Coolant Leak... can't find cause
bwrobo
09-10-2010, 12:32 PM
Just had a tremendous past couple of days and it's got me worrying over the worst possible fixes.
Early this week I noticed the temperature guage on my 97 Blazer was jumping up and down, and while driving might quickly jump to the red, then after coming off the gas, the temperature would return to normal.
A couple days ago the temperature wouldn't go to the red, but was dancing around between 180-230 degrees when I would be on the gas. After this I checked the coolant, and noticed it was a little full and topped it off. For the rest of that day the temperature was still dancing.
Yesterday, the coolant seemed to be working as the temperature returned to normal (170 or so). Late in the night I had stopped and killed the engine and there was smoke and the smell of coolant coming from directly below the AC Condenser (it may have been below the reservior, it was windy out and hard to see at night). There was also a slow drip of coolant on the ground behind the passenger front tire. The drip stopped after 5 minutes or so and the engine cooled.
This morning I put some water in the system just to be safe, and then noticed that a small amount of smoke was coming from the rear of the engine compartment, and like the previous issue, stopped after 5 minutes when the engine cooled.
Any help would be tremendous to find out where I can start to fix this.
Thank you.
Early this week I noticed the temperature guage on my 97 Blazer was jumping up and down, and while driving might quickly jump to the red, then after coming off the gas, the temperature would return to normal.
A couple days ago the temperature wouldn't go to the red, but was dancing around between 180-230 degrees when I would be on the gas. After this I checked the coolant, and noticed it was a little full and topped it off. For the rest of that day the temperature was still dancing.
Yesterday, the coolant seemed to be working as the temperature returned to normal (170 or so). Late in the night I had stopped and killed the engine and there was smoke and the smell of coolant coming from directly below the AC Condenser (it may have been below the reservior, it was windy out and hard to see at night). There was also a slow drip of coolant on the ground behind the passenger front tire. The drip stopped after 5 minutes or so and the engine cooled.
This morning I put some water in the system just to be safe, and then noticed that a small amount of smoke was coming from the rear of the engine compartment, and like the previous issue, stopped after 5 minutes when the engine cooled.
Any help would be tremendous to find out where I can start to fix this.
Thank you.
danielsatur
09-10-2010, 02:20 PM
1997, you could be looking at a new water pump, or a rubber coolant hose.
The smoke could be just a bad EGR Gasket, if this is true, the engine would run lean, hot, thus cause boil over.
The smoke could be just a bad EGR Gasket, if this is true, the engine would run lean, hot, thus cause boil over.
bwrobo
09-10-2010, 02:50 PM
Thanks for the help..
I wasn't running the AC... I have not noticed any change in performance from the engine. Acelleration and mileage seem to be consistent with everyday driving, and excluding the smell from the coolant, everything else seems to be running normal.
As an update, I had to run out real quick and the check engine light jsut came on... I will get the code checked after work.
I wasn't running the AC... I have not noticed any change in performance from the engine. Acelleration and mileage seem to be consistent with everyday driving, and excluding the smell from the coolant, everything else seems to be running normal.
As an update, I had to run out real quick and the check engine light jsut came on... I will get the code checked after work.
inafogg
09-10-2010, 05:40 PM
i'd think you have a leak hose ect it may have dripped on something we'll
see what the code is
see what the code is
old_master
09-11-2010, 07:41 AM
On the 4.3L engine, leaking lower intake manifold gaskets are very common. A cooling system pressure test will help locate the leak.
Rick Norwood
09-15-2010, 10:12 PM
Read this thread: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=729213&highlight=basic+cooling+system+advice
Go to Autozone and borrow the Radiator pressure tester for free (it is a small hand held tire pump with a radiator cap on it). With your engine shut off and cool, remove the radiator cap and attach the pump and pump it up to the pressure rating of your rad cap. Then start looking for the leaks.
Go to Autozone and borrow the Radiator pressure tester for free (it is a small hand held tire pump with a radiator cap on it). With your engine shut off and cool, remove the radiator cap and attach the pump and pump it up to the pressure rating of your rad cap. Then start looking for the leaks.
avlind
09-20-2010, 12:02 AM
Hi,
I had the same problem and I was going nuts trying to find the leak (especially since I just put in a new radiator for a rusted out spot and new hoses). It turned out that it was my water pump that was also leaking. There was small pin hold in the oddest location.
I ended up replacing the water pump and the clutch for the fan because it is advisable to do them at the same time.
If you are a DIY'er it should take less than 1/2 the afternoon at a relaxed pace.
Good luck,
Aileen
I had the same problem and I was going nuts trying to find the leak (especially since I just put in a new radiator for a rusted out spot and new hoses). It turned out that it was my water pump that was also leaking. There was small pin hold in the oddest location.
I ended up replacing the water pump and the clutch for the fan because it is advisable to do them at the same time.
If you are a DIY'er it should take less than 1/2 the afternoon at a relaxed pace.
Good luck,
Aileen
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