Coolant disappearing

I think mel is thinking what I am thinking, is a lim gasket or head gasket . When these gaskets start to go it is hard to diagnose, but with a sniffer and a pressure tester you can pin point it. Just kep an eye on the oil for antifreeze, milky color oil.
 
Can you rent a hydrocarbon tester kit from an auto parts store? I know you can rent the pressure tester.
 
I have never seen one rented. The best place would be ur local mechanics emmision machine. The tailpipe sniffer.
 
Emissions testing isn't required where I live so that won't be an option. I've seen some kits online but don't really have the money to spend on one.
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O'Reilly Auto Parts had a block tester kit (which tests for hydrocarbons in the coolant) and a cooling system pressure test kit both of which I rented. The test for hydrocarbons was negative so no blown head gasket or cracked block or head. The radiator cap tested fine but the cooling system has a leak as it wouldn't hold pressure over time. It lost about a pound of pressure every 10 or 15 minutes. I noticed coolant dripping under the vehicle from behind the oil pan and in front of the transmission pan. I'm assuming that would be dripping from the intake gasket area from above. Would this leak allow air in the system and cause it too air lock over a few cycles? Would everyone agree that this is probably the intake gaskets?
 
as it cools it will suck in air, you cannt spot the point of the intake leak to make certain?
 
No, I tried but there's just too much stuff in the way and the back half of the engine is nearly impossible to get to. Would it be better to go underneath and look from there?
 
That would explain why is doesn't draw coolant back into the radiator.
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Ok, I think I want to fix this vehicle myself. I'm pretty convinced that it's the lower intake gasket leaking. I can get an intake gasket set from O'Reilly Auto Parts for $60. It includes the following: upper and lower manifold gasket set, valve cover gaskets, 8 intake bolts with thread locker, two heater tube o-rings, distributor o-ring, and EGR valve gasket. Is there anything else I need? Maybe a tube of gasket sealer? If so, what kind? What about the tool to remove the push rods without removing the rocker arms? Please offer any ideas and suggestions.
 
Thanks for the link. I would also love to hear from somebody who's actually done the intake gasket replacement so I can benefit from any tips and hints and any other special tools or supplies I might need.
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I'm about to run this Montana off a cliff somewhere. I did the intake gasket replacement and the vehicle ran fine for a week or so but today (it's 2 below outside) the hot coolant light comes on. There's no reason this stupid thing should be overheating. The leaks are fixed and the system was air free. I'm sick of it. Any ideas now? I already did a hydrocarbon test before I did the repair and it showed that the head gaskets are fine.
 
Stuck closed thermastat ? maybe some dirt/ debris lodged in there? Kind of easy to check, start with cold engines start the van and watch temp gauge if it goes straight to hot after a few min then i would try changing it. Would be cheap enough to do, unless yours is in the bottom of the engine bay.
 
I just replaced the thermostat and flushed the system when I did the intake gasket replacement a few weeks ago. It's a bitch to get to. I realize that it could be a defective thermostat even though it's brand new but I'm gonna go with the odds and say that's probably not it. Thanks for the suggestion though. If coolant is still disappearing the way it was originally even after doing all this work, it's going to the junkyard. I've replaced everything that would fix a leak except head gaskets and the hydrocarbon test didn't find any evidence of a head gasket leak. I'm stumped though.
 
Have you taken a IR gun to verify that it is really overheating and not a bad sensor?
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melsg5 said:
Have you taken a IR gun to verify that it is really overheating and not a bad sensor?
Click to expand...

Good point , if I am not mistaken the montana also has a idiot light or something that lights up in the multi function display along with the temp gauge. What is the temp gauge doing when the light comes on ?
 
Yup

I feel your pain Waldreps….I am about to replace all gaskets down to and including the head gaskets….Slow leak, no visible sign of a leak…This van is slowly making me crazy…LOL

All the info in this thread is helpful though!
 
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