I am getting a low coolant light almost once every two weeks now and I am getting pretty concerned. here is the issue:

Welp, just installed an Aurora 5000 about a month ago and had to block off the stock coolant lines for the stock VVT, however they seem to not leak
There is steam coming from the engine when it warms up some times that smells like maple syrup (coolant clearly). It is being emitted from somewhere between the firewall and the massive A5000 4" down pipe (cant see much around it cause it is so damn big). I also have noticed drip marks on the firewall material right below the left heater core lines going into the cab.

I have looked all around the engine for obvious leaks and can not find any.

the real issue is that we are leaving for a road trip from Upstate NY to FL on wednesday and am now having second thoughts.

Also I have done the upper rad hose test, and sometimes it is hard but I can still squeeze it down half way, and when I open the coolant res. after the truck has warmed up the coolant will rise, is this normal? are there any other for sure tests I can do? I plan on changing the oil tomorrow just in case there is water in it.

this is probably me just having a late night panic attack, but I thought I would ask the experts...

Pressure test the system and see where its coming from. Check the heater fittings at the firewall, they sometimes leak. It could be dripping onto the downpipe when hot causing the steam.

Pressure test the system and see where its coming from. Check the heater fittings at the firewall, they sometimes leak. It could be dripping onto the downpipe when hot causing the steam.

thats what I was hoping to be the issue (as I understand it coolant evaporates pretty quickly), ill see if I can pressure test it tomorrow

Yea I second the pressure test. When mine went it was obvious because it was pushing the fluid out the overflow but the dealer still did the pressure test to make sure.

i dont think I have any overflow, I will look today

Definetly do the pressure test.

could also use a dye in the coolant and UV light to find it...

Let the truck cool down over night. In the morning open the coolant fill cap. If it decompresses, your head gasket is bad. Mines in the shop right now for the same thing. The dye thing doesn’t always work. It detects exhaust gasses in the coolant. If you’ve been adding coolant it will dilute the sample. The dealer tested mine and it came out negative. But they said the only way to get bubbles in the coolant is a blown gasket. Sure enough, when they torn it down the head gasket was bad.

BigDmax the dye stuff i was referring to is like a dye penetrant, it will leak out wherever the coolant is leaking and the UV light makes it glow in the dark so the leak is essentially illuminated. i agree on the bubbles in the coolant. any white smoke on start up? that is also a clear indication of bad HG or cracked/warped head.

BigDmax the dye stuff i was referring to is like a dye penetrant, it will leak out wherever the coolant is leaking and the UV light makes it glow in the dark so the leak is essentially illuminated. i agree on the bubbles in the coolant. any white smoke on start up? that is also a clear indication of bad HG or cracked/warped head.


Ahh..I got ya. That's a good idea too.