1998 Chevrolet K1500 Logo
Posted on Mar 15, 2009
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2001 Chevy Tahoe that leaks antifreeze but is not running hot. I can smell the antifreeze when i drive for a long time but never see it on the ground. i've looked on top and the bottom of the engine and can ot find a trace.... please help!!!!!

  • Anonymous May 11, 2010

    Have you checked the rugs inside the cab to make sure it's not the heater core?
    A small amount of seepage isn't always going to show up as a leak, but may be evaporating on a hot pipe etc as well. check for white residue in such areas. Also check for leaks with the engine off, and cap off the radiator. Some water pump leaks actually disappear when system is under pressure. Obviously, you have checked all hose connections for seepage, right? If you still come up empty, shops can do a dye test (blacklight test) and usually find the leak.

  • Fahr Quad May 11, 2010

    Buy, rent, or borrow a radiator pressure tester. Put the gauge and pump assembly on the radiator filler neck (where the radiator cap was) and pump up the system. Normal operating pressure for a cooling system is between 12 and 16 pounds. You should be able to safely pump it up to about 25 pounds for testing. The system should hold the pressure without any drop if you have a good tight seal. If the pressure drops and you still don't see any leaks, check the heater core. If there is no pressure drop, test your radiator cap. When I had the same problem on my PT Cruiser it turned out that the 16 pound cap wouldn't keep more than about 6 pounds. I replaced the cap and the mystery leak was gone.

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Check oil and make sure you do not have coolant mixing in with the oil if so then it is your intake gasket mine has done that twice

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It's hard to do, but I bet if you look at the very back of the engine below the distributer you will find a small amount of coolant. It could also show up on the front of the engine just below the thermostat housing. If so, you will need to replace the intake manifold gaskets.

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The intake is a common problem in the 5.7 V-tech. you can pick some up real cheap because people think head gaskets are blown. When in fact it is one of the best GM motors yet.

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  • Posted on Mar 28, 2009
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Look on the passenger side floor under the carpet.You may have a leaky heater core.Good luck,
ChevRev

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