This all started happening around the same time. Last time I changed my oil I noticed I was leaking some. I was pretty sure it was coming from the valve covers and so a friend and I changed the gaskets(which took care of my leak) and when we were putting them back on we noticed a little coolant somewhere on the back of the engine. We assumed and still think its the head or intake gaskets. Not a day later the low coolant light came on and now comes and goes even though it is full of coolant. I had the coolant pressurized and it has a steady leak somewhere even though I never see any drips under the car when I look and its not in my oil nor is it coming out the exhaust. I also had it scanned and they said the only thing coming up was an injector circuit code?? My 95 doesn't even have 60k on the motor yet so I am just looking for any information on what might be the issue. I was told to get some dye and put it in the coolant and then use a blacklight to find the leak. I'd rather not spend the money to do that though. I already paid 150 for the head gasket kit and new bolts so I have all the parts waiting to go. I just want to be sure its either the intake or the heads before I tear it apart.

Also now when I start it it will die unless I give it gas. Not sure if this has something to do with it or not.

Please any info or advice would be very helpful.
Thanks

 

Unlike older small block chev engines, the lt intake is dry. The coolant leak is not coming from the intake manifold.

Besides the head gaskets, a possible source of the leak could be the steam pipe seals on the back of each head. They are each a banjo bolt set and the tube itself gets very fragile over time. You can expect it to break on removal. Anyway, the seals are on each side of each banjo....

 

Spending a bit of money now on the proper diagnostic equipment and procedures can save you a ton of money in the long run. You're say you don't want to spend any more money but you don't actually know what the problem is yet you already paid $150+ for gaskets and bolts?

Do a coolant pressure/dye test/compression test to determine what's going on first. Might save yourself a lot of anguish. Could end up being a $2.00 seal and 10 minutes of work. You said yourself you want to "be sure." There's only one way to be sure...

 

Pulling the heads at this point is highly premature. You have no diagnosis to lead you to that conclusion.

 

Ya I usually assume the worse. I'm probably going to go ahead and do the dye and compression tests and see what results I have. Any more advice/info would be greatly appreciated.

 

The dye is cheap and maybe someone has a light to borrow.

 

Take a look at your temp sensors, one on the drivers side head and one on the water pump. I had a slight leak so I put the front up on jack stands and started looking.

 

It's safe to say the sensors aren't the problem especially since the OP indicates he is LOSING coolant - obviously not an electronic issue.

Not to mention the CTS on the driver side head only drives the dashboard gauge and has nothing to do with the PCM.