IDIBRONCO
IDIBRONCO
I don't think I've ever had one in my trucks.
7.3 idi coolant issues
- Thread starter James Case
- Start date
James Case
Registered User
I got the new radiator put in, put new overflow hose, new radiator cap, and resealed the thermostat housing. Help for an hour and started leaking around the back of thermostat housing. I know it’s not the housing this time because it’s only leaking when the truck is running. It looked like there was a freeze plug on the head behind the housing. Do you think it could be that leaking. I might just go ahead and redo the heat gasket. How tough is a job is that?
Its possible the freeze plug is leaking but its not very common. The head gasket is a pretty big job, and for most people its easier to pull the engine. Usually if a headgasket fails you have combustion gasses in the coolant, and your liquids mix but external leaks are usually just a small seep.
James Case
Registered User
Have y’all ever used that blue devil stuff
Big Daddy John
Full Access Member
I’ve used a blue devil product for a power steering leak on a God Forbidden Nissan! Worked good!!! But never tried their product on a coolant leak!
Don’t use it. I’ve rebuilt engines that have had it and everything was clogged with a blue cement.
robw
Full Access Member
Another possibility, have you tested the coolant? How old is it?
Never a bad time to flush the cooling system and recharge with fresh coolant and distilled water.
Never a bad time to flush the cooling system and recharge with fresh coolant and distilled water.
I'd double and triple check the thermostat housing before tearing into a head gasket replacement. I had the same thing happening a few weeks ago. It was leaking on the back side of the thermostat housing. It looked like a head gasket leak the way the coolant was running down the seam between the head and the block and dripping off the corner of the head gasket. And it only leaked when it was running.
I'd do a used oil analysis (with Blackstone or other oil lab) before I'd start a head gasket job. If you have a bad gasket you will see some coolant contamination on the oil analysis. Rarely, is there enough coolant contamination to make your oil grey or have coolant in the pan, but will be easy to find on UOA.
Certainly starting to sound like you have combustion gases getting into the cooling system.
Heath
Certainly starting to sound like you have combustion gases getting into the cooling system.
Heath
