Chevy 5.3L Coolant Loss - Chevy Silverado Avalanche Cracked Head
Vložit
- čas přidán 18. 12. 2015
- Do you have a 1999- 2009 Chevy Silverado, Chevy Avalanche, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade or other GM product with the 5.3L engine and are experiencing coolant loss and find no external leakage? This issue is addressed in GM TSB #06-06-01-019B Watch this video for helpful information regarding identification of common cracked cylinder heads on these vehicles.
- Auta a dopravní prostředky
I have 1999 GMC Sierra losing coolant. Thanks for scaring the shit out of me with this video.
Ditto that! I got 280k miles in my 99 model, and its telling me low coolent after I drive it longer than a half hour around town. Never had that before. Overflow shows slightly low after a while, I hope its just the cap, or pump and not a cracked fn cyl!
+Teri Farley you ever figure your issue out...I am having the identical problem...
My 5.7 blew the intake manifold gasket and I lost coolant in much the same way. It wasted my engine too. Great diagnostic and explanation of the issue here, thanks.
+wyattoneable I just did a 5.7 intake a few days ago. Been a while since I did one. Brought back found memories. Take care!
That's some bad news for this guy! Thanks for the video!
130,000 mi is bearly broke in vehicle where I'm from 😂
Evidently not in Alaska...whatever that means....he must be new to the LS platform....
forreal, my 5.3 has 265,000 and still running strong
@@kashola9671 just about the same miles and it still pulls for me ahhaa
Facts my 04 5.3 has 240k and going strong
My 5.3 has / 450 so I don't know what you're talkin about doesn't sound like a smart businessman to me
hey. your vids are great. i just finished rebuilding an ls 6.0 for my wifes escalade. pretty easy to rebuild if you have done bbc or sbc engines. valve spring broke and i went through it. totally worth it. bored .030 over crank was good and heads redone with ls1 valve springs. i have a few vids on this build
Good deal. Very solid engine. Thanks for dropping by.
well just bought a Tahoe with 170000 mi. I didn't see any of the signs. but glad I saw the video. Thanks Tim!
+The Disgruntled Mechanic hope it doesn't have the castech heads.
+The Car Doctor so not every 5.3L engines from those years will have these bad heads is what you are saying, correct?
+The Disgruntled Mechanic Yes, there are two different manufacturers of cylinder heads for these engines and the effected heads are only of the castech variety.
+The Car Doctor Well I think I am going to treat it like expectant parents when asked t if they want to know the sex of their unborn baby. I'll wait to find out when it happens!
You should name your new truck "Caitlyn" and avoid any confusion about the sex.
I would love to do it with a shop like yours. I'm always working off the ground...sucks
yup the outside on the ground gang will make you tough but it sux lol
my 04 silverado with the 5.3 just hit 300,000 and it runs like a champ
2005 Silverado with the 5.3 at 220K!
I have an 04 Avalanche 5.3 ..after I fix one thing another breaks. Been that way for almost a solid year now. 189k miles 2nd owner 2x4 grocery getter and boat towing
01 Sierra 234k still runs like a new one
07 Silverado 4.8 with 306k still going strong
My 05 Sierra has 264.000 miles 4.8..all you have to do is take care of it. Miles don't mean jack !@#$.. lol
I don't believe I've ever seen a goo that thick Tim. As you've mentioned in the comments, hopefully the owner will get a few more miles out of that engine. Good info for sure...
+stuzman52 At first I thought it just didn't have any oil in it until a blob came out. yuk!
good info
I was unlucky also. Caught it in time replaced the head, that was 160,000 kms ago. Trucks running great no issues since. I noticed when my oil pressure started dropping from sludge in filter. 2005 sierra 5.3
Oh crud. Glad you got it fixed up. Many happy miles to you!
Excellent video. I guess i'll have to subscribe. I get the pass it to a young guy for an engine replacement. I'm almost 66 years old and still working part time as a mechanic so my engine replacing days are over.
+wysetech2000 Wow, good for you. I'll bet you still get a lot of satisfaction from your work too. You probably like using your hands, fixing things and helping people. Great qualities in a man. The heavy line work is definitely a young techs world but we just use our head (what's left of it) over our back. Thanks for the subscription! I hope I can keep you entertained. Look around at my videos, there's some interesting stuff there. Take care.
