Ron Ananian discusses the importance of knowing when not to make a repair, illustrated through a case involving a 2007 Mercury Milan with an electrical issue. He emphasizes the significance of proper diagnosis and the challenges of sourcing obsolete parts. The episode also features a call from a listener with a 2023 Hyundai Elantra, prompting a conversation about oil change intervals and maintenance practices. Ananian advocates for regular check-ups and the use of diagnostic tools to ensure vehicle longevity, while addressing common repair dilemmas.
Sometimes the best repair is the one you don’t make—and Ron explains why with a 2007 Mercury Milan that came in for a simple turn-signal problem. What looked like an easy bulb swap turns into a lesson in modern diagnostics, networked body modules (GEM/SJB), and the harsh reality of obsolete parts and programming limitations.
Then Ron takes a call on a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica with an intermittent no-start and a “pop-pop” sound near the battery—plus a hood that wouldn’t even open—raising questions about cable routing, connections, possible prior damage, and whether the van has start/stop with an auxiliary battery.
Plus: an F-150 slowly losing coolant with no visible leaks—Ron walks through pressure testing, dye testing, internal vs external loss, and when a sealant strategy may make sense on high-mileage trucks. And for low-mileage drivers wondering when to change oil, Ron stands by his rule: five months or five thousand miles—because an oil change is also a maintenance checkpoint, not just fresh oil.
"stepson's 2007 Mercury Milan. Mercury Milan's are an interesting breed for lack of a better way to say it."
The Mercury Milan is a car made by the Mercury brand, which was part of Ford. It’s a sedan that was sold from 2006 to 2011 and is similar to the Ford Fusion.
The Mercury Milan is a mid-size sedan that was produced by Ford's Mercury division from 2006 to 2011. It shares its platform with the Ford Fusion and is known for its comfortable ride and decent fuel economy.
"...a lot of the parts are just gone like so many cars today. They're parts are just obsolete so I'm always cautious..."
Obsolete parts are car parts that you can't find anymore because they are no longer made. This can make fixing older cars really hard.
Obsolete parts refer to components that are no longer manufactured or available for purchase, making repairs and maintenance difficult for older vehicles. This is a common issue for cars that have been out of production for several years.
"do your rear wheel bearing so which yeah that's a whole other part of this story about you know"
A rear wheel bearing is a part that helps the wheels turn smoothly. If it's damaged, it can cause noise and make it hard to drive safely.
The rear wheel bearing is a crucial component that allows the wheel to rotate smoothly while supporting the weight of the vehicle. It plays a significant role in the overall handling and safety of the car.
"I always start with a diagnosis right and a diagnosis begins in my shop it begins we pull codes"
Diagnosis is when a mechanic checks a car to find out what's wrong with it. They use special tools to help them understand the problem.
Diagnosis in automotive repair refers to the process of identifying the cause of a vehicle's malfunction. It typically involves using diagnostic tools and methods to analyze the vehicle's systems.
"I'm plugging a diagnostic tool into the OBD2 port the diagnostic port under the dashboard and I'm retrieving fault codes"
The OBD2 port is a plug-in point in your car where mechanics can connect tools to check for problems. It helps them understand what's wrong with the vehicle.
The OBD2 port is a standardized diagnostic interface found in most vehicles since 1996. It allows mechanics to connect diagnostic tools to retrieve information about the vehicle's performance and any faults.
"I'm retrieving fault codes I just want to see what's there and I still maintain that this is the right way in the only place in the best place to start"
Fault codes are special codes that tell mechanics what problems the car's computer has found. They help figure out what's wrong with the car.
Fault codes are alphanumeric codes generated by a vehicle's onboard computer when it detects a malfunction. These codes help technicians diagnose issues within the vehicle's systems.
"this was real high tech stuff in 2007 and this was one of Ford's early attempts at creating a CAN bus network and they used a it's referred to as the gem module generic"
A CAN bus network is like a shared communication line in a car that lets different parts talk to each other. This helps the car's systems work together more efficiently.
A CAN bus network is a communication system used in vehicles that allows various electronic components to communicate with each other. It helps streamline data transfer and improve vehicle functionality by connecting different modules and sensors.
