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2003 Silverado Low Coolant

by , Posted to on 08/15/2011 09:53 AM | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 04/24/2002
Location: ND
Just wondering if anyone else has run into this.  I have a 2003 Silverado, 5.3L with around 158,000 miles on it.  My coolant level goes down every week but I don't see any leaks.  Had it in for an oil change one day and they couldn't find any leaks and the oil doesn't look like it has moisture in it.
More outdoor talk, less political talk!
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 09:58 AM | Reply #1 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/12/2003
Location: SD
Put some coolant dye it it you will find any external leaks with that stuff.
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 10:06 AM | Reply #2 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/09/2003
Location: ND
rhino76 considering that you are not seeing any sign of the lost coolant I'm about 90% sure that you are losing coolant through your exhaust due to bad head gasket.

Hunt Hard and NEVER GIVE UP

Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 10:08 AM | Reply #3 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/09/2003
Location: ND
If this is the case it will eventually lead to big problems, I would get it looked at.

Hunt Hard and NEVER GIVE UP

Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 10:10 AM | Reply #4 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 12/01/2008
Location: ND
buckmaster81 Said:
rhino76 considering that you are not seeing any sign of the lost coolant I'm about 90% sure that you are losing coolant through your exhaust due to bad head gasket.
Very possible.  Does your exhaust smell "sweet" ?

"Diligence is the mother of good luck."
Benjamin Franklin

Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 10:24 AM | Reply #5 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 01/25/2007
Location: ND

I have a 2003 as well.  Didn't see any puddles, but my gasket on my water pump was leaking.  Was coming right out of the release drain on the bottom of the water pump, so the pump might have started to fail, but still working.  Had a new pump and gasket put on and now I am not loosing any more coolant.

Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 10:29 AM | Reply #6 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/18/2004
Location: ND
Just buy a Ford....problem solved
 

If we're not supposed to eat animals, how come they're made out of meat?

Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 10:50 AM | Reply #7 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 08/12/2003
Location: ND
 
Captain Ahab Said:
buckmaster81 Said:
rhino76 considering that you are not seeing any sign of the lost coolant I'm about 90% sure that you are losing coolant through your exhaust due to bad head gasket.
Very possible.  Does your exhaust smell "sweet" ?

Would be where I looked 1st as well.

..............THIS SPACE FOR RENT..............
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 11:13 AM | Reply #8 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 12/03/2009
Location: ND
i had a 99 silverado that did the same thing and it was my thermostat sticking and making it overflow?
HJchamp
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 11:42 AM | Reply #9 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 04/24/2002
Location: ND
I never thought about coolant dye, I'll have to try that.

I would like to get a new ford but this one is almost paid off and it would be nice not to have a truck payment for a while.
More outdoor talk, less political talk!
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 11:57 AM | Reply #10 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/18/2004
Location: ND
rhino76 Said:
I never thought about coolant dye, I'll have to try that.

I would like to get a new ford but this one is almost paid off and it would be nice not to have a truck payment for a while.
Agree'd, just thought I might be able to start that whole arguement...

 

If we're not supposed to eat animals, how come they're made out of meat?

Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 12:26 PM | Reply #11 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/30/2006
Location: ND
go to resslers- kupper now and have kendall look at it hahaha

i would say if its a slow leak, could be evaporating on the eng block. feel the weep hole under the water pump. or it could be intake or head gasket. check your oil fill cap and see if it is milky looking. best place to start noticing water in oil...
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in english, thank a vet.
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 12:48 PM | Reply #12 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/26/2010
Location: nd
I have the same truck and had the same issue. I took it to a guy from fischer's in Minot. It was a head basket seal if I remember right. Wasn't too spendy to fix. Cheaper than a month of truck payment anyways.
Live hard! Die happy!
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 1:34 PM | Reply #13 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 04/24/2002
Location: ND
tinker Said:
go to resslers- kupper now and have kendall look at it hahaha

i would say if its a slow leak, could be evaporating on the eng block. feel the weep hole under the water pump. or it could be intake or head gasket. check your oil fill cap and see if it is milky looking. best place to start noticing water in oil...
Screw Kupper and Foss!  I can't stand either one of them.

Actually the more I think about it the more I'm leaning toward trading it off.  I have a bunch of other things/maintenance to spend on it.

More outdoor talk, less political talk!
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 3:39 PM | Reply #14 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/09/2003
Location: ND
make you sweet deal on a new one rhino..... just sayin..

Hunt Hard and NEVER GIVE UP

Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 4:09 PM | Reply #15 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 07/27/2002
Location: ND
buckmaster81 Said:
rhino76 considering that you are not seeing any sign of the lost coolant I'm about 90% sure that you are losing coolant through your exhaust due to bad head gasket.
            Would almost bet money on it also.

Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 4:09 PM | Reply #16 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 04/24/2002
Location: ND
buckmaster81 Said:
make you sweet deal on a new one rhino..... just sayin..

I take it you're a salesman at a Ford dealership?
More outdoor talk, less political talk!
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 4:54 PM | Reply #17 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/24/2005
Location: ND
If you have a frost plug heater,check for leak while up on hoist and truck running.
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 4:55 PM | Reply #18 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/24/2010
Location: ND
johnr Said:
Just buy a Ford....problem solved
  +1,000,000

 
Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 5:03 PM | Reply #19 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 12/01/2008
Location: ND
taylorman_55 Said:
johnr Said:
Just buy a Ford....problem solved
  +1,000,000



I have one ford.  It is currently leaking power steering fluid on my driveway, likes to heat up while driving down the road, and gets rediculously bad gas mileage.  It has 95,000 miles on it.  It's not all roses with the blue oval either. 

"Diligence is the mother of good luck."
Benjamin Franklin

Re: 2003 Silverado Low Coolant
by on 08/15/2011 5:05 PM | Reply #20 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 02/24/2010
Location: ND
Captain Ahab Said:
taylorman_55 Said:
johnr Said:
Just buy a Ford....problem solved
  +1,000,000



I have one ford.  It is currently leaking power steering fluid on my driveway, likes to heat up while driving down the road, and gets rediculously bad gas mileage.  It has 95,000 miles on it.  It's not all roses with the blue oval either. 


You must have got a lemon.   Because most Fords dont have any problems with them. lol
 
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Posted On: 08/15/2011 09:53 AM
1888 Views, 31 Comments

Tags: 0, silverado, coolant, low, oil, leaks, 1, 000, 5.3l, wondering
More Tags: oil change, oil, Human Interest
Region: North Dakota

Categories: Outdoor Sports > Trucks and Truck Accessories
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