Engine Coolant loss, Engine oil overfill

[ejtaintor]

Just bought a new '-08 Dodge 2500 Ram and pulled a camper trailer 2200 miles to the West coast. Within one week after arrival, the engine overheats going to work one morning and actually red-lined on the gauge. With a little care I got it to the local dealer out here and they pressure tested at 15 psig and could not find the problem. After the third time back to the dealer they found a broken hose clamp. Mentioned that the oil level looked to be way overfull also and should be looked into.

They drained out oil and now it is about 1 qt. low. Coolant fluid level still seems to be dropping. Will watch it for a few more days.

Are these dealers not savy on what these engines do?

Any help out there??????

Garland at Oceano, Ca.

 

[icman95]

So the oil is overfull and the coolant is low? Could the coolant be leaking into the crankcase, diluting the oil, and raising the level on the dipstick? A blown head gasket or other type of damage could cause this. I even had exactly that happen on an International truck and it turned out to be a bad cylinder. There are a number of possibilities the dealer should be checking before sending you on your way.

 

[ejtaintor]

This 6. 7L engine has the Bluetec design which I am finding out that the EGR system maybe dumping unburnt fuel back in to the oil. Not sure tho.

If any coolant was getting into the oil it would be turning milky. It is not doing that. Coal Black!

 

[sabersix]

I've had both problems. They sound like they are connected, but aren't. Check the overflow hose where it leaves the radiator on the passenger side. Mine was leaking from that hose. I put a zip tie on it and had no more leak.

The overfull oil is caused by fuel dilution. As noted above, the EGR system is forcing fuel into the oil. I've been tracking this with oil analysis. I take a sample each time the "change oil" light comes on which is usually 3-4K miles. Each time the fuel has been greater than 2. 0% (once it was 5. 5%!). Based on this engine characteristic, I'm changing oil more often, usually around 5K. Can't see going 10K with that much oil dilution.

 

[EB]

Check and see if the coolant reserve tank is over full. If it is you might have a leaking egr cooler. When I had that problem it would blow the coolant out the overflow line and it would come out the overflow on the reserve tank. A pressure check will not show that problem.



As far as overfull oil, it is probably fuel in your oil from the egr system. A oil analysis will confirm that or not.

 

[ejtaintor]

The coolant is being lost somewhere. The reservoir tank is dropping about 1/2" each day. No signs as to where the coolant is going. We checked the hose and tank and no leaks.

 

[sabersix]

It's hard to tell the overflow hose is leaking. 1/2" of coolant isn't much (but it does add up). All I found was dried coolant residue on the side of the air cleaner. Try putting a zip tie on the overflow hose right where it leaves the radiator cap area. It will take you only a minute and it may fix your problem. It certainly can't hurt.

 

[ejtaintor]

The zip tie is in place. Will be monitoring fluid levels for a few days to see if anything more changes. Thanks everyone for you help.

Garland

 

[Austin Diesel]

Climbing Lube Oil Dipstick Readings 2008 2500



yea i had a coolant leak on my 2008 when it was brand new was hauling firewood this summer looked like it was pink around the top of the overflow tank cap refilled it and topped it out, lost a little more asked my service manager at the dealer he said some trucks had leaks around coolant lines but never saw a puddle on mine. hasnt lost any coolant in a while ,ambient temp was over 105 degrees temp guage was running a little over 200 degrees, never overheated.



The turbo/cleaning port installed/EGR soot issue cleaned /service done,Flashed \ECM at about 13,000 miles ,dealer service manager said it was 5 ECM updates behind ,Nov 07 build date.



Mechanic said soot accumulation problem was not all that severe and he had seen worse. yet still triggered code.



I run engine brake all the time and try to drive it hard but cant drive 100 MPH around town or on the highway for fear of a ticket.



Now 2 months later at 20,000 miles, I have a check engine light coming off and on now.



Code 2262 turbo pressure sensor, Just barely a year old. dealer said he is trying to source a new turbo , Design issues ? maybe a recall is forthcoming ?



Will i continue to have recurring carbon problems with the Turbo/EGR/DPF/Exhaust next ?



I'm Hearing and reading the Big 3- 2010 models will have urea injection and exhaust revisions.



At least we have a lemon law here hope i wont need it .





fuel dilution . 5 %

soot. . 7%

water. . 1%



First oil change at 7,000 miles





FLUID ANALYSIS REPORT -

COMMENTS Data flagged for observation only; Oil Viscosity is low













Austin Diesel

 

[Jim Brewer]

I had the coolant disappearing problem this last weekend with the attendant large temp fluctuation. I read up on the TDR forums about what could be causing the problem and almost didn't sleep all night because I thought it was either an EGR cooler leak or a head gasket. Ugh!

Well, the other problem mentioned by sabersix was the coolant reservoir hose leaking. After refilling the radiator and reservoir tank, then driving around to heat the motor up, here's the video of what I found and a photo of the fix. Since it's not the horror story that others have mentioned, I feel like I just got an early Christmas present.

 

[sabersix]

Glad I could help - 9 years later!

 

[Jim Brewer]

Glad I could help - 9 years later!

Silly as it sounds, it's posts like yours that make me keep renewing my TDR membership. I can't tell you how much $$ I've saved over the 18 years I've owned Dodge Cummins trucks that are a result of member info on this forum.

Thanks!