"and they used a it's referred to as the gem module generic electronic module it's also called so it's called a gem module an SJB a smart junction box"
The GEM module is a part of the car that helps control things like lights and power. It makes sure everything works together properly in the car's electrical system.
The GEM module, or Generic Electronic Module, is a component in vehicles that manages various electronic functions, such as lighting and power distribution. It plays a crucial role in the vehicle's electrical system by coordinating signals from different sensors and switches.
"it's also called so it's called a gem module an SJB a smart junction box or sometimes referred to as a body module"
The Smart Junction Box is a part of the car that helps manage how power is distributed to different electrical parts. It makes sure everything gets the right amount of power to work properly.
The Smart Junction Box (SJB) is an electronic control unit in vehicles that manages power distribution and communication between various electrical components. It enhances the vehicle's electrical efficiency and reliability by centralizing control functions.
"or sometimes referred to as a body module as a matter of fact in the paperwork that I gave Amy at the end the diagnostic printouts"
A body module is a part of the car that controls things related to the car's body, like lights and door locks. It helps make sure these features work correctly.
A body module is an electronic control unit that manages various functions related to the vehicle's body, such as lighting, door locks, and windows. It plays a vital role in ensuring the proper operation of these features within the vehicle.
"and as soon as you engage the directionals the directionals blinked once correctly"
Directionals are the blinking lights on a car that show when the driver is turning or changing lanes. They help other drivers know what to expect.
Directionals, also known as turn signals, are lights on a vehicle that indicate a driver's intention to turn or change lanes. They are essential for safe driving and communication with other road users.
"but the light stayed out and the light was still out when the car left"
A light bulb in a car is what makes the lights shine, like the headlights or turn signals. They help you see and let others know what you're doing on the road.
In automotive terms, a light bulb refers to the component that produces light for various functions in a vehicle, such as headlights, taillights, and turn signals. They are crucial for visibility and safety.
"...re chris how can i help you in your 23 christ or pacifica hi ron thanks for taking my call you're welcome o..."
The Chrysler Pacifica is a family minivan that has lots of room for passengers and their things. It has special seats that can fold down into the floor to create more space when you need it. People talk about it because it's a great option for families who need a reliable and comfortable vehicle.
The Chrysler Pacifica is a minivan that has gained popularity for its spacious interior, advanced technology features, and family-friendly design. It offers versatility with its Stow 'n Go seating, allowing for easy conversion between passenger and cargo space. The Pacifica is often discussed for its blend of practicality and comfort, making it a top choice for families.
"...when i pushed the start button the car made this electrical popping noise..."
A start button lets you start the car by pressing a button instead of using a key. It's a common feature in newer cars that makes starting the engine easier.
A start button is a feature in modern vehicles that allows the driver to start the engine with the push of a button instead of using a traditional key. This technology is often part of a keyless entry system, enhancing convenience and security.
"...the battery and the dealer let us take it to their service center nearby and they replace the battery a second time after they fix the hood issue right and then..."
The battery is what powers your car when you turn the key. If it's not working, your car won't start or may have electrical problems.
The battery in a vehicle provides the electrical power needed to start the engine and run electrical components when the engine is off. A failing battery can lead to starting issues and other electrical problems.
"...does this vehicle have start stop technology but what does that mean when you pull up to a traffic light or a stop sign does the vehicle shut off..."
Start-stop technology helps save gas by turning off the engine when you're stopped, like at a red light. It turns the engine back on when you need to go again.
Start-stop technology is a feature in modern vehicles that automatically shuts off the engine when the car comes to a stop, such as at traffic lights, to save fuel and reduce emissions. When the driver releases the brake or accelerates, the engine restarts automatically.
The Ford F-150 is a popular truck that many people use for work and everyday driving. The 2011 version is part of a long line of F-Series trucks that are known for being tough and reliable.
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck known for its durability and versatility, often used for both work and personal purposes. The 2011 model is part of the twelfth generation of the F-Series, which has been a best-seller in the U.S. for decades.
