HI, I think this will be my first post on this site. Anyways I have a 98 3500 12 valve. I have had the truck since 99. My mods consist of a BD turbo, full 4 inch exhaust, 3krpm kit, stage 2 ddp injectors, #10 plate and I just got laser cut delivery valves from Piers they are not installed. The transmission has about $5000 into it. Anyways about 20,000 miles ago I did a head gasket. I hope I do not need to do it again. So my problem is sometimes when my engine is warm 170-190 degrees I just noticed some coolant dripping off the bell housing of the transmission. I ran the truck with the radiator cap off to see any bubbles and there was none. The oil is still clean. And I cannot see where the coolant is coming from, almost looks like the tranny cooler that has 175,000 on it could be the culpret. So the past 2 days have been about 20 degrees, and there has been no coolant dripping at all. But for months prior I have smelled coolant but could never find any. My buddy who is a dodge mechanic tells me I am crazy. The truck does use a quart of coolant every oil change. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

Truck is used for work and towing. never sees more than 25-30 lbs of boost.

 

If the truck never sees more than 30 lbs. of boost, I find it hard to believe a head gasket is to blame. May sound weird, but have you checked the water pump? If you're driving and it's leaking from up near the hoses/pump/radiator, it could blow the coolant back to where the engine/tranny mate up. Just a thought, as my water pump sprung a small leak from the weep hole, then turned into a waterfall.

 

could be water pump, trans. cooler, and also your heater hoses going to your heater core

 

pull the fan off just dont run yer A/C or Tow

clean the motor up good then locate to leak..........................sprinkle flour on the suspected areas will help to locate

 

Check out the line that runs from the back of the Trans cooler and along the block. Mine rusted through the other day and started leaking down the side of the block. It was kind of weeping out so I couldn't really tell and it didn't happen all the time. I cut the metal tube close to each end and ran heater hose between with shielding over it.

 

OK guys thanks for the help. Once I fix it I will post what it was.

 

Why was the headgasket done in the first place?

I took my heat exchanger off the engine so I don't recall 100% where the lines run, but what part of the bell housing is it leaking off of? If's its near the top, I would check the steel lines beside your injector lines.

If it is more on the drivers side, I would check the temp. sensor (Big brass fitting with one wire terminal on rear drivers side of the head) for leaks.

Also, for hard to find leaks like this, I've used the dye and UV? flashlight(shows blue light), shows up fairly easy.


BTW, I HATE trying to track down coolant leaks......

 

at work (dealership) we use a pressure tester, just pump it up and the leak will be squirting, makes it really easy to find leaks

 

I'd have to agree with the above and the water temp sensor being the culprit if its leaking down the drivers side.However I have seen the head leak back there also on the passenger side inbetween number 5 and 6 cylinder where they are prone to cracking.It will then weep down the right side of the block and blow back over the bell housing and all over underneath.When they crack there they will leak worst when cold and when warm they seal up some and slow to a dribble.Eventually they will begin to show leaking all the time and then its time for a head.This is one of those been there-done that t-shirt awards.

Also someone said they doubt its a headgasket since the boost was 30psi.I disagree with that also as I know one of the biggest reasons a headgasket will fail on a 12v is due to rpm and no coolant relief bypass system.I just was the recipient of that been there-done that t shirt award right before our clubs annual fall dyno rip.It all began with a high speed blast chasing a WRX STi that had a boost shot of 40psi and 3700 rpm.It pushed the headgasket water jacket material right under the thermostat housing out and did the old mess up under the truck deal with all the relieved anti freeze due to rpm's.........Andy

 

Ended up being a head bolt on the back of the head. Coolant would seep periodicaly.
Removed the bolt and installed some arp thread sealent. Anyone do head studs one at a time leaving the head on????