Coolant problem

[92-XLT-Exploder]

Hello

I have a 92 XLT, with the 4.0 V6. Everytime I drive it, the truck drinks a lot of coolant. And not just a cup or two, I basically have to refill the radiator every week or so. Also it seems that the heater is not working, but I assume that this is because there is not enough coolant. Sometimes when I drive I can hear a sound like running water coming from inside the console on the passenger side.
Any idea what could be the problem ?

I am mechanically challenged and the most I have done on the car is change the oil myself (and I had to get really pshyched up the 1st time )

Any help would be greatly appreciated !

 

[jimbo74]

sounds like your heater core maybe bad.....

 

[MrShorty]

Any coolant puddles on the ground?

 

[92-XLT-Exploder]

Nope no coolant puddles on the ground, I checked out that "tray" under the heater core and it was dry and dusty, doesn't look like any coolant went that way

 

[MrShorty]

What color is the exhaust? White cloud, even when the engine is warmed up? What does the oil look like? Nice brown or milky colored? Any goopy snot on the inside of the oil fill tube? I guess I'm thinking that, if the coolant is not leaking out of the engine, it has to be leaking into the engine and going out the exhaust. And the quatities you're losing make me think that you might have a bad head gasket or cracked heads.
Another place where the early OHV's lost coolant into the engine was through the lower intake manifold. The bolts come loose and allow the coolant to leak into the intake area. Sometimes this can be fixed by tightening the bolts. Other times a new intake manifold gasket is in order.

 

[92-XLT-Exploder]

I checked the oil today and it has the regular oil color, although it looked like there was small rust particles in it.
The exhaust seem to be normal, I didn't notice any whitish color.
Is there a way to get the heads tested ?

 

[checkedout]

Have the system flushed. My 96 was doing the same thing until I had it cleaned out. It's been working great and I haven't added a drop in two months!

 

[Derek]

goto this website this guy gives 2 reasons why coolant is leaking and its a great site for any other do it yourself maintanence. Dead Link Removed

 

[Swee294349]

could the water pump be bad if coolant is leaking through the engine?

 

[MONMIX]

I will second the heater core.
Can you smell antifreeze inside the truck ?

 

[Toy_to_Force]

This don't sound like no heater core. Two gallons or more of fluid in a week! I wouldn't drive it another foot unless it was to the nearest shop. I would however agree with the "intake bolts loose and leaking into the intake". That would explain the normal oil, but either way you would have white smoke pouring out the exhaust.
The only other thing I can think of is the water pump shaft leaking only when the engine is running. That would explain the "no puddle on your driveway". Good luck man.