"Is it a CP head gasket? Is it a CP coolant internal passage"
The head gasket is a part of the engine that keeps oil and coolant from leaking into each other. If it breaks, it can cause serious problems for the engine.
A head gasket is a critical component that seals the engine block and cylinder head, preventing coolant and engine oil from mixing and maintaining compression within the engine. If it fails, it can lead to significant engine damage.
"...something like a K-seal coolant seal additive to see if that stops it? Simple and easy, right? Now, K-seal, if you go to kseal.com..."
K-Seal is a product that helps fix leaks in your car's cooling system. It can be added to the coolant to help stop leaks without needing a big repair.
K-Seal is a brand of coolant sealant designed to repair leaks in the cooling system of an engine. It works by sealing small leaks and preventing further coolant loss.
"K-seal does have better ability to stop a coolant issue than any other sealer I've ever found on the market."
Coolant is a liquid that helps keep your car's engine from getting too hot. It moves through the engine and radiator to cool things down.
Coolant is a fluid used in vehicles to regulate engine temperature. It absorbs heat from the engine and dissipates it through the radiator, preventing overheating.
"...There's a lot of O-ring connections that seep coolant and you just won't see it. You know, it'll either clearly hit the ground..."
O-ring connections are rubber rings that help keep fluids, like coolant, from leaking out of pipes and hoses in a vehicle. They fit into grooves and create a seal to stop leaks.
O-ring connections are seals used in various automotive applications to prevent leaks, particularly in fluid systems like coolant. They are circular rings made of rubber or other materials that fit into grooves to create a tight seal.
"...the one that was dripping into the frame rail and the frame rail captured the small amount of coolant over time until you drove it down the road..."
The frame rail is a strong part of a car's structure that helps hold everything together. If there's a leak, it can sometimes collect fluids like coolant without you noticing right away.
The frame rail is a structural component of a vehicle's chassis that provides support and rigidity. It runs along the length of the vehicle and can be a critical area for capturing fluids like coolant if there are leaks.
"...to the catalytic converters if it is internal because catalytic converters and antifreeze don't like each other a whole lot, right?"
A catalytic converter is a part of the car that helps clean up the exhaust gases so that they are less harmful to the environment. It changes bad gases into cleaner ones before they leave the car.
A catalytic converter is an emissions control device that reduces harmful pollutants in the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. It converts toxic gases like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into less harmful emissions before they exit the vehicle's exhaust system.
"...he has a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. Actually, first is the summer of 2022..."
The Hyundai Elantra is a small car that is easy to drive and good on gas. The 2023 version has new tech and safety features that make it a smart choice for many drivers.
The Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan known for its affordability, fuel efficiency, and modern design. The 2023 model features updated technology and safety features, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers.
"...the oil, it requires a 0W-20 synthetic. He changes his oil at regular intervals..."
0W-20 synthetic oil is a special kind of oil used in car engines. It helps the engine run smoothly and saves fuel, especially in cold weather.
0W-20 synthetic oil is a type of motor oil that has a viscosity rating of 0 in cold temperatures and 20 when hot. It is designed to provide better fuel efficiency and engine protection compared to conventional oils.
"...time and time again. We had a, what was she driving? A 2018 Ford Edge."
The Ford Edge is a type of SUV that is larger than a car but smaller than a full-size SUV. It has a lot of space for passengers and cargo, making it great for families.
The Ford Edge is a midsize crossover SUV that offers a comfortable ride and spacious interior. It is known for its good handling and available all-wheel drive, making it a popular choice among families.
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Sometimes the best repair is the one you don't make.
It just is and it happens every once in a while in a repair shop. It happened to me this week and
you know you're not there just to make a living but you're there to guide people and that's really
what it's about. You're supposed to take care of your flock and every once in a while a new flock
member comes in and you've kind of got to kind of guide them accordingly. Amy came in with her
stepson's 2007 Mercury Milan. Mercury Milan's are an interesting breed for lack of a better way to
say it. That was that generation when Ford was and I forget what the Ford equivalent was but it was
when Ford was bringing in and trying to create European models under Ford cloaking and they were
good cars. They didn't make a lot of them but I happen to know for a fact that a lot of the parts
are just gone like so many cars today. They're parts are just obsolete so I'm always cautious
anytime any one of them comes in and I don't think the average consumer realizes it because to them
it's it's a Mercury it's a Ford it's you know there's just a gazillion of them but there isn't.
