Desperately Need Help! Extreme coolant leak!

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73c20jim

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I worked with a guy who never before did anything mechanical.

"How much for an oil change?"

"too much! I'll do it myself. How hard can it be?

"let's see, drain oil, check. Replace plug, check.

"Put in the oil, check, see I did it I'm proud of myself.

Drove it for a while, engine seized, transmission trouble

He drained motor oil from engine and overfilled the transmission with motor oil.

No problem. Anyone can fix cars.
 

gotyourgoat

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Why won't you help me with my squarebody tranny on a 72!?!?!!!!!?!


Oh wait it's cause you guys are awesome and I'm a dousch.
Or something like that. wink wink nudge nudge..;)
Is this another thread where we solve the problem but the OP never shows up again so we never find out whether it was for real?
 

Big Chip

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Why won't you help me with my squarebody tranny on a 72!?!?!!!!!?!


Oh wait it's cause you guys are awesome and I'm a dousch.
Or something like that. wink wink nudge nudge..;)
Haha! I assume you’re talking about Marvin or Melvin or whatever that dudes name is?
 

CaliDude76

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Wanna say that's just the water pump leaking. Real easy to replace.


Who loosened the bolt?

Right?? I'm sure I wasn't the only one to see that.
 

CaliDude76

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:popcorn:

Enjoying this entire thread
Fresh fish on the line!!

The brother with the water leaking....read and learn from these boys

This place is a wealth of knowledge
 

emtrichel

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Hope not. He oughta be back.

I'm back! Forgive my absence, been on the road!

So, water pump is installed, coolant leak is completely gone (couple drips under the truck, assuming from residual coolant on the frame). Yes, I did check the wrong dipstick! Rookie move, I know. But the oil dipstick was also not where it was located in another picture on this thread - it took some finding. Found it, checked it cold and it appeared empty. Running, it looked plenty full.

Also, while running there was smoke coming from the left side of the motor as you look at it (alternator side) and a pretty odd clanking coming from the P/S pump (I'm thinking I need to tighten the belts some.)

Next step, bleed air from coolant system and tighten belts and she should be good to go unless someone on here has anything they want to add (I seriously welcome it, you all have been outstanding, thank you!)

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Arkansas_V8

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I'm back! Forgive my absence, been on the road!

So, water pump is installed, coolant leak is completely gone (couple drips under the truck, assuming from residual coolant on the frame). Yes, I did check the wrong dipstick! Rookie move, I know. But the oil dipstick was also not where it was located in another picture on this thread - it took some finding. Found it, checked it cold and it appeared empty. Running, it looked plenty full.

Also, while running there was smoke coming from the left side of the motor as you look at it (alternator side) and a pretty odd clanking coming from the P/S pump (I'm thinking I need to tighten the belts some.)

Next step, bleed air from coolant system and tighten belts and she should be good to go unless someone on here has anything they want to add (I seriously welcome it, you all have been outstanding, thank you!)

You must be registered for see images attach

Tighten some belts, bleed it, smoke could be a few things.

Residual tranny fluid from when you checked it could be the smoke.

Make sure you have all your power steering pump bolts. 3 total.

Glad your on the way to a happy truck!


We will address that intake leak, and a few others another day.
 
Last edited:

emtrichel

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Tighten some belts, bleed it, smoke could be a million things.

Residual tranny fluid from when you checked it could be the smoke.

Make sure you have all your power steering pump bolts. 3 total.

Glad your on the way to a happy truck!

Well there's another missing bolt - was only two on P/S when I pulled it off.. dude who had this truck before me really didn't care about it. I'm learning that with every minute under the hood.
 

Arkansas_V8

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Well there's another missing bolt - was only two on P/S when I pulled it off.. dude who had this truck before me really didn't care about it. I'm learning that with every minute under the hood.


Best way to learn. I am learning how to help someone very green to mechanics.

We are all getting a learning experience, and are definitely all here to help you.


Power steering pump- one on each side, and one underneath.
 

Arkansas_V8

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I'm back! Forgive my absence, been on the road!

So, water pump is installed, coolant leak is completely gone (couple drips under the truck, assuming from residual coolant on the frame). Yes, I did check the wrong dipstick! Rookie move, I know. But the oil dipstick was also not where it was located in another picture on this thread - it took some finding. Found it, checked it cold and it appeared empty. Running, it looked plenty full.

Also, while running there was smoke coming from the left side of the motor as you look at it (alternator side) and a pretty odd clanking coming from the P/S pump (I'm thinking I need to tighten the belts some.)

Next step, bleed air from coolant system and tighten belts and she should be good to go unless someone on here has anything they want to add (I seriously welcome it, you all have been outstanding, thank you!)

You must be registered for see images attach


Oil should not be empty when cold, does not just appear when running. You have a dipstick that is too short.
 

Dutch Rutter

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Oil should not be empty when cold, does not just appear when running. You have a dipstick that is too short.

Possible the dip stick end broke off, tube isnt seated into the block fully, changed out with some aftermarket piece that isn't the right length, or just plain low on oil, OP says checking with motor running, you only check a trans with it running. Engine oil only gets checked when warm and off. Can't over look the small details :shrug:
 

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