Coolant leak and fan Clutch troubles

[CToney]

Today I was hauling a neighbors tractor on our triaxle trailer w/ my truck approx GVW ~22,000lbs. I had my winter front on with the two holes open. I was driving about 55mph and my egt's were at no higher than 1100 or so preturbo up a good grade in fourth gear in which I never had to shift out of. The temp gauge normally runs just under the line that is a third of the way in the normal zone. I remember in my old truck that the fan could be heard cutting in when this happened but I didn't hear anything today. I made it home ok with the gauge slowly creeping up and moving back down. No problem right. Once I got home I noticed some fluid on my front diff. I checked it out and it was antifreeze. Rad hoses etc. were fine but it seemed to be leaking from between the head and the block. Head gasket? It is not a bad leak but just a few drops. I can see some scale left behind where the antifreeze evaporated off the block. The leak is right at the front underneath where the alternator bracket is. I need some ideas on what the problem might be and how to fix it as well as so tips on the fan clutch.



Thanks a lot.



CR Toney

 

[farmall]

When you say alternator bracket it makes me think thermostat housing. Check and see if the gasket for the t-stat has not gone bad and is leaking. Bill

 

[Grey Wolf]

Have you checked the weep hole on the water pump yet?

 

[R.E. Miller]

Sorry...

I hate to break this to you, but that sounds like the classic B head gasket leak. I see these engines at work, and if they leak, that is one of the most popular places... right underneath the thermostat housing. Make sure you do check to see if it is in fact the head gasket and not the thermostat housing. My 1992 dump truck leaked in the same spot when I first got it, bummer. It isn't too bad of a job to fix, and actually, you might be able to drive for a little bit before it gets too bad. Don't get discouraged either, there is a new headgasket that seems to solve the problem.



Russell

 

[MMiller]

Do like I did. Remove the alternator top mount and then presurize the cooling system. I pumped it up to 17 psi, radiator cap is set to 15 on my truck. I then unforunatly witnessed coolant seeping out of the head gasket under the stat housing. Hopefully I can find some time this weekend to fix it. I have a current posting on it in this forum maybe you have seen it.