Disappearing coolant
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
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From: Millersburg, OH
Disappearing coolant
I've been slowing missing coolant I can't explain. It seems to have picked up lately. I lost what I think is about a quart in 1K miles. I don't have any external leaks I can detected. My oil level is the same. I have not vented coolant. I still have my EGR cooler. Can it be leaking? I thought this would cause overheating and venting if so. My ECT is always good. My ECT/EOT is ok but can creep up to 12-13 degrees on the freeway at 75mph. Any idea where is my coolant going?
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Ohio
Oh Mikey........
Can you put pressure on the system and see how fast it leaks off? I would start looking on Top of the engine at cooler lines and see if it is puddling up there. My 7.3L had a fitting that leaked when Cold but would seal up when Hot. Don't panic...........yet 
Can you put pressure on the system and see how fast it leaks off? I would start looking on Top of the engine at cooler lines and see if it is puddling up there. My 7.3L had a fitting that leaked when Cold but would seal up when Hot. Don't panic...........yet
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Nampa, Idaho
Inspect, inspect! How old is your degas bottle? What is the shape of the “Y” connector under it? Is there any wetness on the firewall? Any coolant in the valley? I think people jump quickly to head gasket issues when there are so many other possibilities. Mine leaked quietly for a long while before I found it was a bunch of tiny cracks in the overflow bottle. I hope yours is as benign and not deeper.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,673
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From: Houston, Texas
Oh Mikey........ Can you put pressure on the system and see how fast it leaks off? I would start looking on Top of the engine at cooler lines and see if it is puddling up there. My 7.3L had a fitting that leaked when Cold but would seal up when Hot. Don't panic...........yet
Can you put pressure on the system and see how fast it leaks off? I would start looking on Top of the engine at cooler lines and see if it is puddling up there. My 7.3L had a fitting that leaked when Cold but would seal up when Hot. Don't panic...........yet
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
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From: Millersburg, OH
That's the thing. I can't see a speck of coolant anywhere. None in the valley, nothing leaking when the engine is cold, hot running or not. It hasn't puked coolant either so that's why I am a bit puzzled.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Linden, Ca.
Are you having any abnormal amounts of white exhaust smoke when you first start her after sitting for some time, like over night? That would be a good sign of an EGR cooler failing. Which is common. Mine did the same thing. When the EGR cooler starts to leak, it is usually a gradual thing. You might dismiss the white smoke on your first start of the day on it being a cold morning and not give it much thought. But in a few weeks or months, your exhaust will be laying down a cloud of white smoke that would make a WW2 Navy cruiser proud. B.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 17
From: Millersburg, OH
Are you having any abnormal amounts of white exhaust smoke when you first start her after sitting for some time, like over night? That would be a good sign of an EGR cooler failing. Which is common. Mine did the same thing. When the EGR cooler starts to leak, it is usually a gradual thing. You might dismiss the white smoke on your first start of the day on it being a cold morning and not give it much thought. But in a few weeks or months, your exhaust will be laying down a cloud of white smoke that would make a WW2 Navy cruiser proud. B.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,673
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From: Houston, Texas
Don't really see a reason to replace all that just because the EGR cooler is bad, unless the head gaskets have failed. Maybe replace the oil cooler too, and coolant, but if your gaskets are good, the rest is pretty basic maintenance on these engines.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 972
Likes: 224
From: Linden, Ca.
Well, it is prolly the EGR cooler, but can't say 100%. You could have a shop do a compression and leak down test on the health of the engine before you pull the top end. Could save you a bunch of dough. How many miles on your rig? B,
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Millersburg, OH
I'm at 107,000 miles currently. I'm not worried about the bottom end but I guess it can't hurt to have them check before doing any major work if I move forward. I plan on pulling the EGR value Friday if I get the seals in time and checking it. I cleaned it about 16K miles ago so if it's still spotless or gooey then I would think the EGR cooler is leaking.
