low coolant mystery

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Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Threads
15
Messages
89
Location
Lynchburg, VA
Ok, trying to get all my ducks in a row before I really dive into this. The other week I noticed I had low coolant in the expansion tank and no visible coolant in radiator. Had never noticed it before, but it was during a period of very cold temperatures and I had left the vehicle outside for a few days. Thought maybe it had developed a leak somewhere or maybe it was something I had over looked. I filled the expansion tank up and topped off the radiator (didn't take much). Yesterday I took a longer trip than normal and brought it in garage and could smell what I thought maybe was burnt coolant. Checked coolant and sure enough it was back down to low. I plan on diving into it this weekend, but its on my mind so thought I would ask people that know much more than me. I cannot find any noticeable leaks (only thing I have ever seen is some weeping on the back of the engine/transmission area that I saw when I did a diff drop recently), the oil looks fine - no chocolate milk. The radiator has been replaced at some time before I purchased and the timing belt has been done, heater Ts have been done and look good. So where should I be looking for issues or checking for leaks? What could potentially cause this much coolant to disappear with no drips or leaks visible? Does it mean its leaking onto motor and burning off immediately? Have not seen the temps go above nominal. Thanks in advance!
 
If you saw coolant on the back of the engine/transmission area when you did the diff drop, it could be the rear heater bypass coolant connection. The leak would be on top of the engine but drip down.

When I was installing skid plates I found this.....
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Traced it down to the bypass on top of the engine. Coolant bypass is just behind the intake manifold.
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Hard to see from my picture but can see red/orange crusted up by the hard pipe. Cruiser Patch has a good picture on their website.

The leak I have is very slow. Never forms a puddle on the ground. So slow, I still haven't fixed it. Need to get on that. HA. Maybe loose about a cup of coolant over 6 months. Scan Gauge temp is always between 184-192F.
 
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