Outatime wrote:

> The 'check guages' lamp usually indicates a faulty dash guage.

Something just dawned on me. If you do a key-on check of the dash
guages (key off...press and hold odometer button, key on, release
button), the OBD-II system will first flash codes on the odometer
readout, then systematically test each guage as you watch. Pay
attention to the oil pressure guage; if it isn't working right, you will
probably be able to tell right off this way.

That is...if the 2000's are anything like my 2005 TJL. I'm pretty sure
they use the same test procedure.

 

Outatime wrote:

> The 'check guages' lamp usually indicates a faulty dash guage.

Something just dawned on me. If you do a key-on check of the dash
guages (key off...press and hold odometer button, key on, release
button), the OBD-II system will first flash codes on the odometer
readout, then systematically test each guage as you watch. Pay
attention to the oil pressure guage; if it isn't working right, you will
probably be able to tell right off this way.

That is...if the 2000's are anything like my 2005 TJL. I'm pretty sure
they use the same test procedure.

 

Outatime wrote:

> The 'check guages' lamp usually indicates a faulty dash guage.

Something just dawned on me. If you do a key-on check of the dash
guages (key off...press and hold odometer button, key on, release
button), the OBD-II system will first flash codes on the odometer
readout, then systematically test each guage as you watch. Pay
attention to the oil pressure guage; if it isn't working right, you will
probably be able to tell right off this way.

That is...if the 2000's are anything like my 2005 TJL. I'm pretty sure
they use the same test procedure.

 

My Chemistry is a little rusty, but doesn't this happen too?

H2O + CO2 <-> HCO3- + H+

If you're bubbling CO2 through your coolant, that's not so good then. Btw,
I put some Zerex G-05 in the Jeep. I'm still thinking about what to put in
the Suburban.

Cheers,

Earle

"Outatime" <user@example.net> wrote in message
news:KfCdnSq5JKWylh_YnZ2dnUVZ_rylnZ2d@softcom.net. ..
> I agree with Earl. The coolant issue is serious; on gallon per month is
> very serious. It's going somewhere, and you must find out where. I've
> seen test strips that when dipped in the coolant, indicate the presense
> of hydrocarbons, a telltale sign of a blown head gasket. Doing a
> leakdown test will usually pinpoint this as well; a drop in pressure
> followed by a visual examination into each spark plug hole will tell you
> where the head gasket has been breached. Either way, you should repair
> the problem or have a mechanic do the work for you. This is unusual for
> a 4.0 engine.
>
> The 'check guages' lamp usually indicates a faulty dash guage. They are
> expensive to replace, but I would do it regardless of cost. You can
> first check for proper oil pressure by hooking up a mechanical oil
> pressure guage and comparing the readings.
>
> If this were me, I'd just find a very good mechanic and have everything
> fixed all at once. You're probably looking at 5-$700 for everything,
> with most being labor. You bought a very good quality truck: it's worth
> the bucks to have it fixed right.

 

My Chemistry is a little rusty, but doesn't this happen too?

H2O + CO2 <-> HCO3- + H+

If you're bubbling CO2 through your coolant, that's not so good then. Btw,
I put some Zerex G-05 in the Jeep. I'm still thinking about what to put in
the Suburban.

Cheers,

Earle

"Outatime" <user@example.net> wrote in message
news:KfCdnSq5JKWylh_YnZ2dnUVZ_rylnZ2d@softcom.net. ..
> I agree with Earl. The coolant issue is serious; on gallon per month is
> very serious. It's going somewhere, and you must find out where. I've
> seen test strips that when dipped in the coolant, indicate the presense
> of hydrocarbons, a telltale sign of a blown head gasket. Doing a
> leakdown test will usually pinpoint this as well; a drop in pressure
> followed by a visual examination into each spark plug hole will tell you
> where the head gasket has been breached. Either way, you should repair
> the problem or have a mechanic do the work for you. This is unusual for
> a 4.0 engine.
>
> The 'check guages' lamp usually indicates a faulty dash guage. They are
> expensive to replace, but I would do it regardless of cost. You can
> first check for proper oil pressure by hooking up a mechanical oil
> pressure guage and comparing the readings.
>
> If this were me, I'd just find a very good mechanic and have everything
> fixed all at once. You're probably looking at 5-$700 for everything,
> with most being labor. You bought a very good quality truck: it's worth
> the bucks to have it fixed right.

