Missing coolant

[Sterling]

I'm losing coolant. No drips or signs of a leak.
I feared a head gasket so I bought a chemical test kit and got nothing. I can smell coolant so I'm guessing the heater core? If it leaks where would I see it? Or would I see it? If I use a pressure test would that test the entire cooling system or just the radiator?

When I purchased the 5.9 a month ago it had no heat so I cleaned the heater core. Filthy swamp water came out.

Thanks

 

[Joe w.]

I never saw a leak when my heater core went out

 

[dudeman2009]

I'm going to bet on the heater core. Unless coolant is gushing under the hood, the only way to smell it is if its coming from the vents. If its a small enough leak, you won't have any real puddles as it will evaporate as fast as it leaks. Its been my experience that when you flush the radiator, if it looks like crap, you probably just washed away garbage that was plugging a hole.

I made a couple posts on here about how to replace the heater core without disconnecting the AC or pulling the whole dash.

 

[Sterling]

Thanks. Guess I'll shunt off the heater core and freeze my a** off until I get it replaced. Before I freeze what is the best method to test?

 

[dudeman2009]

You're using coolant, you can smell it and its not gushing under the hood, that kind of test enough.

Butt if you really want, you can get some UV dye and put it in the radiator, run around for a few days, then use a black light and check around your vents. The windshield too if you use the defrost setting a lot.

 

[Sterling]

Yeah, I guess you're right. It certainly sounds like the heater core. Guess I'll be looking at your heater core post.
Thanks

 

[dondale13]

Sounds like a heater core. Make sure the radiator's full, drive til the truck is hot, close the windows, turn on the defrost. If it definitely is the heater core you'll get a much stronger smell, if it's a really bad leak your windshield will fog over! If it ain't your heater core hit us back, a lot of experience on here!

 

[alanack6795]

The evaporator box has a drain near the passenger side manifold. It will **** coolant on the ground if the heater core goes.

Drop the blow motor and stick your finger in there