-
VIP Member
Finding tricky coolant leak 08 Sierra 5.3
I did a cam swap on this truck about a year or so ago, shortly after I got it.
Because of how quickly I did it after buying it, I'm not sure if this condition showed up before or after.
Long story short, when the truck is warm and idling, you can smell the sweet scent of coolant near the engine bay. It never drips anything, and I can't find obvious tell tale coolant traces from the front of the engine/block. No white smoke from exhaust, or engine bay, but the smell is most prevalent up front. It's a slooooooow leak, and I probably lose an inch of coolant every three months or so.
Any old timer tricks or whatnot to help me track this down?
2009 PBM G8 GT
Pat G 218/226 & TSP Dual 660s, ARP Bits, DSteck Tuned, Magnacharger Chrome 2300 1:1, RCR Ported/Polished TB, Blower, & L92 Heads w/ LS3 intake valves, Smith Brothers Trunion Bushing Kit, ARH 1 7/8 Magnaflow MidMuff/Solo Axlebacks, RotoFab, VaporWorx PWM 1:1 fuel system, ID1050x injectors
Mike Norris Motorsports Catchcan, AEM 30-4100, JHP Boost/Fuel Gauge Pod
TSW Nurburgring Matte Gray 18" w/Nitto 555 & 555R, Satin Black SS Brembo Fronts, BMR Trailing Arms, Pedders Sway Bars, Whiteline Bushings
Gloss Black Valve Covers, 6k HID, V6 Handles, Interior/License Plate LEDs, Debadged, Holden Black Trim, Polk Dxi, GXP diffusor, a few bits from Crazy Paul
Originally Posted by TonyKarter
Anyone who has ever worked on a car has been in your position, and sitting cross-legged on a concrete floor with a dim shop light is its own kind of hell... Chalk it up as one of the rites of passage.
RIP Charlie - GRRRR8
RIP Chris Wells - Panzer Leader
-
Moderator, Retired
Rest in Peace Charlie!
Sold
Just a GT
Originally Posted by
RichsGreyGT
this site is hardcore modding central.
-
VIP Member
Originally Posted by
-Ray-
Dye
Lights up under black light or somethin?
2009 PBM G8 GT
Pat G 218/226 & TSP Dual 660s, ARP Bits, DSteck Tuned, Magnacharger Chrome 2300 1:1, RCR Ported/Polished TB, Blower, & L92 Heads w/ LS3 intake valves, Smith Brothers Trunion Bushing Kit, ARH 1 7/8 Magnaflow MidMuff/Solo Axlebacks, RotoFab, VaporWorx PWM 1:1 fuel system, ID1050x injectors
Mike Norris Motorsports Catchcan, AEM 30-4100, JHP Boost/Fuel Gauge Pod
TSW Nurburgring Matte Gray 18" w/Nitto 555 & 555R, Satin Black SS Brembo Fronts, BMR Trailing Arms, Pedders Sway Bars, Whiteline Bushings
Gloss Black Valve Covers, 6k HID, V6 Handles, Interior/License Plate LEDs, Debadged, Holden Black Trim, Polk Dxi, GXP diffusor, a few bits from Crazy Paul
Originally Posted by TonyKarter
Anyone who has ever worked on a car has been in your position, and sitting cross-legged on a concrete floor with a dim shop light is its own kind of hell... Chalk it up as one of the rites of passage.
RIP Charlie - GRRRR8
RIP Chris Wells - Panzer Leader
-
Moderator, Retired
Rest in Peace Charlie!
Sold
Just a GT
Originally Posted by
RichsGreyGT
this site is hardcore modding central.
-
VIP Member
Originally Posted by
-Ray-
Damn auto correct! LOL
Took me a minute... Damn!
On a lighter note, I ordered some dexcool compatible DYE this morning. Thanks for the idea!
2009 PBM G8 GT
Pat G 218/226 & TSP Dual 660s, ARP Bits, DSteck Tuned, Magnacharger Chrome 2300 1:1, RCR Ported/Polished TB, Blower, & L92 Heads w/ LS3 intake valves, Smith Brothers Trunion Bushing Kit, ARH 1 7/8 Magnaflow MidMuff/Solo Axlebacks, RotoFab, VaporWorx PWM 1:1 fuel system, ID1050x injectors
Mike Norris Motorsports Catchcan, AEM 30-4100, JHP Boost/Fuel Gauge Pod
TSW Nurburgring Matte Gray 18" w/Nitto 555 & 555R, Satin Black SS Brembo Fronts, BMR Trailing Arms, Pedders Sway Bars, Whiteline Bushings
Gloss Black Valve Covers, 6k HID, V6 Handles, Interior/License Plate LEDs, Debadged, Holden Black Trim, Polk Dxi, GXP diffusor, a few bits from Crazy Paul
Originally Posted by TonyKarter
Anyone who has ever worked on a car has been in your position, and sitting cross-legged on a concrete floor with a dim shop light is its own kind of hell... Chalk it up as one of the rites of passage.