+The Car Doctor You're right, I still get a lot of satisfaction from my work but not the frustration it sometimes brings. After 47 years in the trade I hate being beaten by a problem vehicle. My patience is long gone. I do like helping others especially younger guys in the shop who want to learn. I believe that on todays cars you need a little old school as well as technology to be successful at repairing them. The younger generation wants to diagnose problems with scan tools and scopes and have no respect for old school. When I pointed out recently that the misfire our young apprentice could not find was a huge carbon track on a spark plug porcelain the first thing he said was that it didn't show on any of the test equipment. LoL.
Haha, I can do more with a test light then most young guys can with a 4channel lab scope but I have to admit there are some very talented kids coming up through the ranks too. My patience has been illusive over the past few years and it discouraging to me.
+wysetech2000 Having fixed more cars with a mouse instead of a wrench during the last ten years has made me think that todays mechanic has to be a combination of rocket scientist and grease monkey with the emphasis towards the former. All good mechanics are somewhat hot tempered because it takes intense emotions to deal with todays patience testing dilemmas. I long for the simple brake job or a points and condenser job on an air cooled bug..
True dat!
I just bought one of those with 280k and it has this problem and I was told it's water pump too. Runs great though
Hello Tim, I have a 2004 chevy avalanche 5.3L that I just found has cracked head, any online place to buy both heads or I should fix those? any advice is welcome thanks
Car Dr. Why is 130k considered high mileage in Alaska? Maybe because of cold starts?
That Death Cool really did sludge up.
Looking at an 08 Avalanche with 130,000 miles on it. Looks like it has had the head gasket replaced at 113,000 miles. Should I be worried about it going out again?
That's quite a viscosity change!
+Thomas EXOVCDS I saw this before. It was after the Excon Valdez oil spill in 1989. The oil would form "tar balls" that floated around in the ocean and washed up on shores far away from the spill. I think they have those in the lower 48 coastal states as well. Never a good thing to find in an oil pan. Yuk.
😂
I looked up this TSB and it shows 2001 and newer. Did you say the wrong TSB number by chance?
I have a 2000 Yukon XL.
My 2004 GMC Sierra (210,000 km) has this exact problem I have been losing coolant for quite awhile with no apparent pressure drop and no other signs of leaking. Unfortunately the last time I changed my oil it looked exactly like that! Well it looks like I could be hooped. Thanks for the video.
Very good
I guess I can't complain, I've gotten 360,000 km on it, with minimal leak now after 18 years, ha ha. The TSB above covers 2001 and on, evidently not my 2000, although I'll have to glance at the cylinder heads anyway at some point. Alldata didn't call up the above TSB automatically for my Suburban, presumably because the vehicle manufacture date is not included under that heading.
I've gotten 308000 on my 2003 Z71 Avalanche. I don't know what that is in kilometers. LOL
My 2000 Silverado 5.3 temperature gauge goes up then goes down the over flow hose leaks coolant sometimes and when u add coolant to the reservoir it fills up half way then the rest goes out the overflow hose
If it's like my 2003 Avalanche Z71 oh, it doesn't have an overflow. The container that looks like an overflow is part of the cooling system itself. When the engine is hot that plastic container is actually pressurized. It acts as an extension to the radiator. If it's like mine you'll notice there is no cap on the radiator. The only place to add antifreeze and coolant is in the plastic container itself.
Good info Tim , I only seen one Silverado so far with the coolant loss issue and cracked heads. Takes time for these issues to surface but GM has extended the warranty I believe on the 5.3 with the casting defect. Have to check on that one to make sure. Still a $5k -$7 K repair I imagine.
+Steve Rob Ill have to look into coverage for this one but I think its probably outside the coverage zone. I have not seen many of these either.
I have long term lifter tick that turned into what sounded like a stuck lifter or rod knock paired with low oil pressure. Regular oil changes had that sounding better and resolved pressure issues. Now the noise is back and I'm losing coolant. Today it's pretty bad thinking it's going to blow up before I get home. We'll see
Jared Burgett LOL. I’m in the exact same boat with mine
Hay I got the same problem as you do same year
@@markcolwart3035 Mine is still running. I gave up. I use Lucas Oil Stabilizer every oil change. My coolant is just perpetually out. I don't overheat. Apparently I have Cast Tech heads and they're known to be porous and the coolant evaporates through them. No problems so far other than the mysterious noise. Gets bad some days, others no noise. Just waiting for it to explode still. Actively tried making it explode for a while. No dice. Can't kill it. Lol.
