2003 Chevy S10, fiancee work truck. Has been leaking radiator fluid. Every time he cranks it, he puts water in it. So, that it doesn’t over heat. I had to drive it the last 2 days. It doesn’t get above 210 it actually 2 notches under that. He’s going to change his plugs and wires today to see if their being steam cleaned but there’s no visible sign of water going away where.
Drive time is maybe 30 minutes to work and from. Minimal traffic or hills.
Standard if this helps.
Ugh
4 cylinder? 6 cylinder? If one or 2 of the spark plugs are super clean, likely a blown head gasket. In fact, the symptoms just scream “Blown Head Gasket”
This is the only answer that’s going to help you
Put the truck on jack stands
get under the truck, on a creeper
look for coolant residue with a flashlight and mirror
It’ll be obvious if the radiator, water pump, etc. are leaking
If you have the 4.3 liter V6, you’re going to have to look extremely hard at the lower intake manifold, the front timing cover and the bellhousing area. If you see ANY coolant residue between the intake manifold and the valve cover gaskets, the lower intake gaskets are goners. If you see any coolant trickling down the front or back of the engine, again, the lower intake gaskets are goners.
It is a 4 cylinder
Yes sir
I will let him know
I’ll go a little off topic . . .
We have a few S-10s in our fleet with that exact configuration, and they are pathetic weaklings
The 4.3 liter V6 was a much better choice
The 4 cylinder had no business being under the hood of an S-10
He loves this truck. He just drives it for work.
We normally take my 2003 Ford F150 everywhere else when it’s running right.
So you said leaking radiator fluid though you cannot see drips on the ground? As mentioned I’d look all over the engine bay compartment, top and underneath, for fluid after it has been running.
Not really sure where it is leaking from. I just know we are adding fluid daily
If it is an internal coolant headgasket leak, which means coolant is getting into the oil, I’d recommend “Bar’s Leaks Blown Head Gasket Repair (HG-1)” which is like $40 and there’s a $10 rebate. You just pour it into the radiator and don’t have to drain anything. If you do that and the coolant loss stops, then you know the headgasket(s) are the issue and should look into that.
If it is a leaking radiator you should be able to see coolant leaking on the ground from the front. If it’s leaking externally, such as from the radiator or a coolant hose then you should be able to find coolant on the ground or somewhere in the engine bay after it’s running, or steam from it burning off.
Yes Sir
I will let him read this when I get home. Still at work.
Now if it would just stop raining
Thank you
For y’all time