 full day.

I don't feel like tackling this job (mostly because I don't have a garage now), so I need to find someone in the Clinton/Oak Ridge/Knoxville area that I can trust.

Nov 25, 2017 | 02:13 PM

mattdoc88

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My first thought was the oil cooler to EGR cooler coolant hose, but then I read you have a delete. I'd start looking there anyway in case the delete is leaking.

Nov 25, 2017 | 02:36 PM

92will

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The best look that I can get at it looks like the coolant is coming from in front of the oil cooler housing at the very front of the engine beneath the intake manifold. It was 2 years ago when I did the delete so I can't really remember the layout of the ipr delete and the intake. It very well could be leaking from there. I'm going to have a shop handle it this time. I'm just happy it doesn't appear to be the head or gaskets.

Nov 25, 2017 | 02:40 PM

mattdoc88

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In that area, there are the two places the delete touches coolant, at the oil cooler and the intake manifold. You also have the thick oring between the intake manifold and the front cover. Then also the front cover itself to the block.

Nov 25, 2017 | 02:51 PM

92will

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I don't believe it is coming from the delete at the oil cooler. It is right under the intake at the very front of the engine. It hopefully is not a big deal but I will soon find out. I appreciate the help. I will update when I find out something.