Just totally frustrated with my truck and need some help.

About 2 weeks ago I slid on the ice on a country road and the truck did a nose dive into the ditch. Luckily, it didn't hurt anything that I could see, but immediately afterwards my heater would blow hot air, then cold air. It did this until later that night and I put in more antifreeze in the coolant reservoir.

Now yesterday, I started up my truck to warm it up since it was below zero here, and after stuggling to crank over it made a weird rubberish sound. Didn't think too much of it and let it sit for 10 minutes. Got in to go to work and the air was still blowing cold. Figured no big deal; it would eventually warm up during my 20 min drive to work...it never did. Worse yet, after a few miles a noise in my engine started and after every time I hit the gas, it would get louder and louder. Got stuck in rush hour and felt like I was loosing power? But then low and behold, the noise just vanished! Still not blowing heat though...then about a minute later the truck starts overheating! Needle goes from mid to red, then after a few minutes back down to mid, then back up to red after some more driving.

I finally get to work and check my coolant tank. It was almost empty. I look under the truck and notice antifreeze coming under the driver's side fender and a small puddle under the water pump area.
I get two things of antifreeze, and I can almost get both into the reservoir!

Leave work adn it starts overheating again and shooting antifreeze out the reservoir as I'm driving. (I know this because I was followed home and the driver behind me said the saw alot of steam coming from under the hood on that side.) I make it home, pop the hood and the entire driver's side of my engine is wet with antifreeze.

What the heck is the problem? Thermostat? Water Pump? Radiator? HEAD GASKET?!? Please help.

Edit: Truck is a 1997 4.2L 5-Speed with 198,000 miles. Always maintained since I've owned it at 160,000 miles.

 

my sugestion is fill the raditator back up and play the sit and watch game. Sounds dumb but you wanna narrow your search before you start buyin parts, my guess would be probably radiator or lines since you slide into the ditch. I wouldnt think water pump but i wouldnt count it out. The thermestat wouldnt poor all the fluid out that fast. and you would know if it was a head gasket since you drove it home. if it was head gasket you wouldnt be on here you would be pullin your motor. try fillin it up and see where your leak is, my have to get someone tyo help watch, get back on here and we ccan go from there

 

Check the lower rad hose to be sure it is still tight and or not split. How did you get out of the ditch? Was there anything n the ditch that could have punctured the rad?.

 

Find the leak is the first thing. I wouldn't be driving it in the condition it is in atm until you figure it out. Or things could turn ugly quick. It may not be coming from the Res, it could easily be coming from a hose or anything like that, hit the drive belt and be slung all over the place.

 

Buy a pressure tester, and make sure the cooling system is full, pressurize the cooling system and look for a leak..

 

id use the pressure tester just to be safe you dont have to buy it tho oriellys rents the things out for a deposit, it sounds like you may have busted one of the crimps on the radiator side tank, it happens if you torque the radiator very much (oh the joys of part metal part plastic radiators).

 

Went ahead and ordered a water pump, and thermostat. Actually notice some antifreeze leaking slowing from the bottom of the water pump. So I've got everything apart and decided to go ahead and hold up on the install until I go back in and pick up the upper/lower hoses.

Just stopped and thought, "hey, why not take a peek under the oil cap?" So I did and light brown mayonaise. I checked the dipstick and the oil looks perfect. I plan on draining the oil tomorrow to see if there is antifreeze in it.

So my thought is fluke or head gasket? I am not a happy camper.

 

maybe does it have an in radiator oil cooler?

 

How much build up ? Sometimes a little will appear from moisture/condensation..

 

There's more than a small amount of build-up. I could spread it on bread and make a sandwich.

 

Okay I give up. Got everything reassembled, and now the truck is blowing white smoke like crazy. Smells sweeeet!

Anyone had any luck with head gasket repair snake oil?

 

Okay, so I went to Advance Auto Parts and picked up a $30.00 bottle of head gasket sealer/block sealer. I followed the instructions and I've been driving the truck around all day without an issue. The white smoke stopped pouring out of the exhaust, and the heater works! Woohoo! Guess I'll have to wait and see if it holds up. Otherwise, it's time for a new oil change and I'm guessing my plugs are junked now too. Anyone ever try this stuff?