What kind of got my eye and made me hold back was the left front directional bulb was on that was the
complaint and they had tried bulbs and the local firestone had tried a couple of things and they
admitted they said hey we don't have anybody that qualified to work on electrical but we'd like to
do your rear wheel bearing so which yeah that's a whole other part of this story about you know
what's the best repair and what's the best action to take and Amy asked around and she ended up on
my doorstep and I was glad to have her so you know where I start I always start with a diagnosis
right and a diagnosis begins in my shop it begins we pull codes so understand and think about what
I'm telling you I'm pulling codes meaning I'm plugging a diagnostic tool into the OBD2 port
the diagnostic port under the dashboard and I'm retrieving fault codes I just want to see what's
there and I still maintain that this is the right way in the only place in the best place to start
any any repair diagnosis really of anything today because look look at what I'm diagnosing I'm
diagnosing a light bulb basically the vehicle had a B as in Baker 1799 front directional
circuit open fault hmm look at that now you know to lay the groundwork for this conversation I have
to tell you I'm aware of what these cars are this is European networking this is what it was
this was this was real high tech stuff in 2007 and this was one of Ford's early attempts at
creating a CAN bus network and they used a it's referred to as the gem module generic
electronic module it's also called so it's called a gem module an SJB a smart junction box
or sometimes referred to as a body module as a matter of fact in the paperwork
that I gave Amy at the end the diagnostic printouts because I always give you paperwork I'm one of
those shops that I think if you're paying me for a diagnosis you're going to get paperwork
which I still think is the way to go you know in the in the diagnostic printouts some spots
called it an SJB some spots called it a gem module some spots called it a and you get it right it's
still the same thing though so I I ran through testing I ran through the diagnostics they want
you to do a reset of the SJB or the gem module or the body module whatever you want to call it
and it cleared the fault code and the directional would work for a momentary
moment and the light would be out and as soon as you engage the directionals
the directionals blinked once correctly and then all of a sudden they blinked fast stopped
blinking but the light stayed out and the light was still out when the car left and I think that's
something that at some point it's going to see enough occurrences of that
and it's going to turn that light bulb back on but here's the kick and why didn't we fix it
because the best repair sometimes is the one you don't make because this 2007 this almost 20 year
old vehicle needed a part that's obsolete and I don't mean just obsolete I mean like it doesn't
exist it's it's gone into the vapor trail of parts there's one dealer in middle of Kansas
somewhere that shows it on national inventory we didn't call to find out it was a $500 part
five years ago and Ford was still selling them but even if they had it it would have to be shipped
it was probably a as received no guarantee on condition condition and then it had to be programmed
the gem module often requires programming to identify it to the vehicle
and as I said to Amy so you know if we get this $500 obsolete part and we managed to program it
with newer equipment because a lot of times programming equipment is not retroactive where
it works with older stuff it's like as I always tell you guys it's like it's like go find me a
Windows 98 program and install it on a computer today it's how difficult is that as we evolve
forward and the technology moves forward a lot of the computer software just updates whatever it is
you're working on I said what's next and she looked at me and she said gee I never thought of it like
that and that's a lot of that's a lot of what this is about right it's it's what's next what are we
what are we going to do next you know what happens and I and I know this for a fact what
happens when the transmission in that mercury Milan goes bad and what does that cost and I can
tell you from experience that's obsolete too don't ask me how I know you don't want to hear the story
but the customer that purchased one about two years ago maybe two and a half now fortunately
and this is really interesting fortunately purchased a warranty from the dealership when
they bought it and when the transmission went south on that mercury Milan it they took it back
to the dealer under warranty and they were told yeah that transmission is obsolete but they said
but you sold us a service contract and they ran it up through the power of Ford Motor Company and
Ford said okay we've got seven left and they were able to get one of those seven and it's just I
found that interesting that you know our car companies ever really out of a part or just get
to a point where it doesn't pay to really distribute them which is a a different conversation
I think it's the obligation of a repair shop to you know set the stage preface preface the repair
