My '94 Extended cab, 5.7L, 216k, has recently started to lose coolant. I sometimes see liquid dripping off the frame underneath the A/C compressor. The truck also seems to be starting harder when warm. Any place I should be looking to verify as intake gasket? Any estimate on what a garage mechanic would charge to replace?

Most likely it is the rear intake gasket that is leaking , my 96 did the same thing. The liquid you see dripping off the frame near the A/C compressor is most likely just condensation off the canistor for the A/C or from the condensor it self, unless you were not using the A/C. Stick your finger in this liquid and smell it , you should be able to tell if it is coolant or just water. My 96 was loosing coolant but was leaving no puddles because it as leakng only when the truck was at operating temp and it would leak onto the hot block and evaporate. I had to take mine in to a garage to have all the upper and lower gaskets replaced and it cost me $400

Most likely it is the rear intake gasket that is leaking , my 96 did the same thing. The liquid you see dripping off the frame near the A/C compressor is most likely just condensation off the canistor for the A/C or from the condensor it self, unless you were not using the A/C. Stick your finger in this liquid and smell it , you should be able to tell if it is coolant or just water. My 96 was loosing coolant but was leaving no puddles because it as leakng only when the truck was at operating temp and it would leak onto the hot block and evaporate. I had to take mine in to a garage to have all the upper and lower gaskets replaced and it cost me $400


Kenny, You could save yourself hundreds of dollars if you do your own repairs. Unless your not mechanically literate, I wouldn't sugest doing your own repairs. But I'm willing to bet your not a mechanical flounder.

The 94 with the older style intake won't usually leak at the intake. I'd crawl all over it and try to pinpoint the leak. Hopefully it's something simple.

Kenny, You could save yourself hundreds of dollars if you do your own repairs. Unless your not mechanically literate, I wouldn't sugest doing your own repairs. But I'm willing to bet your not a mechanical flounder.


You are 100% right on the saving hundreds of dollars......IF i had a garage OR if this did not happen in the middle of winter. I know my way around an engine bay fairly well, have seen many engines/trannys/rearends swapped as well as assisted in said items being swapped. It just really sucks that these somewhat simple jobs happen when it is -25c, i dunno about you but i sure would not like to be playing in antifreeze at that temp :biggrin:

Damm -25, thats a real temperture? I thought it was just a science experment..lol J/K. I have no comprehension of what that would feel like. I live in Southern California and I freeze my ass off when it drops to 49 degrees here. 92 degree February's are common here.