I have a 1999 Dodge ram 1500 5.2. I had a post a week back didnt so I am going to re post my problem. '

I replaced the water pump and hoses about 6 to 8 months ago. Then replaced the radiator with a new one. It started to smell somewhat like it was hot but my gauge shows me in the 192 to maybe 200 range in temps but it hasnt even hit the half way point or has been overheated. I am loosing I would say around the size of a antifreeze bottle amount of water every couple of days. The only thing I found was it would drip sometimes in the front where the water pump would do this but then I have checked and it wasn't leaking. I have also pulled the carpet up on the passenger side and push the mat below but it doesn't seem wet either. I did find a tiny bit of water in the oil about the size of a eraser on a pencil. I mean very little. I drained the oil and didn't see any signs of oil being milky or having water in it. The only thing I havent changed is the Thermostat but I would think that if it was leaking there, it would be obvious?

When you are loosing the reservoir worth of water every couple of days concerns me. I fill it up and two days later its empty. Someone told me that the head gasket could be leaking on the exhaust side and that why I dont see anything . Does that make sense?

I am starting to question that maybe there a leak in the shaft of the water pump but wouldn't it be steady leak? I'm at a loss here. Thought I had it whooped but now I can smell that hot smell but again it says it below the half way mark. Anyone have any ideas or have went through this before?

 

Couple possible culprits would be:

bypass hose from water pump to intake.
thermostat housing leaking onto top of timing cover.
timing cover itself leaking.
freeze plugs behind motor mounts.
other hose connections......
weep hole on water pump. (cleverly concealed behind pulley.)

and a few other places I can't think of at the moment. Not all of them will allow the coolant to hit the ground before it evaporates. Some will only leak while the engine is fully warmed, and under load. Of course, it might be as simple as a crack in the overflow reservoir, or hose going to it as well.

 

Thanks, Im looking every place I can. driving me crazy.

 

I changed the water pump in 2008 and just had to do it again. I was losing antifreeze, but not as much as you. I finally was able to trouble shoot it by following the drips on the driveway up, wiping off, starting and watching. Then, paper towels in specific places. Found a small leak in several places - weep hole, by pass house at intake, thermostate hose. The hose leeks were caused by the clamps, replaced them and the water pump, no leaks. Sometimes Murphy's law is your constant companion (I know).

 

I had the same problem as you, except I'd loose all my water in 24 hours. What was happening was the thermostat, which had been fine since I put it in 3 months ago, was sticking shut, forcing water out of the overflow when I was driving. Replaced the T-Stat, and that was that.

 

Try replacing the hose clamps with screw on kind. I had a similar problem after I put in the new radiator

 

Its weird that I didn't see any water in the oil but yet again, I am seeing what seems like a lot of white ( water) on the stick when I pull it out. Im thinking of just keeping a eye on the oil and keep it changed till income tax and just go ahead and tear the motor down and replace all the gaskets. this motor only has 130,000 miles on it. we maybe if lucky if we put 10,000 miles a year on it. I just cant do anything till then but don't want to loose this motor either. I know a small amount of water can make it look worse thean it may be but there has to be a reason for why its on the stick. what you guys think?

 

Bad news, you have a head gasket that is starting to go out. The engine compression is leaking into the cooling system at the head, forcing water out of the reservoir overflow while you are driving, thus no puddles in the driveway. There are tests with a radiator cap looking thing that can prove this. On lower RPM's where vacuum is greatest, a tiny bit of water is sucked into the oil side & showing up on your dipstick. I hope for the sake of your wallet I am wrong, but I think this is what you are looking at.

 

I'm not going to even question it at this point but try to baby it till income tax. Since its not running hot or even up to the half mark on the gauge. The heads should be fine. Unfortunately being unemployed has me on a very tight budget. I get side work but that all goes to bills. That`s why I am crossing fingers till income tax time. I may look into since I am tearing down the motor, maybe looking into having someone rebuild it. I am thinking it would save on cost. I am going to look into kits and read more about it. IM not mad, its been a good truck to me

 

Well changing the thermostat yourself costs about $15, and a few cursewords if it dosn't fix it.

EDIT: NVM, just saw the water thingy.