Hi guys,

Quick question about a rear engine coolant leak.

I have a small coolant leak. It drips down on the front drive shaft, but I think it is coming from the rear of the engine. The vavle cover gaskets are new. So I'm thinking valley pan or heads. My question is this:

When I do a pressure test, how can you see behind the engine to tell if it is valley pan or heads?

Thanks!

 

what is the mileage on your truck?

 

How many miles on your truck? Have the head gaskets been done before? Odds are that you are looking at head gaskets unless it is coming from a heater hose on the passenger side.

 

Sounds like head gasket(s). Try using a mirror of sorts or feel around with your hand.

 

I have about 107k on the truck. The head gaskets were replaced at around 20k.

 

You have a head gasket leak at 20k? When you get it pressure tested they will look up from underneath or have a mirror or maybe even one of those little fiber optic cameras to look behind the engine and the back of the heads.

 

The head gaskets were replaced at 19k because of sticking valves, not because it was leaking. I got the truck with about 30k miles on it and I got the service records from the dealer.

I'm heading in for a pressure test in a few minutes. Will let you all know what we find! I just wanted to know what to look for when I take it in.

Thanks!

 

Pressure test was inconclusive. But, the mechanic spend a good 15 minutes watching the passenger side with a mirror and he thinks it's the head gasket. He saw a small drop come out behind the engine by the exhaust manifold. He quoted me $1500. He also said that when he gets the intake off, it may turn out to be the intake gasket instead.

Now I'm just pondering whether I want to tackle this myself or not...

 

$1500 is a good price. i would have him do the intake gasket with the head gasket. but if course you could do it yourself and save over a $1300. The gasket kit is @ Atlantic British for the heads ($150) and the intake.

 

I had the same problem with my 03... I did the work myself and took a couple days... I found the back 2 bolts finger tight that held lower intake on and that was my coolant leak... went ahead and replaced valley pan gasket along with new valve cover gaskets and minor other gaskets that came with the headset from Atlantic British...