Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Radiator and Cooling Questions

The recovery tank should be located on the passenger side under the hood against the fender. Fill both the tank and the radiator when cold, start it up and allow it to reach running temperature so that the thermostat opens.

#53 of 79 LOSS OF COOLANT/5.7 by huero

Dec 01, 2009 (10:32 am)

I HAVE A 95 SIERRA AND I SEEM TO BE LOSING COOLANT SAW AROUND THERMOSTAT AND REPLACED IT BUT STILL LOSING COOLANT NO BIG PUDDLES ARE ANYTHING RESERVE IS EVEN EMPTY ABOUT A DAY SO YOU WOULD THINK I WOULD SEE SOMETHING ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEAS WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE.

Replies to this message:

hahh (Mar 08, 2010 4:13 pm)

#54 of 79 coolant leak by keith76

Dec 01, 2009 (12:11 pm)

I drive a 2004 GMC Sierra. I have a small coolant leak that looks like it is coming from the water pump. Is there anything I can do without replacing it?

Replies to this message:

obyone (Dec 01, 2009 4:07 pm)

#55 of 79 Re: coolant leak [keith76] by obyone

Dec 01, 2009 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: keith76 (Dec 01, 2009 12:11 pm)

You could try a stop leak type of product that you can find at the auto parts store. I've heard black pepper works well too. At most though these will be temporary fixes. Eventually you will have to replace the water pump.

#56 of 79 Coolant - 2003 1500HD by opc167

Feb 25, 2010 (7:50 am)

#57 of 79 Coolant - 2003 1500HD by opc167

Feb 25, 2010 (7:50 am)

Need some help trouble-shooting. Every 400/500 miles I have to add coolant.

Oil clean.
No presure in Reservoir to suspect head leak.

I added stop leak yesterday. I haven't taken the top cover off, but does this model have a radiator cap and should I flush it, add treatment and stopleak again or should I have a preasure test done on it? I don't know what to do at this point to trouble-shoot. It's not running hot at all. Someone suggested it may be evaperating but how can you tell? HELP.

#58 of 79 Re: LOSS OF COOLANT/5.7 [huero] by hahh

Mar 08, 2010 (4:13 pm)

Replying to: huero (Dec 01, 2009 10:32 am)

I need to replace the thermostat on my 1995 GMC Sierra PU. Is the thermostat located on the top of the engine where the radiator hose connects to engine block?

I haven't had to replace a thermostat on any vehicle for many years. The vehicles I used to work on had the thermostat on top and were easily identifide.

Just looking for a little direction.
Thanks

#59 of 79 Re: '04 Silverado 5.3L "Invisible" Coolant Leak [pwryan] by tomcatwillie

Apr 27, 2010 (1:28 am)

Replying to: pwryan (Oct 11, 2009 6:56 pm)

I've got an 01 Silverado with the 5.3 and can smell antifreeze and am loosing a very small amount and like most others here - I have not been able to find the leak - yet. I went to our local GM dealer Parts Dept and inquired about the supposed "GM Magic Pills." The parts guy believes the way I do. Don't put that junk (any stop leak) in your cooling system as it will plug up the radiator and heater core and cause overheating problems down the line. A radiator repair shop owner told me the same thing. Fix the leak properly - once you find it. I am just beginning to check my system out. I've pulled all of the spark plugs out and there is no visible trace on the plugs that antifreeze is getting into the cylinders. Good news so far... I will run a compression test on it tomorrow. I bought a new water pump and serpentine belt (about $200 at O'Reilly's) and plan to install them. The GM Parts guy told me that some of the water pump gaskets that came out (on some years) from the factory were faulty and will start leaking in time. Not sure exactly what years. I should have asked. Even if it's not the water pump or it's gaskets, my Silverado is due for a new pump anyway. It's got close to 140,000 miles on it and the pump has never been replaced. It surely couldn't have lasted much longer. Same with the serpentine belt... It has cracks at 140 K. So time to replace it too. I'm also replacing the spark plugs and the plug wires. I ran a resistance test on two of the wires. One tested fine and the other has HIGH resistance. One bad one spoiled the whole barrel... I will up-date here - if and when I find where my antifreeze leak is/was. Good luck to all of the rest of you who are having the same problem with your Silverado 5.3. Whatever I find still beats driving a Dodge... LOL

tomcatn

Replies to this message:

snydosaurus (Jun 05, 2010 2:37 pm)

#60 of 79 invisible coolant leak by jeb1870

Apr 29, 2010 (12:25 pm)

has anybody figured out were the anti freeze goes??I have an 04 with the 5.3 and cant find the leak??

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