For the past week when I am dropping off my kid at daycare I shut my vehicle off and walk her in. After which I return to my truck and try to start it. Id just turns over without firing up. I have no problem starting it up first thing in the morning or after work. It is just that brief period when I take my daughter to daycare. Less than 5 minutes. It has just started doing this. I am quite puzzled at this and cannot come up with anything to go on. Another thing...where at the rear of the engine could I be leaking coolant from? I have read through the other coolant problem on here and addedmy experience to it but it showed up at the bottom of the thread so I don't know if any one will read it. So to repeat myself: I do not have cloudy oil, water pump looks OK...no leaks there. All hoses look dry and I good. No cracks or whatever. When cold I can see where the fluid collects beneath the cab as there is a rail connecting the two sides of the frame. I can not see a leak when the engine is at temp. I can smell it as I exit the vehicle, but I cannot hear any hissing or see any vapor. I have checked the engine as far as I am able to and do not see any leaking on the engine. But that may be because the hot enginecould be evaporating it(?) If it were a head gasket as was mentioned in the other coolant message, wouldn't I also have poor performance and rough idle?I have not added any additional coolant to the radiator yet, but will need to soon. Though it does make sense it could be from the upper engine itself since I can smell it, would it be best to add fluid and them get the engine to temp and try to locate it or is there an easier way to diagnose this issue? As for the pressure gauge...does it connect to the radiator in place of the cap? Am I listening for an air leak,or looking for dripping? If i am experiencing a bad head gasket, could this explain why I have troubles starting after a brief 5-minute period?

 

I forgot to add details of my Dakota:

1995 4x4 318 automatic

 

Don't know about the first problem, but I'd bet you're coolant leak is coming from a frost plug.

 

I think 95v8dakota4x4 meens is the freeze plugs. Ya it could be that maybe even a blown intake or head gasket. It doest alwayshave to have poorperformance to blow. just get the die that you add to your coolent and use the uv light to find out where the leak is,They sell the kits for $20 or so. as for it not starting it can be seval things. when you leave the day care how long untill it starts? Does the starter turn. Fast slow? When it does finnaly start does it struggle at first? does it die? Do you have to floor the peadal? We need more detail. My first thoughts would be a sticking relay.

 

More info...The truck sits shut off forless than5 minutes. The starter turns just fine. I can hear a couple relays click andI can hear the fuel pump prime. It does struggle once it catches. If I am not quick enough, it will die againand then I am working it to get it going again. Once I do get it going, it acts like it is about out of fuel. Once I get on the highway, everything is fine and it runs like itnever had a problem.But after work it doesn't do this nor in the morning. Fires right up with out any issues. Never messed with the gas pedal. As for the freeze plugs, where are they located? How many am I looking for? Are they expensive to replace?

 

Frost plugs, freeze plugs, core plugs, water jacket plugs, there are plenty of names for them. I don't remember if you can get individual plugs. You'll have to go underneath with a mirror and find out which one is leaking. There's at least 3 at the back of the motor. If one is leaking, you pretty much get to yank the motor out, you'll never be able to get the old one out and new one in with that little amount of room to work. Also, if you find one leaking, you may as well do them all because the others arenot far behind. Regardless it would not be a cheap job to have done at a shop. As for the way it runs, I don't know. That's the kind of problem you need to have the vehicle in front of you for to do any real diagnosis.

 

possibly fuel filter

 

Thanks for the info. Freeze plugs, huh? That makes sense since the leak seems to be in between the transmission and the engine. Sounds like a fun project. So a leaky plug...what causes it? They sound like strain relief of sorts. Is it common to have these pieces replaced or could something have caused it to go bad?

 

The plug sealingdoes tend to wear out over time and heat cycling. But it's something that's impossible to predict. The motor may pack it in before they ever start leaking, or they could start leaking with 100,000 on it. It's not a common problem, but it does happen. I had it happen on a 318 in a 1980 Power Ram. The chances of having leaks and gasket issues are greatly increased if you don't change the coolant regularly, however, since it does become mildly acidic over time and will start to eat metal and gaskets. That's why it's crucial to keep on top of coolant flushes.

 

Everyone...thanks for the input. I crawled under it earlier today and found the water pump has a good leak. I was driving it earlier this morning and my belt was squeaking something fierce. At first I thought it was the rainy weather. After I got back home, I jacked it up, opened the hood and found coolant sprayed everywhere! Like it squirted from the front and was sprayed by the fan. Just to make sure, I started the engine and I saw it was leaking near the pulley and the belt was throwing it everywhere. Quite a messy ordeal. I then went under the truck and found that the coolant was trailing down the engine and dripping off the oil pan. I hope this is good news. I have it scheduled to go into the shop later today for replacement. I am keeping my fingers crossed....thanks for all the help!