The Bulletin clearly shows only 2001-2006 engines used Castek heads. Dont bother watching if your chevy if your vehicle falls out of that range
2006 Silverado Z71 5.3 and coolant reservoir low since topping off last year and lifter ticking noise on startup... no leaks or water pump weeping that i can see....185k miles so probably gonna add 1 bottle K Seal to be safe... i only drive it about 3-5k miles per year and looking to make it last.
From what I see in the video looks like the cylinder head has a crack or the head gasket took a dump.
What about simply changing the cylinder heads for new cylinder heads?
Sure.... and make sure you change the oil and sell the car, cuz it won’t be your problem anymore
Also depressurize the coolant system by ripping the rubber seal on rad cap. In Alaska you never have to worry about overheating.
+Astro Camper I changed the oil added alumaseal and sent him packing. Haven't heard back from him.
Doesnt matter how cold it is any engine that isnt air cooled, that has a cooling problem, can overheat.
I have the casttek heads on my 2001 GMC Yukon XL heads started leaking at 250k now I got 295k all you half to do it's called K seal poured it in let it run up to you worked for me.
Glad that helped. Ill tell my customer about that product since he is on his last leg with engine noise because of the leak
2003 GMC Yukon SLT with coolant leaking into the cylinders. I tried this K Seal based on this comment. 296K miles on her and the dealer is telling me I need a new engine. So with nothing left to lose I've tried this. It's been a week as of the point of this comment and the cooling is holding steady.... No more disappearing coolant, and the truck is running fine.
Was your oil pressure dropping?
Is the truck still running today? How many more miles did you get out of it?
Your truck wouldn’t happen to of had the lifter tick as well would it?
Sooooooo true I'm tired of doing everything myself send it to a young guy like you said and get it over with best advice ever lol
haha, im not a "young guy" but thanks for the compliment
The Car Doctor if I can ask you a question please my LS motor which is a 5.3 was fine when I pulled it out I put it in another vehicle from a Tahoe to a Silverado same year now it acts like it's overheating new radiator fans are kicking on new thermostat water pump any idea what else appreciate your advice
Whats the actual temp of the motor? Is it possible the temp sensor isn't reading properly?
The Car Doctor it blows water out of the reserve tank but the water is not hot
Hey bro quick question and I need your expertise, I’ve replaced my whole coolant system and my avalanche keeps over heating. I’ve burped it and she ran great for about 3 weeks and now it’s k we heating again
I have a,2002 avalanche, just replaced water pump and hoses, ac belt serpentine belt, plugs wires, and my truck just passed 300,000 miles I treat her with lots of tlc
2004 Silverado. 240,xxx starting to get a lot of white exhaust smoke. No coolant leak.
Blown head gasket
Hello, i got a 03 sierra 5.3. There is a small bolt that bubbles behind the water pump when my engine is running this is on top of the engine block riggt behing the waterpump and it dripps down the front of the block it looks like a 10mm bolt do u know what this bolt is for?
Are there certain casting #'s to be ware of?
What heads are a good replacement?
Don't forget coolant leaks at those crappy plastic heater core fittings and Y fitting off the water pump for external leaks on those trucks. Castech heads! i have seen my share of those era trucks with NO coolant in the bottle. The Made in INDIA coolant bottle caps do not last very long on them either. The O ring turns hard as a rock. Luckily that solved the issue when the truck kept loosing some coolant.
+Ghetto Wagon yes I have seen the heater hose couplers leak also. This truck has been driven hard and put away wet. I'll post a follow up if I see it again.
Best to just go and buy a cap to have even if you don't quite need it! Rent a pressure tester and test the system as well as the cap, likely the cap could be a part of, if not the whole issue. Water pumps are fairly easy to replace, but new engine sounds like a disaster.
You don't want to do that to the Jeep v6. It plugs the upper head coolant restriction holes in the head gasket and causes an exhaust valve seat to drop.
I have 2004 chevy 5.3 it has coolant in the air intake do you know how that would get inside air intake?
