2000 5.3 oil pressure warning

[dbstrass]

Now I am confused. There was coolant in reservoir on thursday when I checked it. Today it is low, very low. At -14 I dont think dex would freeze would it ? If it did then I probably do have coolant in the oil. Either the head gasket blew on startup that morning, or the block cracked. Checking oil in the morning. I think that after all this on this 211,000 mile motor the old girl might be done. Too many issues for an engine rebuild.

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by dbstrass

Now I am confused. There was coolant in reservoir on thursday when I checked it. Today it is low, very low. At -14 I dont think dex would freeze would it ? If it did then I probably do have coolant in the oil. Either the head gasket blew on startup that morning, or the block cracked. Checking oil in the morning. I think that after all this on this 211,000 mile motor the old girl might be done. Too many issues for an engine rebuild.

Where you live unless you have a heated garage even a head gasket is out of your capability until spring. On your anti freeze it depends on the concentration.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by dbstrass

Now I am confused. There was coolant in reservoir on thursday when I checked it. Today it is low, very low. At -14 I dont think dex would freeze would it ? If it did then I probably do have coolant in the oil. Either the head gasket blew on startup that morning, or the block cracked. Checking oil in the morning. I think that after all this on this 211,000 mile motor the old girl might be done. Too many issues for an engine rebuild.

just some things to review about your engine. lets say you changed your coolant . you flushed out the engine drained the radiator[removed lower hose ] then installed 50/50 dexcool. if that was done then the block will freeze. reason is 2 gallons of water will be trapped in the engine as it cannot be drained . well it can be drained possibly if you can remove the threaded 7/8 allen hex lock tighted into the block at the rear on each side of the engine.

[dbstrass]

That could be a possibility. I installed a new water pump summer before last. I didn't flush the system but remember that I was putting coolant in so often that I used water a couple of times to keep it full. After the new pump I filled her up with 50/50 but the diluted mixture was still in there, and it never got this cold last winter. I haven't been able to drain the oil yet but checking the level is normal but it smells like fuel. Just changed it this fall.

[dbstrass]

I just want to add to this thread thanks for all the replies ! I have had this suburban for about 10 years now and have had very few problems with it. Changed both hub assemblies on front, fuel pump, 4 rotors,water pump and a recent brake line. She has been a tough truck !!!!

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by dbstrass

That could be a possibility. I installed a new water pump summer before last. I didn't flush the system but remember that I was putting coolant in so often that I used water a couple of times to keep it full. After the new pump I filled her up with 50/50 but the diluted mixture was still in there, and it never got this cold last winter. I haven't been able to drain the oil yet but checking the level is normal but it smells like fuel. Just changed it this fall.

if you had a leak and added 50/50 then just water then the block froze.

I measure the drain on my 2000 5.3L and the most I get out with the heater core blown out as well is 1.75 gallons.

since I cannot drain the block I can only go by the GM spec which is around 4 gallons or 16/17 qts..

50/50 freezes at about 30 below zero F . if it was 10 below zero F, this is why I believe it froze since a little over 2 gallons is in the block trapped.
At every coolant change the heater hoses are removed at the block and they are flushed out and blown out.
so on my coolant fill I use 1.25 gallons Dexcool and then .50 gallons of distilled water. I want 65% dexcool not for freeze but for corrosion issues with these engines.

many get tricked out with this on vehicles that got flushed and then added 50/50 and not measuring what they drained out to compare with the manufacturer spec on a total capacity.

on the fill you run engine with coolant cap off until at operating temp then rev engine to 2KRPM for a few times to purge out the air bubbles.

removal of the oil drain plug on a cold engine just for a second will reveal any coolant/water as the oil floats and the water will be at the bottom of the oil pan ..thats when it has settled out after sitting several hours.

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by j cAT

if you had a leak and added 50/50 then just water then the block froze.

I measure the drain on my 2000 5.3L and the most I get out with the heater core blown out as well is 1.75 gallons.

since I cannot drain the block I can only go by the GM spec which is around 4 gallons or 16/17 qts..

I would suggest you purchase something like ATD 1106
http://www.amazon.com/
Around $9.95 works on Dex Cool plus shipping. Remember the rubber only lasts 1 or two years. Where you live its well worth the price.