Coolant Problem 2000 GMC Sierra

[lokidog]

I have a 2000 Sierra as mentioned.  I've been needing to add a bit of coolant for a while but have not gotten around to it since I rarely drive over a mile at a time.

Sunday, as I pulled up to our other truck, steam started pouring out from under the truck and the temperature started to spike. I pulled it off the road to find lots of fluid sprayed in the lower part of the engine compartment in front of the passenger position. 

I have not had a chance to look under there yet and was wondering if anyone had any ideas of where to look? I'm hoping it is a heater core hose or something simple of course. My research begins now....

[Woodchuck]

Take a long look at the underside of the water pump, if that is it, it is a bit of a time taker and not the cheapest water pump you will ever buy. Be sure to do the thermostat as well, it bolts right to the water pump.

[carlyoungs]

I had my water pump leaking on my 2002 Silverado.  It actually only took about an hour to replace it and I had never done one. I just watched a YouTube video. All said I think it was about $150. I think the 99 to 02 are all the same but could be wrong.

[lokidog]

Cool, thanks!  It gives me a place to start.  I ended up out fishing for way longer than I expected to be today so did not look at it.

[JimmyHoffa]

sometimes you can tell if it is the water pump by checking for play in the main shaft.  If you take the belt off and you can move it or hear it, one of the bearings might have failed and opened up a small escape path.

[hollymaster]

I’d think heater core or hoses to and from by where you have fluid leaking. Now if it was from the front center of the motor, I’d say water pump. 

[fish vacuum]

Hope it's something simple.

[Stein]

If it is spraying outside the engine, it should be something relatively easy.  As mentioned, water pump, hoses and possibly freeze plug.  That year also had problems with the head castings, but that doesn't sound similar to what you mentioned.

[JimmyHoffa]

Did you find the gremlin yet?  On the plus side, that is a forgiving engine/vehicle to work on--especially for coolant related issues.

[lokidog]

Did you find the gremlin yet?  On the plus side, that is a forgiving engine/vehicle to work on--especially for coolant related issues.

I have not, just started it for a bit today, engine compartment dried out, but there might not be enough coolant in it to do anything.  I'll probably walk down to where it is and add some coolant, or just water to begin with and limp it home tomorrow.

[Crunchy]

Another vote for heater core.

[winshooter88]

If the heater core had gone bad it would be leaking mostly inside the passenger compartment, it is most likely a heater hose or water valve. It could also be a freeze plug but if regular cooling system maintainance has been done it is not the first place that I would look.

[JKEEN33]

These have a goofy plastic snap on connection from the heater hose to the heater core. Mine cracked and lost water there. Takes a special tool to take them on and off. I cut the connection off the hose and hacksawed the end of the heater core connection off. Slipped the hose on and clamped over that. I was out pretty deep in the woods when it went bad and didn’t have the tool or hose to do the factory method. Still holding 8 years later.

[lokidog]

These have a goofy plastic snap on connection from the heater hose to the heater core. Mine cracked and lost water there. Takes a special tool to take them on and off. I cut the connection off the hose and hacksawed the end of the heater core connection off. Slipped the hose on and clamped over that. I was out pretty deep in the woods when it went bad and didn’t have the tool or hose to do the factory method. Still holding 8 years later.

I think I saw those fitting one one video I watched, have to have a tool that goes inside them to release or something.

[MacAttack]

Sounds like water pump...mine went out in a similar fashion...also replace the thermostat with it.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Heater core'd be leakin' on the floorboards, not in the engine compartment!!! 

[lokidog]

Heater core'd be leakin' on the floorboards, not in the engine compartment!!! 

 

Will be dragging it home tomorrow for a better look.

[lokidog]

Woohoo! Easy fix!  The heater core fitting broke on the engine side of the firewall. A piece of 1/2" copper tubing from the back of the truck and a couple of hose clamps will do the trick, at least for now since heat is actually nice sometimes....

That white plastic fitting has sure gotten soft. The other side is black plastic, seems odd they would be different. I'm thinking of just replacing both.

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[JKEEN33]

Woohoo! Easy fix!  The heater core fitting broke on the engine side of the firewall. A piece of 1/2" copper tubing from the back of the truck and a couple of hose clamps will do the trick, at least for now since heat is actually nice sometimes....

That white plastic fitting has sure gotten soft. The other side is black plastic, seems odd they would be different. I'm thinking of just replacing both.


Hey, I think someone mentioned that a few posts up.

If I had to do it again, I’d replace the hose. There is a knob on the end of the copper tube you have to cut off to get a hose to slide on if you use my fix. I was out in the woods when I did mine and didn’t have any option.
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[huntnfmly]

Good deal those type of easy fixes are always nice it makes up for the other type

[Buckmark]

Woohoo! Easy fix!  The heater core fitting broke on the engine side of the firewall. A piece of 1/2" copper tubing from the back of the truck and a couple of hose clamps will do the trick, at least for now since heat is actually nice sometimes....

That white plastic fitting has sure gotten soft. The other side is black plastic, seems odd they would be different. I'm thinking of just replacing both.

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Dorman products part #800-409 or 800-916 should fix you up, any parts house should have those in stock

[lokidog]

Thanks.  Is it odd that they are different?  As far as I can remember, I've never had any work done on them.  Also have to find the tool to release them I think.

[Buckmark]

Thanks.  Is it odd that they are different?  As far as I can remember, I've never had any work done on them.  Also have to find the tool to release them I think.

Nope,. if i remember the tubes are 2 different sizes, got to love better engineering with plastic 

[lokidog]

Thanks.  Is it odd that they are different?  As far as I can remember, I've never had any work done on them.  Also have to find the tool to release them I think.

Nope,. if i remember the tubes are 2 different sizes, got to love better engineering with plastic 

Just watched a video of exactly what I need, the white plastic one failed on that truck as well. I guess I need a 3/4" quick disconnect tool, I wonder if any of the auto parts stores will loan those out?

[JKEEN33]

The tool is cheap. I think around 5.00. I bought one expecting my other hose to break at some point, but never has. My white connector is the one that broke too.

[lokidog]

The tool is cheap. I think around 5.00. I bought one expecting my other hose to break at some point, but never has. My white connector is the one that broke too.

Seems like that is the one made out of the inferior plastic as all of the videos show it as the one being replaced.  Does that little tool push into the fitting or does it just compress the ring in the back?  I've got a tool to remove sharkbite plumbing fittings that I am going to try tomorrow. 

The one parts store in town that I talked to only has them as a set for about $10, still cheaper than having someone else do it. And, then I'll have the tool when the other two or three similar rigs blow their fittings and I can charge to fix it.      

[HntnFsh]

Don't think the one for shark bites will work. Believe it has to actually slide into the fitting.

[lokidog]

Don't think the one for shark bites will work. Believe it has to actually slide into the fitting.

That is the case, now I have a set of them....  ;-)

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