Does it also blow white smoke at tail pipe?
Does it include 6.0? I have a mystery coolant leak on my 2002 6.0.
2004 5.3 vortec how many coolant sensor port in the head my friend broke the coolant sensor off on the driver side would there be a secondary that I could use broken sensor not leaking
I replaced mine
Thinking I'm going through this problem right now... how much more use could I possibly get out of the truck if I choose to replace the cylinder head instead of the engine itself? Truck is sitting at almost 137k miles.
Those blocks can last for many miles. Hard to say. Maybe a used engine with low miles would be an option. A long block would be my suggestion if the rest of the truck is nice
Hi Car Doctor. I have a 03 Chevy Avalanche with a 5.3l Vortec. In April, 2016 the motor blew due to a lifter seating. I had a Reman Jasper motor put in. I also paid extra for a kit that replaced water pump, fuel pump, belts, hoses etc. Oh and i also had the driver side intake manifold replaced. The problem is I still am using antifreeze with no sign of leakage on the outside. Any ideas?
Oh bummer. Not sure. Might be worth taking to a shop and having it diagnosed since it should have a warranty on the engine.
Those water pump gaskets don't last long and hard to see. Also check under oil cap for that milky sludge (cracked head)
I liked the video. Any feedback on the Stop Leak stuff for the cracked head? I'm in the same boat, 2003 GMC truck with 220,000 miles. Not worth a new engine, but $16, got nothing to loose! Oh, I'm in Anchorage too, best place to take used motor oil? Used to the auto parts stores down south taking it, but no one here seems to.
The transfer station takes 5GA a day for free. I know they make some interesting stop leak formulas but I haven't tried any other than the alumaseal powder. IM sure some folks on here will suggest all kinds of super duper stuff. Just stay away from the black goopy bars-leak garbage. That's stuff causes serious problems. I would put a couple tubes of alumaseal from NAPA and try that
Thanks for the info. Didn't realize the transfer station was free. Whatever happened with the Chevy in the video? Did they use a crack sealant? Any recommendation on getting the sludge out of the oil *if* the stop leak works?
@@ThecardoctorTV K-Seal has been working for more than a year for me. Any recommendations on getting the sludge out without dropping the oil pan?
How can you check the radiator fluid easily in this engine? I see the reservoir but no radiator caps. Also those chevy jerks up in the canada factory shipped my truck with a stripped spark plug hole in the cylinder!
But everybody keeps calling the reservoir is technically the same thing as the top of the radiator. What you see in there tells you if the radiator is full. If you feel that and start the truck it will immediately go down when the water pump starts to turn. Once the radiator is completely full and the thermostat is open send you Phillip to the right level for hot. When you start the vehicle it should not go down.
330,000 miles on my 2001 Sierra with coolant loss. No difference in oil texture or discoloration. Need to pressure test it and see what I find.
I have the same issue on my 2007 Silverado. It has 270k no oil issues and truck runs fine
My 07 Silverado was leaking around the spark plug area and I put some of the head gasket leak fixer in it and it stop but Then iput the rest mix with water a day later...now my truck is pushing water out my reservoir when it start to over heat...could it be air bubbles...I don’t have an leaks going on right now
These trucks don't tend to get air locked when refilling the system so it might be something else. Hope its not curtains for the heads. hope you get it figured out.
My 03 Chevy Silverado is on 376+ and just blown a head gasket
Hey doc! I just replaced the 706 heads and gasket in my 04 yukon because of castecs. Also replaced water pump and coolant reservoir cap. The damn thing is still consuming coolant! No visible leaks, pressure test was leaking 1 psi/hour. Any direction or clues you can give me? I am going crazy
Any luck on solving your mystery?
Question I own a 2001 Chevy Silverado and it has a problem where it's pumping water off the top of the head could you tell me what the problem is
Cracked head?
I have a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 5.3l 177k miles no issues yet
Hey car doctor, I recently purchased a 2001 GMC Yukon but I'm loosing cooling I change the oil but it looks find. It doesn't make any noise what's so ever. What do u recommend it is ? Can it b a Chacked gasket ?
The most common source of coolant loss on your vehicle is leaking water pump. Look under the front of the vehicle along the front of the engine for any signs of coolant. It runs down the front and off the sides of the oil pan.
