I have an 01 1/2 ton Suburban with the 5.3. Been leaking antifreeze from somewhere for a little while. Only enough to have to add some about once a week and then only a couple ounces. Came home tonight in the truck and saw a puddle under the Sub. Crawled under and started it up but cannot see where it is coming from. Could it be the water pump (http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=24&k=water%20pump)? does it have a weep hole? My neighbor, a mechanic, says that the DexCool eats the manifold gasket and causes it to leak. Is this true? If so shouldn't GM have a recall or something? Any help would be greatly appreciated.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Usually on the 5.3's it is the water pump gaskets thet leak, not the w/p itself. They can be purchased seperately, but some people want the pump replaced anyway due to mileage and already having the pump off. The 5.3 has a dry intake manifold, so the dreaded "intake gasket leak" doesn't affect them.

Thanks alot for the reply. I figure I will probably go ahead do the pump also. Because my luck, the day after I put it back together the pump would go out. I'm an aircraft mechanic and experience tells me that preventative maintenance is the best avenue. Thanks again.