atalarico
Senior Member
So, I had a shop flush and fill my coolant a few months back after noticing that the reservoir was pretty much dry. I had a nice tax return and decided to pay someone else to do it "right". I was terrible and neglected to check it for the first two years of owning my truck because I didn't think it was that important, and it seemed intimidating to do. I definitely know better now.
Annnnyway, I was poking around under the hood a few days ago and checked it. It was low again. It wasn't empty, just a little above the L line. A few flags went off. First, I noticed a very distinct burning coolant smell after the last time I changed my oil. Normally, I smell some burning oil because I always spill a little somewhere in the engine compartment.
Second, there was what looked like dirt or sand sludge in the coolant reservoir. It definitely doesn't look great. I made sure the shop put in a chameleon coolant, so I could add whatever down the road. I don't think it's pink slime as the result of mixing two types of coolant.
I do not have any overheating problems. I did notice towards the end of winter last year that my heater wasn't as effective as it used to be. It still gives me warm air, but it's really sensitive on the slider.
I have definitely driven through some big puddles and some mud since I got it changed. I am wondering/hoping if it's something as innocent as those yahoos forgot to put the lid on tight. If the lid on the reservoir wasn't secured, and coolant was sloshing around, it would probably have given me that burning smell? It would also make sense in regards to the dirt/mud getting into the reservoir, right?
Again, that is my best case scenario/hope. Anyone encountered this before? Any suggestions on things I should check? I have been reading other threads and the following are also possibilities...costly and expensive possibilities:
Head gasket leak
An issue with the heater core
Cracked rad
Ideas?
Annnnyway, I was poking around under the hood a few days ago and checked it. It was low again. It wasn't empty, just a little above the L line. A few flags went off. First, I noticed a very distinct burning coolant smell after the last time I changed my oil. Normally, I smell some burning oil because I always spill a little somewhere in the engine compartment.
Second, there was what looked like dirt or sand sludge in the coolant reservoir. It definitely doesn't look great. I made sure the shop put in a chameleon coolant, so I could add whatever down the road. I don't think it's pink slime as the result of mixing two types of coolant.
I do not have any overheating problems. I did notice towards the end of winter last year that my heater wasn't as effective as it used to be. It still gives me warm air, but it's really sensitive on the slider.
I have definitely driven through some big puddles and some mud since I got it changed. I am wondering/hoping if it's something as innocent as those yahoos forgot to put the lid on tight. If the lid on the reservoir wasn't secured, and coolant was sloshing around, it would probably have given me that burning smell? It would also make sense in regards to the dirt/mud getting into the reservoir, right?
Again, that is my best case scenario/hope. Anyone encountered this before? Any suggestions on things I should check? I have been reading other threads and the following are also possibilities...costly and expensive possibilities:
Head gasket leak
An issue with the heater core
Cracked rad
Ideas?
