Low coolant possible bad head gasket?

_DieselPower_ · Jan 3, 2013

So about two weeks ago I checked my coolant and it was at the min level. I forgot to buy coolant because of the holiday season and when I pulled it in today I looked at the coolant and its about 1/2in below the min line. I just replaced the water pump maybe 7 months ago and I dont see any leaks or white smoke except for on start up. Once in awhile when I look above my driver side front tire the frame it looks wet but I figured it was just because of the cold temperatures. It runs fine but I do get the check engine light on start up and it goes off when the truck hits high idle. I believe thats just a bad glow plug I havent read the computer yet. Oh and my truck only has 157k miles on it

POWER-STRUCK · Jan 3, 2013

check waterpump and t-stat housing closer and coolant line coming from rh head

Arisley · Jan 5, 2013

And check that code.

_DieselPower_ · Jan 5, 2013

I checked the code said nothing was wrong. Went to Orileys and they said their wasnt a problem either

Arisley · Jan 5, 2013

O'Reilly's code reader will not work on our trucks. What code reader were you using?

If the CEL came on, there is a code stored.

mandkole · Jan 5, 2013

Check all around under the hood, looking for the coolant residue tracks. Can you smell coolant under hood? Look at the water pump, oil cooler, t stat, hose/radiator connections, radiator tanks/core/fins, etc. If you are concerned about HGs do a pressure check on the cooling system.

Stroked · Jan 6, 2013

as said, check the code, but theres usually not a code for a coolant leak,... also see if someone near you can possibly do a a compression test for you. guessing through the internet is a good start, but youll never figure it out until you check the obvious