Magic Antifreeze

[Xplorer82]

Ok, for awhile now my antifreeze has been doing a disappearing trick on me.

I have NO milky substance(s) in my Oil when i do oil changes/check dipstick. there is NO leaks under the truck. so where is it going????????????

i know that is not a TON of info to diagnose, but i am quite clueless right now. anyone that can point my in the right direction, please do so. if you need any other info let me know

thanks in advance.

 

[BrianDye]

Its probably dripping onto your exhaust, and burning, like mine did in my 95, it was the slightest leak ever, but it would drip on my exhaust and burn, leaving nothing on my driveway lol

 

[Xplorer82]

any cure for it dripping in the exhaust by chance?? seals, ect? i would like to get it taken care of if possible "if that is the problem that is" also anyway of checking that?

thanks BTW.

 

[BrianDye]

Eh, the only thing I can really say is when the engines warm and running, try to look all around over and see if you cant find where its leaking.

If its a 97, check the heater control valve, thats where it was leaking on my 95, just from dry rotting, it had a TINY crack. If you dont know what im talking about, i just happen to have a pic lol

mine was actually dripping onto the driveway, but then it started hitting the exhaust

 

[Lloyd10977]

I would check the heater control valve as idicated by BrianDye. I have had to replace mine 3 times because of an internal leak failure (no cracks) that caused coolant to drip from the metal lever on the bottom in the picture above. The leak only occurred when the engine was hot, and the cooling system was under pressure. The coolant leaked down on the hot manifold so never made it to the ground until the engine cooled. But by then the system pressure dropped and the leak stopped.

I found it by placing my fingers under the heater control valve while all was hot and my hand came away wet.

 

[akkoyote]

haha, ive had 3 of those control valves split in half on me while i was driving down the road... one time i had to use a 10 mm long socket and a couple hose clamps to re route while i waited for the part! ive also had pin hole leaks develop around the thermostat housing.

 

[RickMar]

Hi,
I had the same thing happening to me on my 1999 Mounty.
I was thinking it could possibly be a head gasket so I posted a thread looking for some answers to my suspicion.
I received an interesting reply that you may find helpful as I did. Here it is:

My 97 Exp wasn't exhausting any white smoke and no water in oil either until it was too late. The problem with my 5.0 was the water pump. The shaft slipped back and ground a hole in the timing chain cover. At first it wasn't leaking enough water to be noticed in the exhaust, but it was leaking enough that I had to refill it once a week as it would get hot and i couldn't figure out why. There was no sign in the oil, water, or thermostat. This may not be your problem but it's easy enough to pull the water pump to check.

I hope this information helps.
Good luck with your search in finding the problem.
Rick

 

[Xplorer82]

Eh, the only thing I can really say is when the engines warm and running, try to look all around over and see if you cant find where its leaking.

If its a 97, check the heater control valve, thats where it was leaking on my 95, just from dry rotting, it had a TINY crack. If you dont know what im talking about, i just happen to have a pic lol


mine was actually dripping onto the driveway, but then it started hitting the exhaust

thank you very much for that info, i will be checking that maybe later on today.

I would check the heater control valve as idicated by BrianDye. I have had to replace mine 3 times because of an internal leak failure (no cracks) that caused coolant to drip from the metal lever on the bottom in the picture above. The leak only occurred when the engine was hot, and the cooling system was under pressure. The coolant leaked down on the hot manifold so never made it to the ground until the engine cooled. But by then the system pressure dropped and the leak stopped.

I found it by placing my fingers under the heater control valve while all was hot and my hand came away wet.

thank you as well for your time and comment.

Hi,
I had the same thing happening to me on my 1999 Mounty.
I was thinking it could possibly be a head gasket so I posted a thread looking for some answers to my suspicion.
I received an interesting reply that you may find helpful as I did. Here it is:

I hope this information helps.
Good luck with your search in finding the problem.
Rick

i might as well check my water pump too, thanks. im just hoping it isn't a BIG problem like a blown head gasket. if so, i have quite a experience ahead of me . but i dont have the signs of one so hopefully im good there.


again, thanks everyone so far i'll be checking into what was suggested.

 

[budwich]

check your transmission fluid... :-(

 

[Xplorer82]

i'll check that too. thanks.

can anyone tell me the location of the heater control valve? i looked in the haynes manual and couldnt find it unless i overlooked it.

if needed (for the location) the vehicle specs are in the sig. thanks.

 

[Lloyd10977]

i'll check that too. thanks.

can anyone tell me the location of the heater control valve? i looked in the haynes manual and couldnt find it unless i overlooked it.

if needed (for the location) the vehicle specs are in the sig. thanks.

Standing in front of your truck, look to the left of your intake about halfway back in the engine compartment. The heater hoses from the firewall will terminate there. It should be in plain view.

 

[Xplorer82]

Standing in front of your truck, look to the left of your intake about halfway back in the engine compartment. The heater hoses from the firewall will terminate there. It should be in plain view.

, thanks Lloyd.


very helpful site/people, i'm glad i joined here