HELP! Losing A LOT of Coolant!

[400exrider]

I have put about two gallons of coolant (50/50 mixture) within the last two or three weeks. So hear is the story.....I was going to the beach so I figured I would check everything. Well I had to add a whole gallon of coolant. I drove to the beach 5 hrs both ways and some more while i was down there. Got home and it was a little low. One day this week I put about 3/4 gallon of coolant in. Then I went on a trip pulling a twenty foot enclosed and my ECT's where around 207 normally, sometimes it went up to 214. The trip was about a 5 hour round trip. I add the rest of the gallon while I was gone, and now I'm back. Now it has no coolant in the resevoir. I have noticed that my ECT will rise pretty quickly, but I guess that could be from towing. It does look like it has been pucking some from around the cap. What could be wrong with this thing???? What can I do to find out whats wrong??? Is it failing head gaskets, something bad with the egr cooler, bad radiator cap?

Someone told me to have it pressure checked. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[05powerstroke38/24s]

probaly the gaskets are going out

[400exrider]

What can I do to determine if the gaskets are going out? or do I have to take it to a shop?

Is it safe to drive for a while as long as I keep it topped off on coolant? It doesnt seem like there is any water or coolant in my oil.

[mudrunninpig]

pull your egr valve. if it is wet. your cooler is shot

[400exrider]

When is the best time to pull it to see if it is wet? While it's hot, or after it has cooled completely down? Wouldnt it evaporate because of the heat? Or does it even matter when I pull it? I'm not real familiar with how everything works but I do know where the EGR valve is. I'll try to pull it out this afternoon.

Also, a quick note, I just put the truck back to stock and got in it to drive and it spit and sputtered and blew white smoke till it got up to about 135 or so. It also didnt have any and I mean any power until it got up to 135. It doesnt do it when I have it on extreme street. Could this be a symptom of head gaskets, cooler, or is it bad glow plugs?

[mudrunninpig]

I would pull the egr vave when its cold, its easier to work on, and you wont get burned by the motor

[400exrider]

I tried pulling the egr valve today and it was a no go. I started it up and let it run for a few seconds so it would have a chance to get wet. I tried everything I could to get it out. I even made my own slide hammer out of a wheel puller and a dent puller. I turned it slightly and tried to get it out. I started bending the ears so I just stopped and bolted it back in.

[DunesRunner08]

get studs and an EGR delete and you will be good to go.... cure the problem instantly

[400exrider]

I have came to the conclusion thats what I am going to have to do. I really think it is the egr cooler from the symptoms, but I am tired of worrying about blowing head gaskets. It sucks cause my warranty just ran out 6,000 miles ago. I called a guy yesterday about installing head studs and he priced it at $1800 for arp studs, labor, etc. He also priced doing an egr delete for $800, I am sure it would be cheaper if he did it when he had the cab off. I figured that was a pretty good deal.

[mudrunninpig]

the egr valve is a pain to get out, ya just have to work at it for a while. it will eventually come out