Coolant leaking

mastercamper

Well-known member
Nov 18, 2006
934
20
Erwin TN
03 D2 195k. I’ve had a nominal leak for years but in the past few weeks I’ve been loosing coolant after i shut the truck off. Is more than a drip maybe enough to fill a tic tac container or a little more. It’s coming from the passenger side close to fire wall. Heads haven’t been done and I’m guessing that this may be a sign. The truck can sit for a week and nothing. Doesn’t smoke no coolant in oil. I did notice the coolant was low after using the heat for the first time don’t think it’s related since the leak starts as soon as I turn the truck off.
 

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
Likely either the throttle body heater or the head gaskets. TBH is cheap, check there first. There is a flourescent dye you can use to track it.
 

ukoffroad

Well-known member
Jan 13, 2010
2,125
168
Lynchburg, Va
Mine as well. passenger side might be related to a leaking res. but that is usually more obvious. One of mine was leaking on the passenger side, between the last tow cylinders but most was burning off with the exhaust
 
Aug 20, 2007
2,727
45
Nashville TN
sounds like a head gasket. it's probably expanding enough under heat to leak while at operating temp and then it shrinks back enough to not leak while cold. since it's a small amount, it could be burning off before it shows any wet spots while operating.
 

robertofollia

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2005
555
2
My home is where my Disco is
The coolant passage galleries are at the back of the engine, close to the firewall. Been there in 2009. I saw them drip as soon as I swtiched engine off, the drip fell onto the exhaust so made noise when turning into steam. Long story short: both head gaskets. Did not leak again...from that place. Best regards
 

mastercamper

Well-known member
Nov 18, 2006
934
20
Erwin TN
The coolant passage galleries are at the back of the engine, close to the firewall. Been there in 2009. I saw them drip as soon as I swtiched engine off, the drip fell onto the exhaust so made noise when turning into steam. Long story short: both head gaskets. Did not leak again...from that place. Best regards
From that place?
 
Aug 20, 2007
2,727
45
Nashville TN
From that place?
he's saying he got coolant leaks elsewhere later but the heads were good in the original leak spot after replacing the head gaskets. you can leak from the radiator, overflow tank, any hose, the front coolant passages, the heater core, the radiator or the front cover.
 

mastercamper

Well-known member
Nov 18, 2006
934
20
Erwin TN
he's saying he got coolant leaks elsewhere later but the heads were good in the original leak spot after replacing the head gaskets. you can leak from the radiator, overflow tank, any hose, the front coolant passages, the heater core, the radiator or the front cover.
I’m aware of what he’s saying.