Coolant Leak help

[adamh3844]

purchased truck rebuilt 2002 ram 1500 4.7l about 10 months ago and has been losing coolant gradually starting after about 5k miles on new engine.
I love the truck and want to keep it built am worried about the coolant leak.
It doesn't show any idle problems, no white smoke, no water out exhaust.
It is clear it is leaking out the gaskets (externally) but only loses (noticeable amount) of coolant when working on her hard.
Have had some people say there is coolant lines that go through the intake manifold which could be leaking?
I change the oil under 4k miles with Royal Purple Filter and Oil.
Have had to refill coolant in past 3 months using almost 4 quarts of coolant (8 quarts if when mixed 50/50)

I have worked on engines before and rebuilt brothers 4.6l GT mustang, heads, cams, headers, gaskets, etc...

Have been told to run coolant pressure test, bust also told that it wont show anything especially if engine is not under a load or resistance.

Any information is greatly appreciated, I would love to keep this truck for years to come and invested alot of time into her already.

 

[Johnsram]

It seems simple. If coolant is leaking out of the head gasket(s)...or any fluid is leaking through any gasket, that gasket requires replacement.

 

[adamh3844]

It seems simple. If coolant is leaking out of the head gasket(s)...or any fluid is leaking through any gasket, that gasket requires replacement.

I’m concerned that the leak could be something greater and the gaskets are brand new with rebuild so feel as though it wouldn’t be the gasket. Guess nothing I can do until I take the engine apart?

 

[Johnsram]

Well, does it throw any codes? A stethoscope can locate certain issues, but that does not seem to be your problem.

If it's a new gasket perhaps it was torqued incorrectly...or perhaps the heads are warped.

 

[adamh3844]

Well, does it throw any codes? A stethoscope can locate certain issues, but that does not seem to be your problem.

If it's a new gasket perhaps it was torqued incorrectly...or perhaps the heads are warped.

No codes since I’ve gotten it. No problem with running it. But that’s what I fear. I the heads were machined when rebuilt.

 

[Johnsram]

I would fear a seized piston or thrown rod over a leaking gasket. The leak must be identified and repaired if you want to keep truckin'.

If the heads were machined w/ new gaskets installed, why not bring it back to that shop?

 

[adamh3844]

I purchased the truck after the rebuild so I don’t have cover on anything... and exactly what I fear.

 

[Ramnewbie]

Do a UOA and see if you're getting any coolant in you're oil, if not then it's an external leak, or possibly heater core.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[adamh3844]

Do a UOA and see if you're getting any coolant in you're oil, if not then it's an external leak, or possibly heater core.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Checked oil and didn’t have any sign of coolant. Nothing in oil itself and nothing on oil cap either

 

[Hootbro]

Have been told to run coolant pressure test, bust also told that it wont show anything especially if engine is not under a load or resistance.

Coolant pressure test is still a good data point. I would still have one done and go from there.

 

[alittlerusty]

If it’s leaking externally as said clean and dry any wet areas then pressurize the system or run the engine to pressurize it and see where it’s coming from. Is it wet near the water pump thermostat heater core lines etc

 

[adamh3844]

Ran the Coolant Pressure Test and it sat at 16psi when cold. Going to clean up the area, run test when engine is warm. Then run test for compression.

 

[Bigdog9598]

Adamh3844, my truck is a 2007 w/4.7. check the radiator end caps. my were plastic and had a hair line crack. my best guess, when the engine was warm the leaking coolant evaporated. once I finally saw the coolant on the ground I could trace it back to the crack in the radiator.

I still have a slight coolant leak. it appears to be coming from the timing chain cover. I have read that this leak is common on rams. I have no coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant.

Don't know how similar the 2002 engine is to a 2007, but under the alternator is wet on mine.

Hope that helps?

 

[adamh3844]

Adamh3844, my truck is a 2007 w/4.7. check the radiator end caps. my were plastic and had a hair line crack. my best guess, when the engine was warm the leaking coolant evaporated. once I finally saw the coolant on the ground I could trace it back to the crack in the radiator.

I still have a slight coolant leak. it appears to be coming from the timing chain cover. I have read that this leak is common on rams. I have no coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant.

Don't know how similar the 2002 engine is to a 2007, but under the alternator is wet on mine.

Hope that helps?

I am finding most of the coolant on the gaskets and dripping down to the differential where i can find it pooling together to form a drip.
The pictures show the leak on passenger side, but i am finding coolant on front differential which is on the driver side.
Will get better pictures and see what it looks like cleaned up once weather warms up a little.