having to add coolant every once in a while is a fact of life with a D/A, so i'm told...

the $tealer fixed a coolant leak about 3 months ago...coolant light came again yesterday...my question is: do i have to use dexcool, or is there a better alternative?...i was in wal-mart yesterday and saw lots of coolants...i don't MIND using dexcool, i just want to know about alternative...

any advice is VERY welcome...

hmm... i have oil problems but never coolant... i think that your stealer is like mine they hate helping anyone out they wanna do any work for you. Not sure about coolant but i bet cheaper stuff will work. You might wanna look for a new dealer, that is probably the best solution to your problem

I would use the properly spec'd out Long Life coolant in your Duramax. You should not have to add coolant as you describe ,"live with".

There is a leak some where and it should be corrected. I would find a better dealer ,better equipped in knowledge on coolant loss in your truck.

Perhaps if you provide further detail on your condition a tech or member may help you pinpoint the diagnostics.

thanks for the info...when i mentioned to the shop foreman that i had added coolant 4 times since i bought my d-max in feb 2004 he said that wasn't normal and that's when they "fixed" the leak


my d-max is due for an oil change in a bit, so i'll tell the shop foreman that i had to add coolant again...see what happens...they seem to be pretty good there...they sell only gmc trucks, and work on all kinds of diesels...replaced my injectors with no problem at all...

what specs does a coolant need for safe use in my d-max?

it dont matter what your using for coolant. Your going through it and that means a leak or something. Fix the problem. If your dealer wont do it, then find one that does before it turns into something worse.

If your dealer was that good, you wouldnt have had to add coolant 4 times after having it 'fixed'

actually it does matter about the type of coolant at this stage. You're under warranty, make sure you use Dexcool ! IF , for some reason they ever start looking for a reason not to fix your truck, they will come up with.. oh, you used a different coolant, therefore you caused the problem. Just a simple note that if it were me, Stick to the real deal so you have no problems till its fixed.

actually it does matter about the type of coolant at this stage. You're under warranty, make sure you use Dexcool ! IF , for some reason they ever start looking for a reason not to fix your truck, they will come up with.. oh, you used a different coolant, therefore you caused the problem. Just a simple note that if it were me, Stick to the real deal so you have no problems till its fixed.


Right :)

You got a leak somewhere. Last 4 Chevy trucks never had coolant added. Had one where the coolant light came on a few times but was sending false signals. If your dealer can't (won't) fix, contact GM directly. If you can't get it fixed being nice, become a SOB if necessary.

My daughters boy friend has an 01 that had some coolant related problems. I am posting his reply to my question as to what happened with his problem.
The first problem that I had with the pickup was

: There was coolant leaking through the injector sleeves into the cylinder.
This produced alot of white smoking coming out of the tail pipe. Gm replaced the sleeves and the white smoke stopped. The o-rings that are on the sleeves were damaged.

The problem that I am getting fixed now is.

There was a broken head bolt. Where the head bolt is placed there is a
coolant port that intersects the bolt hole. With the bolt being broke the
coolant could get by the bolt and into the cylinder. This leak was not big
enough to have white smoke come out the tail pipe but it was pressurizing
the coolant system with the cylinder gas. The truck was over heating.
Hope this helps
Bob

I think GM is doing this under warrentee as it appeared the broken bolt was from the original build.
Hutch

My daughters boy friend has an 01 that had some coolant related problems. I am posting his reply to my question as to what happened with his problem.
The first problem that I had with the pickup was

: There was coolant leaking through the injector sleeves into the cylinder.
This produced alot of white smoking coming out of the tail pipe. Gm replaced the sleeves and the white smoke stopped. The o-rings that are on the sleeves were damaged.

The problem that I am getting fixed now is.

There was a broken head bolt. Where the head bolt is placed there is a
coolant port that intersects the bolt hole. With the bolt being broke the
coolant could get by the bolt and into the cylinder. This leak was not big
enough to have white smoke come out the tail pipe but it was pressurizing
the coolant system with the cylinder gas. The truck was over heating.
Hope this helps
Bob

I think GM is doing this under warrentee as it appeared the broken bolt was from the original build.
HutchSounds like the dealer is blowing white smoke.

The o-rings on the tubes do nothing to keep coolant out of the cylinder, rather its the sealing area at the bottom of the pipe that does that.

The head bolts do not go through a coolant passage on these engines so broken bolt would have no effect in that way, but will lower clamping pressures.

Not busting on you, just the dealer that is giving you inaccurate info:)

My disappearing coolant act was cup seals on 3 cylinders. Got it fixed and never added another drop. :smashfrea on the dealer till he fixes it right.

I had an 89 Silverado (350 gas engine) that kept losing coolant. Turned out it had a cracked block. They replaced it (engine) after I complained long enough and loud enough.

i'm sorry i wasn't more clear at first...i bought my baby in feb 2004...from then until this past nov i added coolant 4 times...the $tealer found a leak during an oil/fuel filter service...the leak was fixed under warranty...the other day the "low coolant" lite came on...i went to the $tealer 2 days ago and bought more dexcool...will tell the foreman i've had to add coolant again...will keep the forum advised...

this forum is great, and i've gotten lots of good info here :thankyou2

Bad intake manifold gasket perhaps?? Probably would not show up as a puddle on the ground under your truck, but can leak out during operation. I may be wrong, but you have trouble somewhere for sure.