Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) coolant issue

[baileyfarms]

2001 3500 ,k&n filter, 4 inch exhaust with pac brake, chip ,Pulling a loaded 3 horse trailer in 106 temp, coolant dissapeared from the overflow bottle, engine started to heat up. Cleaned radiator fins and refilled overflow bottle continued to use coolant until outside temp dropped turned off pac brake and backed off speed, Engine ran fine could not see any water in oil. Any ideas? This was on a 1000 mile trip.

 

[baileyfarms]

checked again in the daylight and saw coolant leaking from the exhaust manifold at no. 1 piston. I am thinking head gasket.

 

[HBarlow]

I think head gasket problems were not uncommon on the '01 HO engines, perhaps all 24 valves. My old '01 developed a slight coolant seep from the front of the head gasket on #1 cylinder. It was easily cured with a new OEM Cummins head gasket. Head surface did not require resurface. I worked the engine hard with RV275 injectors and frequent egt at sustained 1300° on long grades pulling trailers.

 

[ata]

If the coolant is coming out around where the exhaust manifold bolts to the head you more then likly have a cracked head. The crack will be under the valve in the exhaust port. Not uncommon

 

[baileyfarms]

Thanks for the info will check the head for cracks.

 

[Dluttrell]

We had a few school buses do this very thing. You got to see the actual exterior leak. As you know tracking down the ones with intermittent internal leaks is harder. Salvage yards will start to see some older school buses come in if they offer more than the scarp yards will for junk rates of the metal. Check out local school systems for auctions of school buses no longer needed. Sometimes school bus dealerships have too many trade ins sitting around and would like to move them. You never know where you'll find a cummins engine for rebuild projects. School buses are usually well maintained service wise so this would be a good option for the future.

 

[baileyfarms]

Got the head back from the machine shop. no cracks the guides were worn they were replaced. it will go back with studs and a pulse manifold and a S&B air cleaner . Good by K&N