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Slow coolant leak in 00 4.7? Overflow empty?

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Thunderknight

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a 2000 Durango 4.7L. About 2 months ago I had a big puddle of coolant on the driveway and a lot under the hood one morning?took a quick look and everything seemed okay, so I took it my local shop. It ended up being a loose clamp that I didn't notice. They tightened it, refilled and I was good to go (and being a good shop, only charged me $15)

The last few days I noticed a *slight* smell of coolant around the truck. Today when I got home (truck had been running for about an hour), I refilled the washer fluid. I noticed the smell again, and it was very wet under the hood. I felt/sniffed a few spots and I think it was water. It's snowing very hard out and high winds and there was some snow under the hood, so I'm guessing it was just snow blowing in along the battery and fuse box that melted.

I pulled the overflow cap on the overflow tank, and I could see some coolant way down, but the dip stick was dry. Should there be coolant in that tank when the engine is warm? I believe the answer is yes, and it'd receed when the engine cools.

Temperature gauge has been normal through all of this.

So I need some advice here?if there should be coolant in there, then I do have some type of leak. My wife needs the truck early in the AM tomorrow (in the foot of snow forecast by then), so my immedidate answer would be to refill the tank for now (how much?) until the weather improves and I can search for the (slow I'm guessing) leak.

What coolant type is safe in a 2000 4.7. I've seen various posts on here about coolant types, including that the Prestone 50/50 mix is now "all coolant" compatible.

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
The 2000 used green ethylene glycol antifreeze, although the Prestone yellow will work.

There should be coolant in the overflow and when hot should be near the top holes on the dipstick.

You may have a leak, but when you mechanic tightened the losse clamp for $15, he may not have added any coolant to the overflow tank.

Fill the tank and monitor the coolant level over time. Your wife should be able to use the D tomorrow.
 
#3 ·
Clean the engine compartment VERY well? it doesn't take much to "smell" like coolant? but catching a whiff is a good early warning?

If the system wasn't burped after the last fix then the low level in the bottle could just be from refilling the system?
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Update: I did refill the overflow to the top of the holes. Checked it a few days later and it was down again. Last weekend when it was nice out, I did some probing. Found the problem (I hope)?the middle assembly where the radiator cap goes. One of the plastic collars that goes from the center to towards the engine was cracked. So the hose wasn't fitting tightly. I hose clamped it best I could and called up the dealer Monday. It's an assemly, the center piece plus the 2 upper hoses for $48. My wife picked it up for me today, I'm going to try to change it tomorrow night.

What I'm wondering though?it came with a new radiator cap that's rated 21 PSI?my old one was 18 lbs. Should I worry about the 3 PSI difference?

And the new one came with a long spring through the middle of the hoses that's loose. Is that just for shipping protection, or is that left in there to keep the hose from collapsing? I'm worried if I leave it in, it might move past the end of the hose in the fluid flow.
 

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#5 ·
NO

My 01 is a 21 lb as well it should be for a 4.7
That's a very commomn failure on that hose just ask Big Rick and Indy!
Once I saw there post I went and bought one.
Now after you refill coolant system don't for get to Burp that baby!

Put hose in
remove cap
loosen allen head plug from hose mount
Pour antifreeze into hose fill
Run D with front end slightly up in the air (trust me )
keep putting in AF into until full
close cap
remove allen head plug and the D will literally Burp thru that plug
If you don't do this the D will overheat.
Good luck
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#7 ·
TES

THE SPRING STAYS I AGREE!
It keeps the hode from collapsing
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#8 ·
Spring stays, your system should be a whole lot better after this fix.
 
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#10 ·
That post should be combined with Big Ricks and Called the Indy and Big Rick Radiatir Hose Drama series!
Special Note to all with that hose
REPLACE THAT UPPER HOSE ASSEMBLY EVERY 2 YEARS!
Steve
DOC Pres
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Well I was hoping my temp reseating of the hose would last until this weekend so I could do this in the daylight, but no such luck. I popped the hood when I got home from work and there was a tiny little stream of coolant spraying out from the cracked area. It'll be dark by the time it cools off, so I'll be setting up the work lights.

