Guys I need some advice...BAD...!

[wml53]

I've got a 92 xlt 4 dr 2 wl drive with 180K miles...
I've had it for 2 years and have put a tranny in ..lately I've put rotors,discs,new radiator,new tires and need both mufflers need replacing...but anyway my problem is I got home today and the antifreeze was flowing out the bottom of the truck,it wasn't running hot!...so I carried it to Firestone(which might not have been the rite move)and they ran a pressure test on it and said they could not find where it was leaking.They said the water pump and hoses are OK that it might be the intake...It seems to only leak after I turn it off......What the hell is wrong with it and how much am I looking at???
Thanks All..... I don't know if I should sell it or keep it ,it's a great truck!

 

[mrboyle]

Did they test the radiator cap? It isn't uncommon for a system, that seems to run at normal tempatures, boil over once shut off. This is due to the rise in pressure in the cooling system as the stadic coolant absorbs heat from the engine. The rise in pressure forces the weak cap to vent. This causes the system to puke into the overflow tank and/or onto the ground. Try replacing the cap and see if this helps.

 

[sparkyputerguy]

Hmmm... I'm not an expert by any means, but is it possible that the system was overfilled and you're just seeing leakage from the recovery tank?

Perhaps there's a small leak in that, or the recovery hose?

 

[wml53]

coolant leak

I wish that were the case it's coming from the block somewhere.
Will a leaking gasket at the intake cause it to leak antifreeze pretty bad?How much does it cost to have new intake gaskets put on ??If that's the problem??
Thanks!!

 

[LS431o28]

the only thing close the the block that can thnk of is the thermostat. when the engine stops the fluid will heat back up and the thermostat will open if it is openng when you shut it off and you have a leak near the thermostat that might be why you see the fluid when you stop the X. Just an idea

 

[procyon]

I have heard of 4.0L OHVs leaking coolant between the intake manifold and the head.

 

[PLRBEAR]

I've got a plan. Cover your alternator & battery, then hose the engine down with low pressure water to clean it up. Let it dry, then start the engine. Take note of where the leak is. Alternatively, a cheap fix would be like the Prestone Stop Leak. Got a friend with an 89 Civic who used that. Stopped the leak and he's had no problems in more than 2yrs. I don't like using shortcuts like that, but it IS the cheapest solution. If y

 

[jemail]

If the cooling system tested good at holding pressure, then it sounds like the radiator cap ( as mentioned earlier by mrboyle ).
If you have an OHM meter, you could check the resistance of your "Coolant Temp Sensor" at cold and again at operating temp. This sensor can be found on the intake manifold, near the water outlet housing and has 2 wires. At cold, with the outside air temp at 80 degrees F, you should get a reading between 25K and 35K from the sensor. At normal operating temp, make sure you turn off your engine before you take this reading, it should read between 2K and 3.8K from the sensor. If it is way off, then your sensor could be bad and not telling the computer that the engine is overheating.
Mine went bad at 145,000 miles and was telling the computer that the engine was hotter than it actually was. So it would shut the engine off when the guage reached the "r". Needless to say, I was freaking the first time this happened out on a trail in the middle of the valley.

 

[wml53]

Thanks Guys

Thanks guys for the help...It was the lower intake manifold gasket.....475.00 worth
But that's with new hoses too so everything is well....
Thanks again guys this site is great!!
Wallace