is this car worth fixing is this car really worth repairing because what's next what's going to
happen after you fix this what's the practicality of it this car needed a left rear wheel bearing
this car needed this body module repair all right whatever associated programming that
went along with it and it's 19 years old and we're going to put it in the hands of a freshman
college student trying to make his way through college on a 30-minute commute each way back
and forth for the next four years and all that has to come into consideration I think it's the
obligation I don't think people are just a number I think you know each one has an individual story
because when you look at why and how people drive and operate vehicles there's a reason behind most
of it all right some are some are just a number some want to be just somebody standing at the
deli counter it's now serving number 14 and away we go I'll take a half a pound of turkey
but some people want to know how good is the turkey and what's the best cut of turkey and will
that turkey give me satisfaction and that's a lot of what you're doing at the repair shop level
or you should be doing you know you're making sure that they're happy with the slice you're
they're happy with the sandwich you're managing expectations and a lot of times you're going
to find out that it makes a very handy customer to hand them back a king and go your vehicle
can't be repaired shouldn't be repaired and here's why it's just how you build the case
because a lot of times the best repair to make is none get paid for your time get paid for the
consultation but guide them in the best direction and in this case no parts no repair just can't
be done not within reason 8555609900 I'm running any in the car doctor I'll be back right after this
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hey let's get over to chris in wisconsin and see what's going on here chris how can i help you
in your 23 christ or pacifica hi ron thanks for taking my call you're welcome of yourself thank you
we bought this vehicle used from dealer in wisconsin on december 2nd
i drove it home which was a tour drive got a home parking in the driveway we had a cold spell
during that time the very next night and this is the first time that we were starting it because
the dealer had brought it already started for us to s drive and when i pushed the start button
the car made this electrical popping noise and i tried it like 10 times it wouldn't start and it
would go pop pop and it's kind of the same noise that you get when the battery is hooked up wrong
you're trying to jump start with a car and finally on about the 11th try it started
i drove it 30 miles it ran beautifully i was in a meeting for an hour it started right up
when i went to go home subsequently for the next two weeks sometimes it would start on the first
try and then sometimes i'd experience that popping issue and every time that you'd get
pop it wouldn't start the other thing that was happening was the indicator light on the shifter
knob it's got a turn knob to shift right sometimes it would go out completely so the only way you
could tell when you started it that you could tell you were in drive is you had to count the number
of clicks as you turned that little knob so now you now you know why somebody traded it in right
yeah yep so and and the dealer it they traded it in for a key a kind of a key a dealer and
the dealer put a battery in 71 miles before we bought it so um we've tried different things
for like two weeks and we never could get the hood up when i took it to my brother who worked
on cars right he couldn't the hood to release either that you felt like you were going to break
the lever so then i called the dealer and they let me take the vehicle to one of their affiliates
in the nearby town they had it for six days they had to take a wedge into the hood to pop the hood
and they had to cut the cable the cable was wrapped around something and replace the cable
so that you could get the hood so let me ask you this chris you think you think the car was in an
accident um i i did a car fax on it and it said no okay i just i just think um well keep it keep
it keep in mind though kiddo you know it can be in an accident and get repaired by a local
body shop and if it's not reported through insurance car fax car fax i'll never see it
so well the reason the reason but the reason i'm asking that question is
you know was it in an accident what altered or could something have altered the way battery
cables and connections are made on this vehicle that led us to this problem where the hood doesn't
open and the no start condition because it's only three years old how many miles are on this car
45 cells right and it with a one owner car right so there's something's something's a skew here
right in the sense that in the sense that something wasn't assembled right after a crash
or or you know it's just coincidence that the hood cable wasn't routed correctly
and fell out of its holder or fell out of position and it wouldn't get the hood to open
so yeah i i think your brother who works on cars i think he's got to take some time and look at this
you know just to understand it just was this car in an accident and you know a mechanical
