1995 chevrolet g20 chevy van coolant burn/leak
#1
07-13-14, 12:02 AM
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1995 chevrolet g20 chevy van coolant burn/leak
Hello yall. I have a 1995 chevrolet g20 chevy van 5.7L v8, injected. I have recently over heated the engine up to 200° and noticed I was completely out of.coolant. so I went ahead and filled both th radiator and the overflow tank with coolant and now (2 days later. My radiator again is completely out of coolant. I cannt see any coolant in the radiator at all. Any suggestions on what needs to be fixed or replaced
Thanks yall in advance.
Sharkboy
Thanks yall in advance.
Sharkboy
#2
07-13-14, 04:13 AM
Welcome to the forums!
200 degrees isn't overheated. If you can't find any evidence of leaks, I'd check both the oil and the exhaust. White smoke out the tailpipe indicates the coolant is being burned, generally a failed head gasket.
200 degrees isn't overheated. If you can't find any evidence of leaks, I'd check both the oil and the exhaust. White smoke out the tailpipe indicates the coolant is being burned, generally a failed head gasket.
#3
07-13-14, 09:49 AM
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The only time I get white smoke is if the temp outside is like 40-50 degrees. Its easy to notice bc I have a smoke stack so I dont see it being white except for chilled temps outside
#4
07-13-14, 11:00 PM
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Okay I did an oil change today but I didnt have the time to go get coolant. Can I fill it with water for the time being? I do not make any long hauls so the temp barely gets to 190
#5
07-13-14, 11:19 PM
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Water is only a temporary repair. Antifreeze does more than keep the radiator from freezing. It has additives that keeps the rust in check and lubricates the water pump.
You've got a leak you need to find. Take a bright flashlight and crawl under the engine area and scope it out.
All the usual warnings apply..... like make sure vehicle is in park with the brakes on and the wheels are chocked.
You've got a leak you need to find. Take a bright flashlight and crawl under the engine area and scope it out.
All the usual warnings apply..... like make sure vehicle is in park with the brakes on and the wheels are chocked.
#6
07-14-14, 03:40 AM
Anti-freeze has a sweet odor so sometimes you can sniff out the area where the leak is. If you smell it in the cab, the heater core is a likely culprit. As PJ stated, water is ok in place of coolant but besides no freezing protection, there are no anti corrosion properties and water doesn't cool as well as anti-freeze. Generally there is no short harm from running water alone in the system.
#7
07-14-14, 09:16 AM
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I checked with a bright flashlight and no leak. So it is the head gasket isnt it... but the thing is the exaust does not smell sweet or have a white color.
Last edited by XxShArKbOyYyxX; 07-14-14 at 09:17 AM. Reason: missed something
#8
07-14-14, 09:25 AM
I think I'd keep driving it [keeping it filled with water] sooner or later it will become evident where the coolant is going. A compression check might be helpful.
#9
07-14-14, 11:05 PM
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Hey all I took it to a shop today and they pointed out something I missed! O.o there was a lot of black residue arround the intake manifold. I missed it bc I wasnt able to get to it with a rag and plus the block of my engine is heat painted a dark grey. Could this black residue be an intake gasket leak?
#10
07-15-14, 04:09 AM
A head gasket can break in either direction [internally or externally] so it's possible that's where the coolant is going although I've never had one leak there. What did the mechanic say?
#11
07-15-14, 07:21 AM
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Some service departments can check for combustion gasses in the coolant which would help diagnose a blown head gasket!
