Coolant level slowly drops over time

[rlu_tech]

I noticed that my coolant level drops in the degas bottle very slowly over time. maybe an 1/8" over 1000 miles. I don't see any external leaks. When I deleted my EGR, I welded two plugs in the original EGR cooler inlet and outlets to block exhaust flow. Is it possible for the cooler to still be leaking inside and filling up the cavity with coolant? I never get any smoke from the tailpipe nor do I get any coolant escaping thru the rad. cap like you would for head gaskets.

[southend]

Yes it's possible, but your head gaskets could be leaking also and you won't necessarily see steam, until it gets worse.

Sent from my phone that somebody didn't help me get.

[PGreenSVT]

Originally Posted by southend

Yes it's possible, but your head gaskets could be leaking also and you won't necessarily see steam, until it gets worse.

Sent from my phone that somebody didn't help me get.

Yep, I agree. Leaking that small amount wouldn't be blowing anything other than an almost invisible haze if that. I would suspect a head gasket but that little bit wouldn't be much of a drip from a hose when under pressure and when not running and not under pressure not leak so you wouldn't necessarily see a spot. It could also be a small crack developing in one of the heads too.

[rlu_tech]

So, If I don't find any leaks, would you say just keep an eye on it till it starts to get worse? It just drives me nuts because I'm so paranoid about the heads/gaskets failing. I just put a new oil cooler and ELC in it about 7,000 miles ago when I got the truck. Its got 147,000 miles on it and original head gaskets and bolts as far as I know.

[Term3]

Also possible is that the cooler has developed a leak which is coming out a porous weld on that plug you put in.

[rlu_tech]

Yea I suppose that is true too Term3. I used two plugs that were 3/16" thick to block off the EGR cooler. My deltas are within spec and the truck has factory tuning and never does really any towing. I'm hoping that it doesnt get any worse, or maybe even the EGR cooler will eventually fill up internally and will stop dropping the degas level. FINGERS CROSSED...

[Term3]

I'm thinking that your cooler is already mostly full and every time the coolant pressure becomes more then the exhaust pressure you are loosing coolant thru a small hole that is in the weld you made for the plug install.


Term3