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2001 Chevy Suburban Coolant Leak
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Ghorton87
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May 5, 2019, 4:04 PM
Post #1 of 6
(1836 views)
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2001 Chevy Suburban Coolant Leak
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2001 Suburban, 5.3L with 150k miles. I have a coolant leak that doesn't empty everyday but I have been topping it off daily. There is no visual leak or pooling underneath, checked everything I can think of. I've had a couple shops do a brief visual inspection as well. The vehicle runs fine and there is no white smoke, and the oil is normal color. I hooked a pressure tester to it at 17 psi for 30 min and lost 3 psi over that time. Any thoughts on where I should look or what I should test before I take it to have the engine disassembled?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 5, 2019, 4:51 PM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: 2001 Chevy Suburban Coolant Leak
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There is likely a leak there somewhere and you just haven't found it yet. The pressure tested is the way you will find it. Just keep the pressure on it until it eventually shows up.
If nothing shows up visually, remove all the spark plugs and pressure it some more. After you keep the pressure on it 30 minutes or so, have someone spin the engine over with the plugs still out and watch for any coolant spit out of any of the cylinders.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 6, 2019, 1:42 AM
Post #3 of 6
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Re: 2001 Chevy Suburban Coolant Leak
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Notes: Losing that 3 PSI could easily be just temp dropped so means little.
You know it's losing coolant. Try to run a finger UNDER hoses and connections it should have odd connections for heater core near firewall I think can't drip on hot exhaust so evidence is gone.
When tricky just know it might leak at a lower pressure not at a higher pressure rubber sealing can do that. Also check hose to recovery tank itself for leaks from that to radiator,
T
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Ghorton87
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May 6, 2019, 9:33 AM
Post #4 of 6
(1776 views)
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Re: 2001 Chevy Suburban Coolant Leak
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Thank you! I am fairly certain it is an internal leak at this point.... and if my research is correct, the 2001 5.3 has a dry intake therefore it could only be a head gasket and not a intake leak; is this correct?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 6, 2019, 9:53 AM
Post #5 of 6
(1769 views)
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Re: 2001 Chevy Suburban Coolant Leak
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OK: I'm not certain how and where intake gaskets on this seal but many could very slowly leak in, NOT out to see and burn it slow enough for now you don't see it.
Clues could be a strange exhaust odor.
I think I'd leave it under pressure test overnight or when not in use time there's a risk you can avoid if that's happening. Turn engine by crank bolt before using starter motor see if you can do two whole revolutions first. If it stopped firmly that would be super high chance coolant is in a cylinder it will not compress pulling plugs out it would escape know it's head or intake that caused it or so far haven't heard of a crack in metal parts but on the possible list.
You have to find where it's going if like that more to verify just what and why would be taking it apart for checks. Since nothing seen yet one way to begin checking how it has this problem and on to solve it,
T
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