98 rodeo coolant leaking

[duke36]

I have a 98 isuzu rodeo 3.2 liter that I cannot figure out where I have coolant loss. I have replaced the thermostat, radiator cap, the two o-rings underneath the manifold, flushed the radiator, water pump and still losing coolant. Oh yeah, and the fan clutch. There are no external leaks that I can now see and there is no coolant in oil. The passenger side floor is not wet and I cant smell coolant inside the car so does that mean I can rule out the heater core? Can anyone please please help me cause im tired of buying coolant every other week. Thanks

[VinceH]

Heater Core?

[amigo-2k]

maybe the Rad is plugged and is pushing it out the overflow?

have you tried a new rad cap yet?

[Ramblin Fever]

Your truck's getting up there on age, just like mine. I've had to replace tons of little coolant hoses in the last 2yrs due to rotting out, so take a GOOD look at your heater core hoses, oil cooler hose, cylinder head to cylinder head hose, there are a ton of little hoses on this engine that can leak coolant.

Also, if your radiator is original, along with your cap, these could be culprits too.

[Gizmo42]

Since its a '98, also pull the coil packs on top of the plugs and see if there is any coolant in the plug wells.

[duke36]

hello and thanks for your reply. Now if there is coolant in the coil packs would that mean a blown head gasket and shouldnt I see the milky oil at oil changes? Thanks

[Ramblin Fever]

No, you won't always see milky oil at oil changes.

Reason for checking your spark plug tubes is the '98 model years are known for cylinder cracking issues due to a defect in the block design of the 98-99 model years.

[Gizmo42]

Its actually the heads that crack, not the block. Either way is expensive news but heads are cheaper then a block at least. Makes me nervous since mine was actually built in '98, beginning of '99 model year.

[duke36]

So is there anyway I would know for sure that the problem is the heads besides coolant in the coil packs?

[duke36]

Thinking about using some of that liquid sealer...would anyone advise me to doing this and if so what kind should I use?

[amigo-2k]

http://www.barsproducts.com/1111.htm

[pharm_rodeo]

If you plan on keeping the truck then I would find the leak. You never know what will happen with the quick fix sealer. You can rent a cooling system pressure tester from Autozone to try and find the leak. Get a bright light and get under the truck. If you're not losing it through the exhaust or cracked head you might be losing through the overflow.

[FL 3.2L]

Have you crawled under the truck to inspect for any coolant? If you can't find a leak, it has to be going out the tailpipe.

[Gizmo42]

If you find any coolant in the plug wells, check out THIS POST starting on page 2. If it turns out to be a cracked head you can PM Jerry (JLEMOND), he has new and used heads for sale. Always much better prices then going through other channels and he's a great guy.

I agree that if you dont see a leak its going out the tail pipe. Most likely a blown head gasket or bad head in that case.

[duke36]

Didnt find any fluid in the coil packs... so does that mean no cracked head hopefully? Gonna get under the truck today and do a complete check for leak. Oh failed to mentioned that had a pressure test done on the system and it was holding pressure.