I got a 02 chevy truck with same problem, I keep changing oil ever 1000 or so miles it had quit leaking in crank case you ever here of that don't know why I'm afraid to change coolant in it the old coolant may have it sealed.
+Joe Tiller I could see if it had some stop leak in the coolant or clumps of stuff that clog up the cracks but probably not common. I like using Alumaseal stop leak. It's the powder stuff in the small tube. The black oily liquid type stop leak is bad.
How long can you run an engine like that without damaging it?
anyday could be the day you ruin it.. if its running hot, it can crack whenever it wants...it's kind of like asking how long will it be before the thin ice im walking on cracks...answer: when it gives out... hope that helps.. peace
Run gas through the motor to clean out all oil passages of the goo. May take a couple times with oil changes..even if it takes 3 times..you'd be surprised how it cleans it all out..no need to blow a was on a motor.
Im having oil pressure problems and my hose coming off my reservoir hose is shaking when my water pump is suckin the coolant out of it, just finished doing a AFM delete and now this ... no water in oil, no smoke from exhaust, new water pump, new thermostat, temp wise it should stay at 210 it gets to around 220 and when i give it some rpms it goes back to 210.... im hearing a bunch of bubbles maybe just air in the system but its driving me fckin crazy.... oil pressure @ idle is 17 pounds, driving wise its 40..... new oil pump "melling" new oring on the pickup tube
Same thing happened to my 99 5.3 at 260k ..
LOL, send it some young guy, I get that, I am an old guy me self.
+joel mccoin you know it's probably not the worse job but it's labor intensive, it ties up a bay for at least a day or two and if for any reason you have to do it over again for free you have a lot to loose. I used to do engine warranty work for a big rebuilder and that's all I did. But that was when I was young and skinny! :)
what's the normal operating temperature for a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 2wd? my temperature gauge is reading a tick below 210 is there any way to get that a little bit lower I've changed temperature sensor, 195* thermostat, coolant flush (50/50 orange, new radiator, hoses, oil change, water pump it's not leaking at all it's not burning antifreeze at all new knocker sensors, new gaskets and it's still reading a tick below 210 any help thanks
THE EXPLORATION OF FAKE SPACE thats normal, your gauge isn't wrong. Same goes for my truck.
The old trick of using a lower temp thermostat does not apply well to computer controlled engines. The computer expects something around 210 F. If it is lower, like 195 F, it will assume it has not warmed up completely and it will not run right.
Both mine are dead on 210.
thoughts on my 14 5.3 silverado burning 1 qt oil in 2k miles?
Get a range amf dissabler for it. My 2011 was doing the same thing. Now I burn 1/4 of a quart every 5k. (My 5.3 has 185k miles on it)
It includes the non castec heads.Jasper Engines and Transmissions has found this,they scrap 50% of the heads doing pressure leaks around the middle headbolt hole where it cracks.The heads were casted wrong,the middle headbolt hole was casted with no middle support.
+wafrederick I'm sure it does. The TSB only refers to the castec heads. I've only ran into this a few times over the years but I'm not an engine builder. I bet Jasper sees this a lot. Hey thanks for he info. Take care.
Jasper does see this a lot.They have a youtube channel and have a video on it.This is with every core they receive.Seen this with a 2005 GMC Sierra so far,the heads were junk and the customer was losing coolant.Pulled the valve covers,sludged up with an orange goo.
Yuk.
thanks. as luck would have it just got a used 02 Avalanche and it has a small coolant leak. luckily the oil looks ok so far, but thus isn't good news, however thanks. :\
Was your oil pressure low?
Wow besides the cracked head there was no regular maintenance at all on that engine. Us old guys don't fold and bend like we used to 😉
+N Smith No but I do have cat-like reflexes :)
I wouldn't hesitate to slap some new heads on it and keep going for another few hundred thousand miles. I really don't see the point in replacing the entire engine.
I think it's just to avoid having a plugged oil galley or potentially changing the heads and finding out the block is cracked after all that work and money... the guy probably uses this as his daily driver and can't afford all the down time... not everyone can have a huge troubleshooting money saving extravaganza.. some people gotta bite the bullet and get back on the road to get to work with full peace of mind and be done with it..