When I jack the front end and add coolant to the upper hose, am I waiting until the temp goes up to 180 before trying to burp it?

Thanks for advice everyone. Luckily in all of this, my temp gauge has never creeped?
 
#13 ·
No

Just Burp it as you fill it.
You don't need to wait
Remember the drain on Rad is only 1/4 turn
You only need to take out a small amount to do upper hose

Steve
DOC Pres
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Update?

I got the new hose assembly installed. Installing it was easy, removing the old was a lot harder?it was very stiff. There was basically no coolant in the upper hose. It was the same way the other day when I checked it?at that time I added coolant to the reservior because I thought I wasn't supposed to add it directly to the cap. Obviously coolant is making it through that hose though since it was leaking out of there when it was hot!

Then I tried to remove the vent plug?no luck. All I had to fit it was an allen wrench, and it wouldn't budge. I tried some stuff, but couldn't get enough leverage. I don't have a 8mm hex head adapter for my ratchet. I'll have to get one tomorrow so I can get more leverage on it. I was afraid to use any chemical agents on it, for fear of contaiminating the coolant.

I did fill the upper hose via the cap and jacked the front end up a bit. Then I started the truck. After about 1 minute, the coolant started to rise and spill over. I shut the truck off, figuring I had enough of a mess under there! :) I'm assuming it went up instead of burping and going down because I still had the vent plug in. I decided to put the cap back on and try it again. I restarted the truck and let it warm up. It was very chilly out, so I gave up after about 10 minutes, but it was getting close to operating temperature. I plan to take it for a short spin now to make sure it doesn't overheat. I also added some coolant to the tank to bring it up to a normal level.

Considering I had no fluid in the upper hose, I'm hoping I'm in better shape than I was before I started. But I do plan to get the adapter and hopefully be able to get the vent plug out so I can burp it.

On the positive side, I had the parking lights on so I could see the temp gauge while it was warming up. I was wandering around the truck and noticed the license plate light was out?better get that changed.

I'll update after I get the vent plug out (if I can)

Edit: I took it on a ~10 mile drive, temp stayed at normal.
 
#16 ·
LOL, Indy! (OK, so I wanna be a 5.9 too? but at least I'm CLOSE!)

Holy crap? Reading this thread has made me realize- With 70-something thousand miles and almost eight years on her, Shmoop's still running on the OEM hoses! Guess I know what I'm doing this weekend.

On a (possibly) related note, does anyone have a possible explanation as to why I can smell what smells like antifreeze when the AC is running? No loss of coolant or AC performance, but the sickly-sweet smell is bad enough that I don't use the AC unless I *have* to. And yes, the smell is definitely coming thru the vents, but oddly, no stronger if I turn the fan up- It's always just there enough when the AC is on to be annoying.
 
#17 ·
OUCH

Sounds like your heater core is leaking Rob.
That's a fun repair
Check where the AC Drains for Antifreeze residue
Run the Ac for a bit and catch what comes out of drain hole and see if has any AF in it if it does Heater core is leaking
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#18 ·
well

IndyDurango said:
You guys and your 4.7, burbing, plactic intake, wanna be 5.9s. LOL :cheesy:

IndyDurango
Click to expand...
Well at least we'll never complain of our belly pan leaking!
Or some governor(pressure solenoid) telling us when to shift or if my neck (thermostat) is weaping!

To me burping sounds like a manly thing compared to those!
Steve
DOC Pres
 
#19 ·
"Heater core"? I'm in freakin' Hawaii- What do I need a heater core for?
lol?

Steve, that's the answer I'd suspected, but really could've lived a long and happy life NOT hearing.

Are you talking tiny little drips of coolant in the AC drainage? Because I've noticed ZERO loss of coolant, and I do run the AC fairly often?

But whatever that case, I refuse to "Rub the Ac for a bit and catch hat comes out." You've met Jen- You know she won't stand for those kind of shennanigans! :)

My belly pan leaks now & then, but that's why I keep a good book in the bathroom- oh, nevermind.
 
#20 ·
In your case Rob I wouldn't dissassemble the heater core but simply by pass it and see if smell goes away!! :cheesy:
If it does fix it or not.
Have fun with your Belly Pan
Steve
DOC Pres
 
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