Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) '96 is thirsty... Disappearing coolant

[Rescue Ram]

Opinions and suggestions please,

I was fueling yesterday when I noticed the coolant reservoir bottle on my '96 was empty. :--) There was sufficient coolant 3 days ago at my last fuel stop. It took a total of 12 cups of fluid to refill the system. It now seems to be using 4-5 cups every 50 or so miles. There are no obvious signs of leakage. There are no overheating problems at this time, EGT's are normal, and exhaust color is normal. I have not had the oil analyzed, but it looks to be ok. I assume it is a bad head gasket. I have never had a head gasket go bad on any of the diesels I have owned. How do they behave? Any other ideas on what the problem might be?

Thanks in advance

Brian Z. Oo.

 

[DSiemens]

It might be an external leak. I had one near the thermostat housing. The antifreeze seeped down the side of the block.

 

[wsmalley]

Run it down the road, get it good and warm, then pull into somewhere with a nice and dry spot and check underneath for dripping. If the headgasket is blown you can also check for run-spots down the sides of the block. Also check the hoses and connections and around the water pump.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Rescue Ram,

Have you looked at your water pump seep hole to see if any coolant is coming out.



How about passenger floor board heater core could be leaking, mite be running out one of the drain holes.



Gasket between #1 and #2 is prone to leak. leaking from head, oil in coolant,coolant in oil, or coolant in cylinder. If coolant is going into cylinder you should be able to put your hand in front of tail pipe and feel/see moisture/coolant droplets on your hand (do this after engine as been running for a while).

 

[Rescue Ram]

I am certain it is not an external leak As I mentioned, I have never lost a head gasket on any of my diesels (or any of my vehicles). What performance issues should I expect to see with coolant in the cylinder? There is no sign of coolant in the oil and vice versa. This thing is becoming almost as big a nuisance as the GM 6. 5 I owned At least it has more than 20k miles

Thanks in advance

BrianOo.

 

[GAmes]

Originally posted by Rescue Ram

What performance issues should I expect to see with coolant in the cylinder?

Coolant in the cylinders turns to steam. Steam will melt aluminum pistons. I have a melted piston somewhere in my garage from my 150HP Johnson outboard, the result of a leaking head gasket. It is so melted you can not recognize it's original shape.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Originally posted by GAmes

Coolant in the cylinders turns to steam. Steam will melt aluminum pistons. I have a melted piston somewhere in my garage from my 150HP Johnson outboard, the result of a leaking head gasket. It is so melted you can not recognize it's original shape.

never heard of such a thing... all it does is "steam clean" them!



lots of turbo diesel guys inject water mist (which turns to steam) to PREVENT melted pistons!!! you had other problems IMHO.



Forrest

 

[GAmes]

Water mist, yes. Water in great quantities. . NOT! And if it was something other than water that only ruined one piston out of six in an outboard 2 cycle engine, please tell me what it was.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

may have had something to do with the fact that it was a 2 cycle? water in that hole means improper cylinder lubrication perhaps?



I've popped head gaskets between cylinders and water jackets on a few cars, and when I pulled the head, the only evidence was a squeaky clean piston... obviously you wouldn't want to drive cross-country like that, but it won't melt a piston...



Forrest

 

[Ajwalls]

My 2001 2500 seems to be losing some coolant also, took it to a Dodge dealer, checked it out could not find any problem or leaks. I am pulling a 9,500 lbs travel trailer, during some 109 degree temps in Idaho saw some hot (230 degrees) on guage, but cooled down right away, will keep checking.



Doing some studies on coolants, I came across the letters PCA levels referring to coolants. Does anyone know what this means, and how does one check on this? PCA levels suppose to determine the life of an engine-- help!



2001, 2500, 4x4, quadcab, bright blue, 3- guage piller post, fuel guage on steering column, BD ehaust brake, AFE cone airfilter, Edge chip.

 

[DSiemens]

Additives which prevent erosion of the cylinder liner/wall in diesel engines, are called sca, dca, pca. The life refers to the time span that the additive is useful in doing its job. The strength is usually tested with litmus test strips. Cummins 5. 9 does not require this additive.