95 Blazer loosing coolant

[71-C10]

I have a 95 Blazer that has a coolant leak somewhere. Last week, it started running a little hotter than usual. I checked the radiator, and it was low. I put coolant in it, and it stopped getting hot. Problem here is it ran at less than 200 degrees and the heater did not get the interior warm. I took it to my mechanic and he replaced the thermostat along with a flush, fresh coolant, and a radiator cap. I still had a smell of antifreeze, but I could not find a leak. I drove it again yesterday, and it still had an antifreeze smell. I looked in the radiator and it was low again by a quart. The recovery tank was full. My wife drove it to work and later in the morning she looked out at it and noticed a small puddle under it. She went out and moved it back, and the puddle was indeed antifreeze. Also she noticed it dripping between the radiator and the front of the engine. Where she works is not far from the shop, so she took it back. Before she left, she opened the radiator (now cold) and it was full. My mechanic thought at first it may be a water pump. Now he doesn't think so. Right now, he's trying to find the source of the leak. He say's it might be the intake gasket. Anybody had a problem like this with a 4.3? Oil is not contaminated. and is at the full mark. Blazer does not smoke at all. Antifreeze is green.

[gchemist]

Intake gasket leaks are a common problem with Vortec engines. Remove the upper and lower intake together. Replace the gaskets. To find the leak, use a small mirror. Go down the edge where the intake and head meet. Rev the engine. You'll find the leak somewhere. Usually at the rear of the intake.

I replaced mine a fews years ago. Here is a picture of the failed gasket.

[spudz]

sounds like a simple pressure test should find the leak... If you are seeing puddles of antifreeze it should be a EASY leak to spot and I think you need a new mechanic. Go borrow pressure tester from autozone and pump it up to 15psi and look for the leak.

[masterjohnson]

This solve my problem to trace leaks on my blazer. This could help you in finding leaks leading to coolant loss in the coolant reservoir and possible engine overheating out on the highway. I forgot the price that is only cheap anyway.