Radiator fluid disappearing and lean codes on bank 1 + 2.

[Steviski]

I've been having some trouble over the past year with a check engine light on my X. I've noticed the radiator fluid to be seriously low, however I see no fluid leaks anywhere. I have also been getting Lean codes from the truck for sometime. The truck is idling high and obviously getting crappy gas mileage.

I think I may have an internal leak, where my coolent and oil are mixing. I'm thinking this is the issue, as I was able to get the lean codes to go away for awhile after using a bottle of Restore during my oil change. Since then the Retore doesn't help.

Any thoughts?

 

[dogfriend]

Any thoughts?

My thought is a leaking head gasket. Look for water in oil, oil in water, white smoke from tailpipe. Another thought is a cracked head, same symptoms.

I don't have any happy thoughts.

 

[jlsparky7]

Few questions....
Vehicle Mileage?
How long has it been using coolant?
Have you replaced any coolant components?(Thermostat, water pump, hoses, rad, rad cap?)
What is your gas mileage?
Engine been over heated at all?
Whats the temp gauge running at and how long does it take to get there?
Did you run a dirty air filter or no air filter at any point?
Any chance the coolant is dripping on a hot exhaust part and burning off before it hits the ground?
Have you dont a compression test? If so are 2 cylinders that are next to each other significantly lower?

Here is a list of things to take into consideration if you are getting poor gas mileage.

Driving Habits
Tire pressure
Dragging brakes
Air Filter (if you have an air filter that requires oil, if over oiled the oil can get on the MAF)
Fuel Filter (One bad tank of fuel can clog a fuel filter)
Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF)
Idle Air Control Unit (IAC)
Oil change (Preferably Synthetic)
Transmission Fuid Change (Preferably Synthetic)
Differential Fluid Change (Preferably Synthetic)
Bad wheel bearings
Intake Leak
Exhaust Leak
Seafoam (Carbon buildup)
Spark Plugs
Spark plug Wires
Thermostat
Radiator Flush
Alignment
Extra weight unneeded weight
Fuel quality (Every tank of fuel and gas station is different)
Compression
02 Sensor
Clogged Fuel Injector(s)

 

[Steviski]

My thought is a leaking head gasket. Look for water in oil, oil in water, white smoke from tailpipe. Another thought is a cracked head, same symptoms.

I don't have any happy thoughts.

I was thinking the samething, so this weekend I flushed my radiator and put a bottle of Bar's Radiator Stop Leak in. It said it would seal any head gasket leaks, as well as similar issues. I also replaced all plugs and wires, (gap on #5 was off by.06mm), however none of the plugs appeared to be cleaner than the rest or had a coolant colored sheen to them, so I don't think there was a cylinder leak. Oil was clean, with no milky substance. I did however notice white smoke from the tail pipe before and after the procedure.

Engine RPM at idle dropped from around 1100-1200 prior to the procedure to around 750-800 following. Running smooth as silk at 162,000 and hopefully another 150,000 to go.

I'm thinking that it may take a few miles to burn off any remnants. I'm hoping the white smoke will disappate after another tank or two.

Powers back, fuel mileage is back....I think I've got it.

Thanks for the posts dogfriend / jlsparky7. I'll repost if the issue reappears. Wish me luck.

 

[Steviski]

Sorry, it was Bar's Head Gasket Repair, not Radiator Stop leak.

http://www.barsproducts.com/1100.htm

I also replaced the thermostat as well.

 

[dogfriend]

Good luck.

 

[99awd50]

this may sound dumb.. but i bought my 98 awd 5.0 for 1000 dollars with water in oil.. but still ran... after trial and error it turned out to be a deteriorated timing cover... the coolant i guess got so bad it turned into an acid and ate away at the timing cover directly in front of the timing chain and ate away at it til a 1mm diameter hole was discovered...it looked pretty crazy.. that was the problem on my end and not a head gasket, not a intake to head problem or anything like that.. so all you 5.0 guys.. if you have 75k mile or more 5 liter... be careful.. and this is a california vehicle.. peace

 

[alohamonte]

What was your temp gauge reading (while engine was warm) before you did the flush/repair? Any chance it read cold?

 

[Steviski]

The Temp. Gauge read normal. The truck would heat up fairly quickly and heat was always running hot.