 

My Chemistry is a little rusty, but doesn't this happen too?

H2O + CO2 <-> HCO3- + H+

If you're bubbling CO2 through your coolant, that's not so good then. Btw,
I put some Zerex G-05 in the Jeep. I'm still thinking about what to put in
the Suburban.

Cheers,

Earle

"Outatime" <user@example.net> wrote in message
news:KfCdnSq5JKWylh_YnZ2dnUVZ_rylnZ2d@softcom.net. ..
> I agree with Earl. The coolant issue is serious; on gallon per month is
> very serious. It's going somewhere, and you must find out where. I've
> seen test strips that when dipped in the coolant, indicate the presense
> of hydrocarbons, a telltale sign of a blown head gasket. Doing a
> leakdown test will usually pinpoint this as well; a drop in pressure
> followed by a visual examination into each spark plug hole will tell you
> where the head gasket has been breached. Either way, you should repair
> the problem or have a mechanic do the work for you. This is unusual for
> a 4.0 engine.
>
> The 'check guages' lamp usually indicates a faulty dash guage. They are
> expensive to replace, but I would do it regardless of cost. You can
> first check for proper oil pressure by hooking up a mechanical oil
> pressure guage and comparing the readings.
>
> If this were me, I'd just find a very good mechanic and have everything
> fixed all at once. You're probably looking at 5-$700 for everything,
> with most being labor. You bought a very good quality truck: it's worth
> the bucks to have it fixed right.

 

Appreciate all the posts, well group here are some results:

The pressure test indicated a very very slow drop in pressure but
didn't reveal any external leak source, so it's definately internal

All the plugs look fine and identical in wear

The exhaust seems ok as well and is not abnormal white or smelly

The sparkplug compression test is a good idea but I am less an air
compressor

Where do you find the coolant strips to test for gases?

I am going to run a bottle of Bar's Leak in and then recheck the
pressure, hopefully that will seal up whatever it is as I have had good
luck with there product in the past....

Tom




Earle Horton wrote:
> My Chemistry is a little rusty, but doesn't this happen too?
>
> H2O + CO2 <-> HCO3- + H+
>
> If you're bubbling CO2 through your coolant, that's not so good then. Btw,
> I put some Zerex G-05 in the Jeep. I'm still thinking about what to put in
> the Suburban.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Earle
>
> "Outatime" <user@example.net> wrote in message
> news:KfCdnSq5JKWylh_YnZ2dnUVZ_rylnZ2d@softcom.net. ..
> > I agree with Earl. The coolant issue is serious; on gallon per month is
> > very serious. It's going somewhere, and you must find out where. I've
> > seen test strips that when dipped in the coolant, indicate the presense
> > of hydrocarbons, a telltale sign of a blown head gasket. Doing a
> > leakdown test will usually pinpoint this as well; a drop in pressure
> > followed by a visual examination into each spark plug hole will tell you
> > where the head gasket has been breached. Either way, you should repair
> > the problem or have a mechanic do the work for you. This is unusual for
> > a 4.0 engine.
> >
> > The 'check guages' lamp usually indicates a faulty dash guage. They are
> > expensive to replace, but I would do it regardless of cost. You can
> > first check for proper oil pressure by hooking up a mechanical oil
> > pressure guage and comparing the readings.
> >
> > If this were me, I'd just find a very good mechanic and have everything
> > fixed all at once. You're probably looking at 5-$700 for everything,
> > with most being labor. You bought a very good quality truck: it's worth
> > the bucks to have it fixed right.

 

Appreciate all the posts, well group here are some results:

The pressure test indicated a very very slow drop in pressure but
didn't reveal any external leak source, so it's definately internal

All the plugs look fine and identical in wear

The exhaust seems ok as well and is not abnormal white or smelly

The sparkplug compression test is a good idea but I am less an air
compressor

Where do you find the coolant strips to test for gases?

I am going to run a bottle of Bar's Leak in and then recheck the
pressure, hopefully that will seal up whatever it is as I have had good
luck with there product in the past....

