Coolant Usage

[MudRebel350]

I usually have to fill up my coolant every now and then, I'd say every month or so. Is this normal? Its not extremely low but its enough that I will notice a slight rise in temperature.

JD
88 Gmc Jimmy

 

[titanic]

Do you have a overflow tank and is it hookedup? I had a slow leak in my overflow tank so when the fluid ran over to it-it was lost.

 

[MudRebel350]

I have an overflow tank and its hooked up and theres no spots in the driveway from that area. Sometime ill put a little coolant or water in the overflow and it will be gone real quick.

JD
88 Gmc Jimmy

 

[titanic]

You have to have a leak somewhere-pour some water in the overflow tank when the engine is cold and come back after a while and see if it's still there-if it is, check water pump weep hole after engine gets hot-it might be only leaking when you're going down the road.

 

[DMK]

Could also be pin holes in the radiator. Look for greenish color spot this indicates a leak. When the truck get hot most of it will evaporate. My 89 did this for a while till the bottom of the radiator finally roted out. But before that was leaking from water pump.

 

[sosamantx]

You could also see if you can rent a pressure tester, from your local auto parts store. I know that we rent them at the Autozone that I work at. It is just a pump with a cap that replaces your radiator cap, and you pump up the pressure, and try to look for the leak. Good luck. - Steve

Steve Sosa a.k.a. "sosaman"
http://sosaman.home.texas.net/carpics.html

 

[Emmettology 101]

One last thing is does your K5 blow any white smoke when you drive it? You may have an internal leak that is small.

Mike
1982 GMC Jimmy - <font color=green>Emmett</font color=green>
http://emmett.coloradok5.com

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Mine puffs a cloud or two of white smoke first thing in the AM when I start it. I have noticed I am losing a little coolant too. Are these related?

 

[Emmettology 101]

Could be you have a minor head gasket or intake leak that is letting coolant into your cylinders.

Mike
1982 GMC Jimmy - <font color=green>Emmett</font color=green>
http://emmett.coloradok5.com

 

[NYC K5]

be careful i dont know if the blazer trany cooler is connected to the radiator but my friend just had a similar problem with his dodge. turned out coolant leaked into the trany fluid and did a good amout of damage. i have a manual we dont have that problem.

 

[Blazer79]

Check under the passenger side carpet after turning the heating on for a while. This will open the heater core for water circulation. If it's wet, your heater core may need to be changed.

<font color=blue>//////
http://blazer79.coloradok5.com</font color=blue>

 

[MudRebel350]

My truck only blows white smoke in the morning when its cold other than that it will never blow white smoke.

JD
88 Gmc Jimmy