1999 Chevrolet 1500 Pickup

Reader Question: My son owns a 1999 Chevrolet 1500 Pickup truck. About once or twice a week he puts 1-2 quarts of oil in it, also he says once a week he puts coolant in it. He notices water comes out of the tail pipe.

I hope you can help.

Theresa

Hey Theresa,

I would have a cooling system pressure test done FIRST to rule out the possibility of an external coolant leak from a radiator hose or something and an internal leak from a blown head gasket or crack in the engine block.

If there is an external leak, get it fixed.

If there is an internal coolant leak, like from a head gasket you might want to try the sealer option I talk about here:

Engine Block Sealer Additive Tips

On the engine oil loss: This could be due to a worn out engine or worn out seals inside the engine, which can be costly to repair.

I would have your mechanic or fast lube place check the PCV system and replace the PCV valve if needed. If the PCV system is not working it can cause a build up of internal oil pressure thus cause leaking oil seals and oil consumption?

Here is a picture of the PCV valve:

PCV Valve

Next, have them look the engine over for an external oil leak that needs to be repaired. He might just have an external oil leak and not an internal oil leak or oil consumption problem.

If they do suspect an internal problem for the oil loss, I would recommend you use the thickest engine oil your mechanic feels comfortable with.

I would use straight 50 weight if you were in sunny Houston where it never freezes or gets too cold. The thicker the engine oil the less likely it is to leak past a worn out oil seal.

I would also try using one of the over the counter engine oil additives like ENGINE RESTORE in the silver can on each oil change. I have had good luck with it in the past.

Blessings,
Austin Davis