Tom




Earle Horton wrote:
> My Chemistry is a little rusty, but doesn't this happen too?
>
> H2O + CO2 <-> HCO3- + H+
>
> If you're bubbling CO2 through your coolant, that's not so good then. Btw,
> I put some Zerex G-05 in the Jeep. I'm still thinking about what to put in
> the Suburban.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Earle
>
> "Outatime" <user@example.net> wrote in message
> news:KfCdnSq5JKWylh_YnZ2dnUVZ_rylnZ2d@softcom.net. ..
> > I agree with Earl. The coolant issue is serious; on gallon per month is
> > very serious. It's going somewhere, and you must find out where. I've
> > seen test strips that when dipped in the coolant, indicate the presense
> > of hydrocarbons, a telltale sign of a blown head gasket. Doing a
> > leakdown test will usually pinpoint this as well; a drop in pressure
> > followed by a visual examination into each spark plug hole will tell you
> > where the head gasket has been breached. Either way, you should repair
> > the problem or have a mechanic do the work for you. This is unusual for
> > a 4.0 engine.
> >
> > The 'check guages' lamp usually indicates a faulty dash guage. They are
> > expensive to replace, but I would do it regardless of cost. You can
> > first check for proper oil pressure by hooking up a mechanical oil
> > pressure guage and comparing the readings.
> >
> > If this were me, I'd just find a very good mechanic and have everything
> > fixed all at once. You're probably looking at 5-$700 for everything,
> > with most being labor. You bought a very good quality truck: it's worth
> > the bucks to have it fixed right.

 

Appreciate all the posts, well group here are some results:

The pressure test indicated a very very slow drop in pressure but
didn't reveal any external leak source, so it's definately internal

All the plugs look fine and identical in wear

The exhaust seems ok as well and is not abnormal white or smelly

The sparkplug compression test is a good idea but I am less an air
compressor

Where do you find the coolant strips to test for gases?

I am going to run a bottle of Bar's Leak in and then recheck the
pressure, hopefully that will seal up whatever it is as I have had good
luck with there product in the past....

Tom




Earle Horton wrote:
> My Chemistry is a little rusty, but doesn't this happen too?
>
> H2O + CO2 <-> HCO3- + H+
>
> If you're bubbling CO2 through your coolant, that's not so good then. Btw,
> I put some Zerex G-05 in the Jeep. I'm still thinking about what to put in
> the Suburban.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Earle
>
> "Outatime" <user@example.net> wrote in message
> news:KfCdnSq5JKWylh_YnZ2dnUVZ_rylnZ2d@softcom.net. ..
> > I agree with Earl. The coolant issue is serious; on gallon per month is
> > very serious. It's going somewhere, and you must find out where. I've
> > seen test strips that when dipped in the coolant, indicate the presense
> > of hydrocarbons, a telltale sign of a blown head gasket. Doing a
> > leakdown test will usually pinpoint this as well; a drop in pressure
> > followed by a visual examination into each spark plug hole will tell you
> > where the head gasket has been breached. Either way, you should repair
> > the problem or have a mechanic do the work for you. This is unusual for
> > a 4.0 engine.
> >
> > The 'check guages' lamp usually indicates a faulty dash guage. They are
> > expensive to replace, but I would do it regardless of cost. You can
> > first check for proper oil pressure by hooking up a mechanical oil
> > pressure guage and comparing the readings.
> >
> > If this were me, I'd just find a very good mechanic and have everything
> > fixed all at once. You're probably looking at 5-$700 for everything,
> > with most being labor. You bought a very good quality truck: it's worth
> > the bucks to have it fixed right.

 

> Where do you find the coolant strips to test for gases?

These are rarely sold to the public; best solution is to drive on over
to a local radiator shop and ask them to test for the presense of
hydrocarbons.

> I am going to run a bottle of Bar's Leak in and then recheck the
> pressure, hopefully that will seal up whatever it is as I have had good
> luck with there product in the past....

This is a band-aid on an amputated limb. Radiator salesman love Bar's
Stop Leak. You can try it, but then be prepared to shell out the big
bucks for gasket replacement anyway. Then be prepared to replace the
radiator if it was marginal to begin with.