P0380 Code and Slight Coolant Odor?

[ckkevin]

I just purchased my first diesel an 02 Silverado Duramax with 128,000. I have been getting a slight coolant odor. I think it is coming from the engine area but I am not sure. I can't see any sign of a leak but I lost some coolant on a 200 mile tow last weekend.

I also started getting a Glow Plug Circuit Performance error (P0380) The truck seems to start fine.

Any advise on finding the coolant leak or solving the P0380 problem would be greatly appreciated. I am hoping that I didn't buy someone else's problem

[BozDMAX]

I believe the CA trucks will throw a P0380 for a single failed glowplug. Federal trucks take a few more.

I just had injectors replaced under the 200K warranty and I had them do glow plugs at the same time for the P0380 code. They are only about $15 each, but the labor getting to them can hurt if that is the only reason you are in there.

Do a search on LB7 Glow Plugs for a good thread

[Mark Rinker]

When the waterpumps fail, they don't always leak noticeably. I'd check the waterpump for seal failure, watch carefully for coolant loss, and replace your resevoir tank cap as it is theorized that they can fail over time and cause the system to overpressurize. I just replaced both of my Dmax caps today in fact.

[Kennedy]

Check the water pump as well as the aluminum tube from the heater. These tubes often had pinhole leaks in them where the support bracket was welded on.

[ckkevin]

Thanks for the info. I am getting the coolant system pressure tested today. If my mechanic can't find the leak, he said they could put a die in the coolant that shows under a black lite.

I was really concerned about a head gasket or something serious but I think it just a minor thing. The truck seems to run okay.

Thanks again

[ckkevin]

Okay, the mechanic didn't have the correct fitting for the pressure tester so he wasn't able to pressurize the system. I did refill the reservoir to the mark on the side. I have probably put in a gallon of fluid over the last 500 miles which seems like a lot to me. 400 of the miles were towing a 9,000 lbs trailer. If I am not seeing signs of a leak could I be loosing that much through the cap?