look at something he'll you know the trained i'll see it the bolts won't line up they'll be overspray
somewhere the fender won't match something's going to be cockeyed with this car right but but onto your
question all right let's let's let's assume let's assume it's not an accident vehicle
which is a dangerous word right and i i don't think it was because the dealer would have had to have
the hood open 71 miles before i bought it well maybe the dealer didn't maybe the dealer doesn't
know it's an accident vehicle and maybe the dealer just found a way to get the hood open
maybe they just they replaced the battery okay sure but but but regardless you think the
dealer's going to tell you hey we've got a problem opening the hood they want to sell the car
yeah well that's what happened right you know this problem and the hood are not opening right
we're both there what we bought the car we didn't know it right anyway anyway first thing i want to
do is when i you know where does this pop pop sound come from is it under the dash or out under the
hood it's out under the hood okay like the battery and the dealer let us take it to their service
center nearby and they replace the battery a second time after they fix the hood issue right and then
we drove it for a week or i had my husband started every day he had it at our cottage
and there were no issues and on january third i was at our cottage and i got in the vehicle
that afternoon to take it home and pop pop wouldn't i so so here let me let me do this in the time i
have left i think there's a connection issue on under the hood somewhere i think somebody's got a
trace coming off positive and negative battery are the cables correctly routed grounded connected
i would be i would be going over the tip them or the power control module under the hood also
does this vehicle have start stop technology but what does that mean when you pull up to
a traffic light or a stop sign does the vehicle shut off that has not happened but it has this
annoying automatic brake when you it'll it'll put on the parking brake right but does it
have start stop well don't don't don't judge it by that it hasn't worked because if the and here's
why if the auxiliary battery is dead and you don't know that it's there because it's hidden
in a in a recess right ah it can cause other starting issues so one of the things i want to
do i want you to do two things one does this vehicle have start stop doesn't have an auxiliary
battery okay identify that because you know when a chrysler has a problem with a battery
we always change both and there's a very good reason why you do that because one affects the other
all right if you if you want to read more about the auxiliary batteries go out to auto batteries
dot com they'll explain it very well that's number one number two do a code scan i know this isn't
check engine light related stuff but i'm curious is there a b is in baker 215 b ignition run start
control fault in this vehicle and that would tell us something also about loss of power so two
things to do a couple of things to look at you call me back next week i'm ronnie in the car doctor
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today
Car advice done right.
Maybe that's the next T-shirt.
Ronananian, and on the back, the car doctor.
Car advice done right.
Hmm, I'll have to think about that.
In the meantime, let's go to Annette on the West Coast.
Annette, welcome to the car doctor.
How can I help?
Hi, I've got a 2011 F-150,
and I'm losing about a gallon of Vanny Freeze
every 300 miles.
Which engine?
There's no 5.0 liter.
So it's the V8.
Okay, and there's no leaks that you see anywhere.
You don't see puddles, et cetera.
Correct.
Has anybody pressure tested this?
My mechanic has a couple.
It's been going on for about five years now.
I don't drive it a lot, but he can't find the leak either.
And if it's truly, so let's back up.
Let's say he's pressure tested it.
You know, he's applied pressure
and he's added a dye to the system,
which would be a normal course of a diagnosis
and he sees no leaks anywhere, all right?
Then I'm gonna tell you that if you're not seeing
an external leak and you've been through it
and proven that, and I'm saying it like that
because I'm trying to make a point
that that has to be the first step.
Just because we don't see it doesn't mean we shouldn't do it.
But once we've established that there are no external leaks,
it's internal through the engine.
And the fact that you won't see it
is because the engine's burning it little by little.
Is it a CP head gasket?
Is it a CP coolant internal passage
that's leaking into combustion somewhere causing the issue?
How many miles around this truck?
185,000.
Okay.
So, you know, if we're not seeing an external leak
and let's say we proved it to be a head gasket, all right?
It's probably not something at almost 200,000 miles.
I'm gonna say, yeah, let's put head gaskets on it.
I'm probably, and we're just gonna spitball this,
you and I, right?
I'm not trying to sell you out either way.
But if we were standing at the counter,
the conversation would be instead of doing
an internal engine repair, head gasket,
engine overhaul, whatever, on a, let's say a 2011.
