Coolant spray, need confirmation

[kad]

The ol'goat finally sprung a leak... well two really. I recently replaced radiator hoses (age and seepage). Today I noticed the temp gauge fluctuating (OAT 45deg, 65 mph for 12 min commute). It never overheated. Inspection revealed (this is standing at the grille facing the engine): coolant spray/mist on the block side of the alternator, air intake, and idler pulley. Coolant had also pooled on the horizontal part of the front cover passenger side. I'm thinking the water pump gasket is giving way under load/temp. Has anyone experienced similar coolant traces and are they consistent with water pump? I see no leaks when its shut down and there is no noticeable drop in the overflow level.

Thanks in advance... I've gotta take this thing 200 mi into the sticks next week



kad

 

[kad]

anyone? anyone? Buler? Buler?

 

[MMiller]

Check and make sure its not under the t-stat housing. Thats where my head gasket started leaking on my truck. Right under the t-stat housing, between the head and block, the head gasket is very narrow, and older style ones were prone to leakage. The new headgaskets have been improved.



I've seen very, very few water pump failures. I replaced mine just because a hundred thousand miles or so ago.



Get a cooling system pressure checker, pump it up to 3-4 psi more then the radiator cap is rated and check for leaks.



Michael

 

[PToombs]

New hoses, I'd double check, make sure they are tight.

 

[kad]

Thanks for the replies,

The "angle of the dangle" if you will, speaks to a source below the head gasket and to the center of both hoses. The mist/spray pattern is up and toward the pass side... the pulleys/fan probably throw the coolant up but the source seems to be below the head gasket... the block around the head gasket is dry, whereas the block at the junction of the front cover/block is wet. the bottom/side of the idler is wet as well as the 'inside' and bottom of the alt. The AC compressor is also wet. Seems like its a up & left pattern if looking from the front. The front cover shouldn't throw coolant if I understand this motor correctly?

I've dried it off and looked while idling and moderate rpms... no spray. For now it seems to occur at higher rpm/load??? Bugger!

Thanks



kad

 

[MMiller]

Well, there is an oil cooler there, that the oil filter base is bolted/made on to. That can be a potential leakage area, from below the head gasket. Its held on by a bunch of 10mm headed bolts.



Michael

 

[kad]

Thanks MMiller/PToombs,



The liquid that pooled on the front cover seemed more like coolant than oil... but I suppose if the oil cooler failed it could mix/dilute to a more ambiguous consistency? I will pressure ck the coolant syst and give the oil cooler a close looksy as well.

Thanks

kad

 

[MMiller]

I've never had the oil cooler off my cummins, but I've had them off a few Cats, and they are a water cooler for the oil, and it was possible to get coolant leaks from them. On a Cat however the coolant usually ended up in the oil pan when they leak.



Good luck, and let us know where its coming from. Knowing my luck, you're probably right.



Michael

 

[dpuckett]

ALso check your t-stat housing. They have been known to crack and leak too. Dont forget your heater hose return elbow at the top of the head by #1 valve cover (not that I'd check there for your particular leak, I've just had 3 of them spring on me at the most inopportune moments).



ALso dounbel check your hose clampings.



Daniel

 

[RTRAM]

I just replaced my second water pump. They are not that hard to replace, it takes about an hour with the hardest part being arguing with the belt tensioner. Mine was leaking for a while before it just let go. The weep hole is on the bottom of the pump on the passenger side. My original Cummins pump lasted 100 K, the cheap replacement lasted less than 10K, and the last Cummins reman lasted about 60K. I don't know why I am going through so many

 

[MMeier]

I just replaced my second water pump. They are not that hard to replace, it takes about an hour with the hardest part being arguing with the belt tensioner. Mine was leaking for a while before it just let go. The weep hole is on the bottom of the pump on the passenger side. My original Cummins pump lasted 100 K, the cheap replacement lasted less than 10K, and the last Cummins reman lasted about 60K. I don't know why I am going through so many

An hour... . come on it's a 5 minute job!

 

[kad]

Thanks to all who posted for my problem. I went through all the cks today and brake cleaned the entire area. Finally found the leak: the bottom part of the water pump housing to block mating area (this while standing on my head paying homage to the fan belt gods with a mirror and flash light)... no flow from the weap hole! It seems the o-ring finally gave out after 500K. When I got the old pump off I found the o-ring completely degraded. The guts on the pump still looked good. Installed a new pump from Cummins (ouch) and got a new o-ring to keep with the old pump as a throw down. Incidentally, the Recon pump they wanted to sell had smaller blades on the impeller and some funky cone welded on to them. The entire set up looked like it would flow less than the original design... so that was a no brainer.

Thanks again to all,



kad

 

[kad]

Now, its possessed,,,need exorcist!!

:{ O. k. so things are going down hill... the seal on the old water pump was leaking... replaced pump and seal and fixed the leak. Now its overheating! There doesn't seem to be any flow. Upper/lower rad hoses cool... cold air from heater... The pulley on the new pump turns freely and I changed out the thermostat. The temp gauge was fluctuating and the heater worked before I changed the water pump but it never overheated... I must be having a craniorectal inversion on this one help,



kad

 

[OKish]

air trapped in the system, you have to bleed it. run with radiator cap off, pump upse hose by hand, raise the front of the truck. do anything to get the air out.

 

[kad]

Air... of course. I should of thought of that.



Thank you,



kad

 

[Don Tanklage]

when i replace a thermostat i drill a small hole in the new one (if it does not have one already)



never done a cummins (yet... )



dont know if that will help ya or not



don

 

[kad]

It's fixed... thanks all. I burped the system this morning and she's back on track. This rig has been a jewel from day one, I know I shouldn't tempt Mr. Murphy by braggin on her but... , it's by far the most reliable workhorse I've ever had in my barn.

Great site, great people, and thanks again



kad