What is this leak?

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Coolant could mix with your engine oil (really bad) but you'd easily see that by pulling your dipstick. Your oil wouldn't look like oil anymore. More like chocolate/strawberry milkshake, but not nearly as tasty. And your oil level would probably read way over full.

The pic you posted looks pink/red. I still believe it's coolant. Please post what you find from the dealership.
 
I'll definitely provide an update once I find out. Sounding like from what you guys are postulating so far that the water pump must have taken a dump since it wasn't replaced.
 
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Coolant was below the FULL line but well above the MIN line even with the truck hot (when there would be less coolant in the tank).

Not sure what it is, and not even sure if I'll find out today as the service department might not even be open due to the holiday.
 
Coolant is highest (in reservoir) when hot...lowest when your engine is cold. I'd check it in the morning when cold and I envision it is low.

I'm surprised to hear the WP is that far forward on the LC? Or is the coolant leak following a line/seam?
 
splacek007 said:
Coolant is highest (in reservoir) when hot...lowest when your engine is cold. I'd check it in the morning when cold and I envision it is low.

I'm surprised to hear the WP is that far forward on the LC? Or is the coolant leak following a line/seam?
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My thoughts as well. Maybe they cracked your radiator during the tb swap.
 
Are you guys sure about that? I've had numerous vehicles where the expansion tank specifically says "FULL (COLD)". And sure enough, the level has always been higher after the car has sat all night. I always thought that made sense since at the engine's hottest point there would be more coolant flowing through it than left in the tank, especially after the thermostat has opened.

I don't profess to be as mechanically inclined as most of you guys so maybe it is the other way around, but that's the way I've always understood it.
 
playdrv4me said:
Are you guys sure about that? I've had numerous vehicles where the expansion tank specifically says "FULL (COLD)". And sure enough, the level has always been higher after the car has sat all night. I always thought that made sense since at the engine's hottest point there would be more coolant flowing through it than left in the tank, especially after the thermostat has opened.

I don't profess to be as mechanically inclined as most of you guys so maybe it is the other way around, but that's the way I've always understood it.
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I've never seen Full (Cold) and Low (Hot) on a coolant reservoir - I've only seen Full and Low.

When the radiator gets hot it pushes coolant into the reservoir (in a closed system), and when the engine cools the radiator siphons it back in. Also, when coolant is hot it expands in volume...these are the general principles anyway.

Are you sure it says "hot - full" - that sounds more like a transmission dipstick.
 
04UZJ100 said:
Am I the only one that thinks driving around a car with a "streaming" leak is a bad idea?
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No, but a short run to the dealer should be OK. Biggest issue is that the leakage will prevent the system from pressurizing as it gets hot. The higher pressure means a higher boiling point, so with an unsealed system your coolant boiling point will be much lower. Not a great idea to run a long way on a hot day in that state.
 
dfrelich said:
:-) Smell it. Just for reference, dip your finger in the coolant. Be sure to let it cool first.
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That would be inconclusive since the fluid has already traveled down across the block and belly pan mixing with whatever other drips have accumulated there over the years. For example gear oil from the differential has a very strong smell, even a small amount would overpower anything else.
 
Oh geez, yeah it was a short drive to the dealership and the temp needle never went past the midpoint. In fact, it stayed just below like it usually does. Truck has been sitting there a day and a half now. Hoping to get some answers tomorrow, and likely get hit with a bill I won't enjoy.

As for the reservoir level, I suppose that makes sense. The last vehicle I specifically remember seeing "Full Cold" on was my 2000 Expedition. And sure enough, after it sat overnight the level would just touch that mark. Another was my 2001 Seville STS... If you (carefully) opened the cap while the car was at operating temp, you would see no coolant sitting in the mouth of the surge tank. Check it after the engine is all the way cold and it would return to where it was just visible near the top of the tank (these tanks were black).
 
So apparently you were all correct, it was apparently coolant. A hose clamp either loosened or was left loose and was the source of the leak.
 
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