So it's what, 13 years old?
No, it's 15 years old, right?
15 years old, 200,000 miles.
Why aren't we doing something like a K-seal coolant seal
additive to see if that stops it?
Simple and easy, right?
Now, K-seal, if you go to kseal.com,
not to make this salesy, but it's the truth.
We use K-seal in the shop all the time, right?
K-seal does have better ability to stop a coolant issue
than any other sealer I've ever found on the market.
And they also make something called K-seal Ultimate,
which is for head gasket issues.
It's about 33%.
I think the spec is 33% more sealing power,
but just know that it's got a little over 30% more sealer
in it, and if there's an internal head gasket issue,
if K-seal doesn't do it, there's a bigger problem here.
But I would suspect that it will,
because it's been going on for how long?
Five years, right?
So I think there's a real tiny leak here,
but if you're legitimately losing coolant
and there's no external leak,
the only other place it can be going
is internal through the engine, right?
I mean, that's it.
You can kind of smell the evaporation,
you know what I mean?
You can smell it.
It smells sweet.
Yeah, you can smell it, but I can't see it.
He can't see it.
Right, where does it smell sweet?
Up front or in the back by the tailpipes?
Up front.
Okay.
And there might be a leak there
that he just hasn't discovered.
I would be curious if he did a dye test.
And the reason I like to do a dye check
is because it just gives me proof positive.
Tell me what's good, I'll tell you what's bad.
You know, I could come back to you and say,
hey, you know what, Annette?
I added dye to the cooling system.
I looked at it with a black light.
There is no external dye anywhere
because there's an awful lot of white pipes
and hoses and fittings up front on that truck.
And I've seen that.
There's a lot of O-ring connections that seep coolant
and you just won't see it.
You know, it'll either clearly hit the ground, you know,
or it's gonna leak at the oddest time.
But the fact that this is going on five years
also is a distraction.
Could it be a head gasket?
You would think by now it would have failed, right?
How far has that vehicle gone in five years?
5,000 miles, 10,000 miles, 30,000 miles?
Maybe 10,000 miles, yeah.
I drive it to the coast a couple times a year
and then I drive it in the wintertime
when the roads get bad, so yeah.
So it's not seeing a lot of super heavy duty use.
I bet if you drove that vehicle 20,000 miles a year,
like what's normal mileage?
I don't know, 15,000, 20,000 miles a year?
I bet you by now whatever the horse is
would have reared its ugly head
and we'd have more of a definitive answer.
But I think we've got to kind of nurse this along.
It's either an external dye and black light test
or some cooling system sealer internally
and see if it slows it down.
But don't get confused by the fact that you don't see it.
If it's burning it, you'll never see it.
But the smell, an engine burning coolant
shouldn't produce a sweet smell up front.
There's a loss there.
It's there somewhere you're just not seeing it.
Is it dripping into it?
The worst coolant leak I ever had a diagnose
was the one that was dripping into the frame rail
and the frame rail captured the small amount of coolant
over time until you drove it down the road
and then it would splash out, you'd never see it.
It would never drip all the vehicle was parked.
You know, it kind of drove me insane.
It was a dodge in that case,
not that dodges dripping into frames and fords can't.
It depends on where the leak is,
but treat all diagnosis as a diagnosis.
And that's why I say a dye check and a pressure test
along the way will tell us a whole lot more.
All right, kiddo, but kseal.com might have some answers
for you.
You go there.
I appreciate that, thank you.
You're very welcome in that, you be well.
And I think that's, no, go ahead in that, you're good.
I think that's how you have to look at it, right?
It's how long has it been going on?
Why don't I see it?
Well, you won't see it.
You won't see an internal engine leak
because it'll go through the exhaust,
it'll hit the cat, the cattle,
and not to mention what we're doing
to the catalytic converters if it is internal
because catalytic converters and antifreeze
don't like each other a whole lot, right?
So it's important to diagnose it
and it's process of elimination.
Stop looking for what's bad.
Tell me what's good.
If I don't have an external leak,
well, logic would dictate that the only place it can be then
is an internal engine loss.
And then we've got to decide how are we gonna solve it?
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