Coolant Leak - Many miles from home!
I always hate to see people throw parts at a problem without full diagnosis. You can get a loaner cooling system pressure test kit from an auto parts store. Connect it to the cooling system by replacing the coolant reservoir cap with the correct adapter from the kit. Pump the system pressure up to 20 lb and look for leaks. The leak should be evident within the first several minutes. If no leak is evident but the pressure drops check the back of each head where it mates with the block. That's where external head gasket leaks occur most frequently.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the throttle body heater gasket as a possible source of the leak. They fail commonly. You may be able to see coolant or coolant residue under the throttle body heater. If so, replace the TBH gasket or remove the hoses from it and block them off by inserting an appropriate diameter short bolt into each hose, securing them with small hose clamps. It the TBH gasket was leaking, correct that problem and drive the truck again for a while to see if addressing that corrected the problem or if there is another leak.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the throttle body heater gasket as a possible source of the leak. They fail commonly. You may be able to see coolant or coolant residue under the throttle body heater. If so, replace the TBH gasket or remove the hoses from it and block them off by inserting an appropriate diameter short bolt into each hose, securing them with small hose clamps. It the TBH gasket was leaking, correct that problem and drive the truck again for a while to see if addressing that corrected the problem or if there is another leak.
Either way, I've been swamped with *life stuff* recently so when I bring the truck back to my dad's house we'll rip into it. Might as well replace hoses, new thermostat, etc etc while we're at it.
Ugh, reminds me that I have to take it in for a smoke test somewhere as well. Getting P0304 & P1170 codes every 200ish miles. Unrelated to this thread, I know...
Whenever I mention the crappy TBH plate it seems people defend it to the death, so I didn’t bring it up. Only thing designed worse than the TBH plate would be the super delicate air box lid latches, or Funky glove box light that only works when the headlights are on lol.
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