1998 Chevy Blazer coolant leak

HSOLOMON

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET BLAZER
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
211,000 MILES

My blazer began to run hot after coming off of the highway. I began to smell a chemical smell coming into the cabin of the vehicle and noticed white smoke coming from under the hood. The next day I noticed that the oil cap had blown off and the coolant had broken down into a rust colored mud. The oil level wasn't low as I had thought since the cap was missing. Anyway I went ahead and changed oil and it looked normal. Changed plugs, thermostat, return hose, bad vacum lines, and began to flush out old coolant. When running water through the radiator I began seeing water run on the ground from the front part of the engine it seemed(?) The weep hole on the water pump was dry and the radiator itself seemed ok. Where should I be looking for this leak? I can't tell where the water is leaking from because it looks like its dripping from everywhere at the bottom of the engine below the fan. Please help i'm clueless on what to do next. Thank you.

1 Reply

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

It sounds like the Dexcool has broken down and you have a cooling system full of mud now. I want to tell you that this is going to be just the beginning of a long list of ongoing cooling system problems that are going to develop in the near future. This stuff is like cancer when it gets going. Your first step is to get as mush of that mud out as possible. Get some good flush additive and run it through the cooling system for a good hour or so of driving around. Remove the thermostat and flush the system thoroughly with a garden hose until the water runs clear. After you have done this, now you will need to pressure test the cooling system and find where the leaks are right now. Be prepared for more to develop later too.