RIP Charlie - GRRRR8
RIP Chris Wells - Panzer Leader
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes
-
Weep hole in the water pump.
Replaced the pump on my old Avalanche (which I never should have sold...)...problem solved.
2017 Chevy SS / OrangeBlast / A6/ Spare/ Roof - hers
2016 Chevy SS / Jungle / M6 / Spare / Roof
2013 Chevy Avalanche / Z71 / FGM / Roof
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP / SBM / M6 / No Roof
1988 Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon (modified)
2009 Saab 9-3 Combi / 2.0T
-
VIP Member
Originally Posted by
MIEngineer
Weep hole in the water pump.
Replaced the pump on my old Avalanche (which I never should have sold...)...problem solved.
I'm hoping it's this easy. Will update after dye arrives
2009 PBM G8 GT
Pat G 218/226 & TSP Dual 660s, ARP Bits, DSteck Tuned, Magnacharger Chrome 2300 1:1, RCR Ported/Polished TB, Blower, & L92 Heads w/ LS3 intake valves, Smith Brothers Trunion Bushing Kit, ARH 1 7/8 Magnaflow MidMuff/Solo Axlebacks, RotoFab, VaporWorx PWM 1:1 fuel system, ID1050x injectors
Mike Norris Motorsports Catchcan, AEM 30-4100, JHP Boost/Fuel Gauge Pod
TSW Nurburgring Matte Gray 18" w/Nitto 555 & 555R, Satin Black SS Brembo Fronts, BMR Trailing Arms, Pedders Sway Bars, Whiteline Bushings
Gloss Black Valve Covers, 6k HID, V6 Handles, Interior/License Plate LEDs, Debadged, Holden Black Trim, Polk Dxi, GXP diffusor, a few bits from Crazy Paul
Originally Posted by TonyKarter
Anyone who has ever worked on a car has been in your position, and sitting cross-legged on a concrete floor with a dim shop light is its own kind of hell... Chalk it up as one of the rites of passage.
RIP Charlie - GRRRR8
RIP Chris Wells - Panzer Leader
-
Ever find that leak? I have one on my 5.3 also I can't find
-
VIP Member
Originally Posted by
1 GM TECH
Ever find that leak? I have one on my 5.3 also I can't find
Hey man. I didn't do the dye test yet, just dealt with the slight smell and lowering coolant level. The other day I gave it all a look again and noticed some dampness on the front/top near the cylinder head stamps BEFORE I started the truck. It looks like it has a seep at the water pump gaskets, and then when I start it, the seepage burns off.
I don't think the weep hole is an issue. I ordered new gaskets and as soon as I finish some other construction projects, I'll swap them out.
Sorry I didn't have more info for you.
Last edited by STL_G8GT; 11-26-2017 at 08:11 PM.
2009 PBM G8 GT
Pat G 218/226 & TSP Dual 660s, ARP Bits, DSteck Tuned, Magnacharger Chrome 2300 1:1, RCR Ported/Polished TB, Blower, & L92 Heads w/ LS3 intake valves, Smith Brothers Trunion Bushing Kit, ARH 1 7/8 Magnaflow MidMuff/Solo Axlebacks, RotoFab, VaporWorx PWM 1:1 fuel system, ID1050x injectors
Mike Norris Motorsports Catchcan, AEM 30-4100, JHP Boost/Fuel Gauge Pod
TSW Nurburgring Matte Gray 18" w/Nitto 555 & 555R, Satin Black SS Brembo Fronts, BMR Trailing Arms, Pedders Sway Bars, Whiteline Bushings
Gloss Black Valve Covers, 6k HID, V6 Handles, Interior/License Plate LEDs, Debadged, Holden Black Trim, Polk Dxi, GXP diffusor, a few bits from Crazy Paul
Originally Posted by TonyKarter
Anyone who has ever worked on a car has been in your position, and sitting cross-legged on a concrete floor with a dim shop light is its own kind of hell... Chalk it up as one of the rites of passage.
RIP Charlie - GRRRR8
RIP Chris Wells - Panzer Leader
-
I would replace the pump. It is cheap enough insurance that I would swap the part and keep it as a back up. I did that with my old 02 Avalanche [and, yes, I still miss that truck and wish I kept it haha]
Not worth a tow. $.02 
2017 Chevy SS / OrangeBlast / A6/ Spare/ Roof - hers
2016 Chevy SS / Jungle / M6 / Spare / Roof
2013 Chevy Avalanche / Z71 / FGM / Roof
2009 Pontiac G8 GXP / SBM / M6 / No Roof
1988 Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon (modified)
2009 Saab 9-3 Combi / 2.0T
Reply With Quote