Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-25-2011, 06:49 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: France, Europe
Posts: 617
Sprung a coolant leak



Just found a big puddle under my van...
I wondered if any of you GM (or others in the know) drivers could advise.
My Van has 80'000 Kms and is 12 years old...
Do you think it might be the dreaded intake manifold or a head-gasket?
I ask this due to all the web horror stories I have seen... Dex Cool etc..

I am actually having great difficulty in locating the leak in the maize of pipes...
It seems it might be dripping somewhere around the passenger side exhaust manifold and seems to exit under the van over the cross-member...

If it is a big job I will be attempting taking it on myself but wonder if I will be needing some special tools, I have read a Scan Tool (more than the scan gauge) to read Cam advance to reset the timing or maybe scan gauge does display this info???

Ok I am yattering on a bit but you all know what it feels like when your prides motor starts to play-up

Thanks for any advice you might have

__________________
New ride: 2000 Chevy Suburban 1500 4WD
1998 Chevy Express 2500 past project
+ 1990 Mitsubishi Pajero V6 3.0l
+ 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero Hirsch
+ 1972 Saab 96 V4 (not running)
+ fixed house (Argh)
saabman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2011, 09:08 AM   #2
Site Team
 
BroncoHauler's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,177
Re: Sprung a coolant leak

Has it been cold enough for the coolant to freeze in one of the hoses? Might be a simple fix if it's just a burst hose.


Herb
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
BroncoHauler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2011, 12:17 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Angel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Posts: 482
Re: Sprung a coolant leak

the leak I had, which was not easy to find, was the heater core.

Angel
__________________
2008 SMB E350 EB V10 White with Cruiser Top; EB-17 modified floor plan; Salem Kroger 4X4;
285/75/17E tires; Named: "The Lighthouse"
2000 Isuzu Rodeo V6 4WD
2006 Chalet LTW 15ft. Folding Travel Trailer 14 in. tires
Angel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2011, 02:56 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 162
Re: Sprung a coolant leak

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel
the leak I had, which was not easy to find, was the heater core.

Angel
Hey Angel,

i notice in your sig that you own or (owned) Chalet ltw. I have looked at Chalet xl1938.
what do you think of chalet quality.

gerry
__________________
gerry
gerrym51 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2011, 03:45 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: France, Europe
Posts: 617
Re: Sprung a coolant leak

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel
the leak I had, which was not easy to find, was the heater core.

Angel
Hmmm yes mine seems to leak to far forward... but I will check that component...
__________________
New ride: 2000 Chevy Suburban 1500 4WD
1998 Chevy Express 2500 past project
+ 1990 Mitsubishi Pajero V6 3.0l
+ 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero Hirsch
+ 1972 Saab 96 V4 (not running)
+ fixed house (Argh)
saabman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2011, 05:05 PM   #6
Site Team
 
daveb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
Garage
Re: Sprung a coolant leak

What engine do you have in your van?
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer

Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures..........On and off road adventures
daveb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2011, 12:33 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: France, Europe
Posts: 617
Re: Sprung a coolant leak

L31 5.7 Vortec (I think that is the 350)
__________________
New ride: 2000 Chevy Suburban 1500 4WD
1998 Chevy Express 2500 past project
+ 1990 Mitsubishi Pajero V6 3.0l
+ 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero Hirsch
+ 1972 Saab 96 V4 (not running)
+ fixed house (Argh)
saabman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2011, 09:30 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Angel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Posts: 482
Re: Sprung a coolant leak

gerry,

I think the quality of the Chalet is very good, as good as SMB if not better. That is why they hold their price. I bought mine new so I could design it for Baja.

Angel
__________________
2008 SMB E350 EB V10 White with Cruiser Top; EB-17 modified floor plan; Salem Kroger 4X4;
285/75/17E tires; Named: "The Lighthouse"
2000 Isuzu Rodeo V6 4WD
2006 Chalet LTW 15ft. Folding Travel Trailer 14 in. tires
Angel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2011, 01:31 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Silver350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 427
Re: Sprung a coolant leak

Have you checked the waterpump? It has a weep hole to let you know it is about to fail. If you drive it and it doesn't leak when warm and then leaves a puddle overnight, it is very likely a waterpump. Otherwise, take off what you need to see around the engine, pressurize the system and have a good look. It could also be a freeze plug, very simple to fix if you can reach it.
__________________
"there is neither science nor fact prevailing here" - vlamgat
Silver350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-26-2011, 02:41 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: France, Europe
Posts: 617
Re: Sprung a coolant leak

Quote:
Originally Posted by Silver350
Have you checked the waterpump? It has a weep hole to let you know it is about to fail. If you drive it and it doesn't leak when warm and then leaves a puddle overnight, it is very likely a waterpump. Otherwise, take off what you need to see around the engine, pressurize the system and have a good look. It could also be a freeze plug, very simple to fix if you can reach it.
exactly that it doesn't leak when I drive but leave a puddle overnight!

I will strip all the junk (air cleaner, water reserve etc.) around the engine and have another look...

Thanks for your message it sort of reassures me that it is not a top end repair...
__________________
New ride: 2000 Chevy Suburban 1500 4WD
1998 Chevy Express 2500 past project
+ 1990 Mitsubishi Pajero V6 3.0l
+ 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero Hirsch
+ 1972 Saab 96 V4 (not running)
+ fixed house (Argh)
saabman is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

Le Moose

Stanvan

TBD

thatsandrea
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:25 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.