i was told a slight clicking may be caused by a leak in some small hose under the ac unit. so i was taking the radiator out to get to this hose when i noticed my antifreeze was a beautiful mixture of red and green. oh and my truck won't stay running anymore. I have to keep a foot on the gas or it turns off. any ideas on what my problem might be would be great
2006-11-14 09:59:15 · 7 answers · asked by JohnDEstep 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You confirmed my suspicions when you said red and green. Your oil/coolant mixture is almost certainly ATF in the coolant. Second gen Dakotas were (are?) famous for the transmission cooler cracking internally and leaking. Check your trans fluid level and I'll be it's low. Confirmation.
Your driveability concern is probably not related to the leak. Do you have an illuminated MIL? If so, have you retrieved the DTC's? If so, what are they.
If you would like additional help and advice, do the e-mail thing.
2006-11-14 10:14:31 · answer #1 · answered by vwhobo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the other person had it right... you have a leak at the trans cooler, which is internal to the radiator. as far the engine not wanting to idle, these dakotas are famous for the throttle body base gasket "sucking in" and therefore creating a severe vacuum leak. i would look real hard there. it's an e-z repair. 4 bolts, lift it up slightly, slide the old gasket out, slide the new one in, and reinstall the bolts. it really is almost that e-z. you have to repair the cooler. can't use it like it is.
2006-11-14 10:45:02 · answer #2 · answered by gearhead_35k 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
RED fluid in radiator? Thats transmission fluid. Let me guess, your truck is an automatic. The tranny cooler is built into the bottom of the radiator. If it leaks, tranny fluid gets into the antifreeze. I bet you've got some green in your tranny fluid. Time for a new radiator and a tranny flush.
Check your vacuum lines and connections for the stalling issue. What trouble codes are you getting from computer?
2006-11-14 12:51:33 · answer #3 · answered by electron670 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's not oil in the radiator. Somebody mixed red and green antifreeze, and you get sort of a brown goop forming from the reaction. You need to do a killer flush, and flush again to get every speck of that crap out and stick to the right antifreeze next time.
2006-11-14 10:44:14 · answer #4 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i agree with hobo .... i used to work at the local dodge dealership, and have seen that many times ..... as far as the not wanting to run now goes, i would have to have a little more info ....
2006-11-14 10:48:54 · answer #5 · answered by alarebel6920012002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
blown head gasket,or cracked head.
2006-11-14 10:06:54 · answer #6 · answered by porkchophaynes0206 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
HEAD GASKET!
2006-11-14 10:05:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