04 5.3 Using Water
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Jackson, TN
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
04 5.3 Using Water
Hey Guys,
Got a problem with our 04 5.3. Has about 92k miles.
Noticed that it's been using water. Can't see it in the oil, but can smell it in the exhaust. Seems to run fine, so I don't think it's a headgasket.
What else could it be? Cracked Head? Warped Valve?
Would really like to figure out to see which side is bad so I don't have to tear the whole thing down.
Thanks A Lot!
Got a problem with our 04 5.3. Has about 92k miles.
Noticed that it's been using water. Can't see it in the oil, but can smell it in the exhaust. Seems to run fine, so I don't think it's a headgasket.
What else could it be? Cracked Head? Warped Valve?
Would really like to figure out to see which side is bad so I don't have to tear the whole thing down.
Thanks A Lot!
#6
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: South Georgia
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
presure test it, check everywhere you can see.... If still nothing, pull your valve covers off. check around the interior head bolt holes... should have a "clean" area if head is cracked
Trending Topics
#8
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Leaking coolant isn't all that bad, but you said you can "smell it in the exhaust". That's is the most disconcerting part. Time for a leakdown. You can do a compression(Dry then Wet), but you're probably going to end up doing the leakdown anyway. It might be the head gasket on one side so all that has to come off is the intake and that single head. Good time to do a cam upgrade. I have a 99 5.3 with 90K on the clock, but I don't expect to pull those heads back off till I hit more that 200K. I put my top end together years ago when the truck new. It's bullet proof.