Anyone losing coolant out of the Coolant Tank?

[Tinker219]

Since early January and 16,000 miles, I have towed roughly 15,000 miles putting my mileage at 31,000 miles. I rarely drive my truck except for towing.

Around 10,000 miles ago I began to notice the coolant level dropping ever-so-slightly. I immediately pulled my SCT and have not replaced it since then, but my coolant condition has gotten worse.

I took the truck to the dealer last week and they replaced the coolant tank and cap under Warranty, through a TSB. They performed a coolant system pressure test and found the coolant tank was flawed from the factory around the radiator cap. They replaced and performed another test. NO cross-contamination was found and pressure was well within factory specs.

All indications were good that the problem was solved until I towed ANOTHER 500 miles yesturday through 90 degree heat. Once again, I noticed the tell-tale sign of coolant expulsion because the driver's side of my trailer became a giant coolant-slick. I topped it off(down 2 liters on coolant), and it seemed to hold steady for the rest of the trip.

Recap:

Truck does NOT overheat;
Truck runs GREAT;
Truck ejects coolant only when towing an 8,000 lb load(about the only time I drive my truck).

Has this happened to you? What was done to rectify the situation?

[jphelzer]

It's a pretty common issue. Try searching to "puking", as that's what it's been called around here.

I recall that there was a TSB that added a sticker to the coolant tank, lowering the "MIN" to about an inch below its stock location. If it was over that, it would "puke" when it got warm...

[jphelzer]

Here's one:
puking antifreeze after the second day of ownership

[Tinker219]

The coolant bottle can be completely empty and STILL eject coolant. The entire engine bay looks like someone sprayed it with coolant and all trajectory marks indicate the coolant cap as the point of origin.

The TSB has been performed in reguards to the sticker AND a new coolant bottle last week. I'd take it to the dealer again, but they were out of ideas on this one as it was. This is my only vehicle right now so I can't afford more than a few days downtime.

Thanks for the help,

Cody

[mendo069]

sounds like head gasket under pressure while towing... try head gasket test with color change dye....

[Tinker219]

I'll recommend it when I take the truck in sometime this week. Thanks guys...