loosing antifreeze
#1
10-28-2012 | 10:55 AM
Thread Starter
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Beginner
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 7
loosing antifreeze
My 2002 Chevy Silverado 4.3L 63k miles is loosing antifreeze somewhere. 
Don't see it on the ground, on the engine - or smell it. Oil looks fine - no milk or foam.
Not loosing much - less than a half gallon in 6 months.
My one friend said it's probable a leaking intake manifold gasket - and the antifreeze is going into the intake - out the exhaust
but there is no visible smoke.
How serious is this?? Another friend said just forget it - add some antifreeze when low keep driving.
Should I take it to the dealer?
If it is a intake gasket - it's too big a job for me - how much am I looking at?
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Don't see it on the ground, on the engine - or smell it. Oil looks fine - no milk or foam.
Not loosing much - less than a half gallon in 6 months.
My one friend said it's probable a leaking intake manifold gasket - and the antifreeze is going into the intake - out the exhaust
but there is no visible smoke. How serious is this?? Another friend said just forget it - add some antifreeze when low keep driving.
Should I take it to the dealer?
If it is a intake gasket - it's too big a job for me - how much am I looking at?
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks!
#2
10-28-2012 | 03:14 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 190
From: Warren, Ohio
At that rate it can be leaking into the engine oil and not show milky. It will however show on a oil sample sent to a lab. Our S-blazer was leaking around that mileage and showed on the oil sample but did not discolor the oil.
Lower intake manifold (LIM)gaskets are so common on GM engines I almost consider them a maintenance item. It should be a 5-6hr job at a shop, more if the find other items needing service.
It can be very serious if the gasket has a major failure while driving. Many engines have been wrecked when the gasket fails while driving and dumps the coolant into the oil.
I just replaced LIM gaskets and a UIM(upper intake manifold) for a co-worker who just kept refilling all summer long. Time will tell if he did any long term damage.
Also check the bottom of the water pump real closely. There is a small 1/8" hole that is a weap hole and if you see any residue from coolant/water then replace it.
Lower intake manifold (LIM)gaskets are so common on GM engines I almost consider them a maintenance item. It should be a 5-6hr job at a shop, more if the find other items needing service.
It can be very serious if the gasket has a major failure while driving. Many engines have been wrecked when the gasket fails while driving and dumps the coolant into the oil.
I just replaced LIM gaskets and a UIM(upper intake manifold) for a co-worker who just kept refilling all summer long. Time will tell if he did any long term damage.
Also check the bottom of the water pump real closely. There is a small 1/8" hole that is a weap hole and if you see any residue from coolant/water then replace it.
#4
10-28-2012 | 07:14 PM
Administrator
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
From: Northern Ont
Go to your local Amsoil dealer and give him a sample of your oil.
He'll send it off to get it annualized. They'll tell ya if there is any significant amount of antifreeze in it It's a free service from Amsoil
He'll send it off to get it annualized. They'll tell ya if there is any significant amount of antifreeze in it It's a free service from Amsoil
#5
10-28-2012 | 10:03 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 190
From: Warren, Ohio
No offense but they are your dice so roll them as often as you want.
Was not aware that Amsoil offers that service for free, I use Blackstone labs. Just sent out a sample for my 6.5TD with 2300 miles and 7 months on the oil and requested a TAN reading as well.
Was not aware that Amsoil offers that service for free, I use Blackstone labs. Just sent out a sample for my 6.5TD with 2300 miles and 7 months on the oil and requested a TAN reading as well.
#7
10-30-2012 | 08:25 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 190
From: Warren, Ohio
Glad to hear your taking this seriously. Anti-freeze should not just go down like that.
What I'm not sure is how your results are gonna read now. Your supposed to warm the engine then take a sample mid-stream from the draining oil a few seconds after pulling the plug.
What I'm not sure is how your results are gonna read now. Your supposed to warm the engine then take a sample mid-stream from the draining oil a few seconds after pulling the plug.