Hi, I have a 4.7L in a 2003 Ram 1500 automatic with about 40,000 miles on a LKQ remanufactured engine. It is loosing coolant. It is not on the ground or in the oil. There are are steam puffs coming out of the exhaust sometimes. I don't know where to start diagnostics. I feel it could be a cracked block or head. Possibly a leaking head or intake gasket. Maybe some other coolant and fuel or combustion system interface. Please help, I'm down to one vehicle and it won't haul much. Regards, Chip (near Houston)
Pressure test your cooling system (UV dye can help) and test cooling system for exhaust gases.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C4R96icPpI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0U8Iyf0kk4
Hi, Thanks, ordering test equipment tonight.
Used the exhaust in coolant tester. I have exhaust in the coolant. Didn't have to pump, it just bubbled through. Should I drive it till it drops, try some stop leak, or tear it down for repair. I have no idea if it is a gasket or a crack in the head or block.
Used the exhaust in coolant tester. I have exhaust in the coolant. Didn't have to pump, it just bubbled through. Should I drive it till it drops, try some stop leak, or tear it down for repair. I have no idea if it is a gasket or a crack in the head or block.
Should I drive it till it drops, try some stop leak, or tear it down for repair. I have no idea if it is a gasket or a crack in the head or block.
It depends on what you want to do. It will probably drop pretty soon if left alone.
That truck is already 20 years old, so if you want to just nurse a few more miles out of you could try a sealer product. (Scotty recommends the Bars Leaks head gasket product in the silver bottle.) However realize that's a temporary bandaid that may not work at all and may plug up your cooling system.
If you want to keep it going for as long as possible you'd need to do a proper repair, but if you can't do the work yourself that's big $$$$ to put into something that old.
I put a LKQ rebuilt engine (rebuilt trans too) in it about 4 years ago, and have about 80,000 miles on it. Replacement dash was done a year ago, and the front suspension was redone about 100,000 miles ago. Diff is about the only thing not done.
Bump