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2001 GMC Sierra 1500

 

Question: my 2001 gmc / 5.3 has an antifreeze leak.

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roxanne2001, Anchorage, AK, November 13, 2012, 19:01
 Rookie

I have put in a new water pump, flushed coolant and put in new antifreeze. There has not been any water in the oil. The cooling system was tested. There was no co2 in the coolant and it keeps pressure. I am lost as to where the antifreeze goes. The surge tanks stays fine for days then will start going down.

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  • Answer #1

    pushrod November 13, 2012, 21:40
     Master

    No "C0" in cooling system, that is good. Have system pressure tested, may have to let pressure stay on for a while.
    Maybe with engine running, poss. intake gasket. But this eng. isn't known to have any intake H20 leaks.
    Also while under pressure look closely at radiator!
    No water in oil is also a good thing as that means no cracked heads or gaskets!
    I say external leak.

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    roxanne2001, November 14, 2012, 15:59
     Rookie

    Thanks for the reply. I'm going to check the intake manifold this weekend. This engine has a radiator hose from the radiator going to the throttle body. Could there be a leak in the throttle body. ??? What is this line for. I figure it heats the throttle body so ice crystals don't form. I have been told to check the charcoal canister. I have no idea why that has anything to do with the coolant leak. ???

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  • Answer #2

    Greg's Orange Auto (8410 Answers) , Orange, CA - (714) 361-9355
    globalhelper November 14, 2012, 06:13
     Master

    some of these eng have defective cyl heads and crack around valve springs which will cause this issue. pull the valve covers and look around valve springs for cracks or a wash area that is clean from oil residue

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    pushrod, November 14, 2012, 16:14
     Master

    Pressure test!

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    roxanne2001, November 14, 2012, 16:25
     Rookie

    ok I will pressure test. 1st time I've ever tried doing forum. thanks

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    pushrod, November 14, 2012, 21:23
     Master

    You are welcom, i don't see the connection with the evap. canister either.

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    joeofamerica, December 11, 2012, 17:22
     Rookie

    Hi you all. I'm also having problem with coolant leak in my 2001 GMC 1500 Sierra. The cooling system pressure has been tested and it was found OK (15PSI). The light comes on (coolant low level) every 100 miles driven. I' ve read at AA1CAR.COM that some GMC V8 are notorious for leaky intake manifold gaskets. Is that true? The truck spent about 1 hour at the mechanic. What did they miss? The water pump has been replaced on 12/2011.Thanks a lot.

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    pushrod, December 11, 2012, 17:38
     Master

    How long was the 15psi applied? May take an hour or more on a warm engine to show up.
    Uv sensitive dye is also useful.

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