Coolant level low

[arrowwood44]

i just recently bought a 1994 idi turbo diesel 4by4 i have had it for a month and i checked the coolant every few days and i checked it today and have noticed that the coolant in the bottle beside the radiator has dropped about 3 and a half inches from full to about 1 1/2 inch above the low level. I am really worried, does anyone have an idea as to what it could be.

thanks matt

 

[The Warden]

It could be anything, from a loose hose clamp to a leaking thermostat gasket to a pinhole in the radiator to an oil cooler problem to a blown head gasket.

My suggestion would be to get a cooling system pressure tester...you can rent one at AutoZone. Pump up the system to 15 PSI or so, and see how long it takes to drop pressure, then look around to see if you have any leaks. I was losing coolant steadily for a couple of months before I took the time to check...30 seconds with a flathead screwdriver later, the engine side hose clamp on the lower radiator hose was tightened and I wasn't loosing any coolant anymore

 

[arrowwood44]

thanks for the info i will def give it a try tomorrow! thanks again

 

[riotwarrior]

Hi Matt,

Welcome to OB.

How many miles on the truck...or in your case kilometers? Is this a factory turbo truck?

That single mark on the side of the coolant tank is the full when cold mark, that leaves room for expansion if the tank gets filled if rad gets to hot and pukes, then when cooling it will siphon the coolant back into the rad. I would not suggest filling past that mark when cold or you could be puking coolant out all over if the truck gets too warm.

Are you noticing any white smoke or sweet smelling smoke from the tail pipe?

Does the heater work?

How about the firewall in the cabin just behind the glove compartment door at floor level, is it wet? Are you noticing steam in the cab when heat/defrost is on warm/hot?

I'd suggest checking engine oil level and see if that's increasing. If it is it could be a head gasket leak.

Have you made recent changes to the truck?

When you park do you notice any wet spots under the truck? Try getting some large cardboard and parking over it for a few hours and see if you notice any leaks.

Any difficulty starting or does it suddenly stop turning over when trying to start after being parked for a long time?

READ THE FAQ's especially about cavitation or block worm...

Al

 

[arrowwood44]

Hey guys so I pressure tested the system and there was no leaks at all. I drove the truck for about thirty minutes and when I turned it off and looked into the coolant resovpiur bottle and saw one bubble every five seconds. I am really worried now does that def mean head gasket ?

 

[oregon96psd]

1994 idi turbo diesel

thanks matt

probably a headgasket
seriously tho the bubbles could either be from combustion gas or air displacing leaking coolant. get some gas detector to tell if its got combustion gas coming into the coolant, that way you know for sure.