I would put stop leak and run it as long as I could. Nothing to loose. I be seen people driving 50k with stop leak and blown head gasket
+Astro Camper that's what I did with the customers permission. If he changes the oil often and keeps the coolant full it will probably go for a while.
Astro Camper have you ever used blue devil that shit works I never once has trusted a head gasket stop leak
I have family in Anchorage my brother Joe Brown he drives a Jeep lol I’m from Juneau I just moved back from Hoonah I spent 2 years up there lived it I’ll retire up in’s Anchorage or Juneau
This guy never blinks?
fuckucatchme1000rr
Blinking is a sign of fear.
The Car Dr. Ain't scared! 😂
Must be an army man
My leak is under the powersteering pump not a hose not on water pump
The oil is good
hey cardoctor you want something easy to fix? my dodge ram 5.9 starts up and stalls when the engine is warm ????
Any codes? Fuel pressure good? Check waveform for CKP sensor. Common issue
The Car Doctor i got the code for a camshaft/crankshaft sensor
I would replace the crank sensor since it's cheap and easy and see what happens.
p1391
Or test the waveform on a lab scope and post the results here.
Why is that high miles?
Why not just change heads. ? Unless the lower rod bearing are ground up.
Ive never had a major problem with 5.3 or 5.7. Except for the stupid wireing and ground wires.
My 2002 savana went cookoo only in reverse sputered and died. After restart it sputered and on highest blinking engine light. Got worse with time.
3 mechanics took my money and no clues. I sold it.
I have a 5.3 02 silverado 222k on it and I’m loosing coolant.truck doesn’t over heat has a new water pump any one have any idea?
Radiator cap.
CASTEC heads?
castech
they've been running that bad head(s) for quite some time.... That oil was THICK!!
I think hes still running it. Crazy
wow! surprised it still is! I can't imagine the lifter noise on it by now!
Engine swap for a bad head? I guess when your spending other folks money. Obviously the engine is fine, clean the thing out, R&R the heads. Sounds like if it were to come in with a bad battery you would suggest replacement of the entire vehicle. Just my opinion though. More power to ya, if you convinced the customer bro replace the entire engine for a head problem.
hello i have a 2007 silverado 4.8 that suddenly started to over heat meaning passing the 210 normal mark needle goes just pass the 0 on the 210 then the fans come on and it goes back to normal. it never over heats with the ac on because the fans are always running, I change the thermostat twice, change to the coolant temp sensor, replace water pump, belts and tensioner and still over heats. no collant loss done about 1 oil change after having the problem no coolant in oil and not loosing coolant in the resevoir, Any ideas?
thanks
Pedro Ramirez my truck did that . I went through all kinds of stuff trying to figure out why it was over heating. I was the little hose from the over flow tank that goes back to the radiator. It was clogged up. Blew it out and it's been fine ever since
140k is considered high mileage lol here in California that’s considered low miles
Welcome to Alaska!
What casting number was on the head...706?
130k is high mileage in Alaska?
yes
The Car Doctor that’s low miles down here for us. Anything under 150. Why is that because of the colder temps and road salt?
Your vehicle has to be reliable. Your life could depend on it a good portion of the year due to climate.
I've heard terrible things about that dex cool crap
Yes its nasty when it breaks down., I have one in the shop now that ate through the head gaskets because it wasn't ever changed.
That engine is a baby I got 263k on mine
wow, I'm tired of tune ups and easy work! I'd love to do a motor a day! And you're complaining! lol
I would probably go out of business if I took in many engine jobs. Just tie up too much shop space and im not set up for it nor do I have the physical ability to do that heavy line work anymore. Besides that, we are in Anchorage, Alaska and getting engines up here is a pain and expensive.
The Car Doctor fair enough
Nooooooooo......
Chevy sucks.
Have a question have 03 Silverado with p0300 random misfire .i got truck as a project they said it need alternator.but it good..any when I first drove it the check engine light would only come on when driving not sitting and ran ruff bogging no powe at all..put new plus wires didn't help . I pulled the front O2 sensor still didn't help.thomwas clogged cats..then I tryed spraying some intake cleaner in intake..after that I tryed starting it I seem some smoke coming from behind the drivers head area..and the Exhuast head the rear lot area was bubbling alittle..now when I open the driver door the dash flashes some lights make weird noise with no keys even in it..could, be a bad ground somewhere..I can't figure it any help would be great :)