Leaky Coolant Hose Behind Turbo

[mwilson]

Dan,

Sorry you got clocked at the Dodge Dealer. Mopar buys the parts from Cummins and then marks them up about 100%... ... before selling it to you. Irritating.



Maybe the local Cummins guy that you tried is not "B" series certified. If the dealerships don't train/certify at least one tech and buy the appropriate tooling then you do not get access to that particular engine series. If that hose is used only on a "B" engine and he was not certified he could not price or order it.



For the rest of you watching this thread, I think given this new info that you will have to go to a Cummins Distributor or to a Freightliner Branded Dealer to get low dollar access to the hose and clamps. All Freightliner dealers as far as I know are "B" series certified as we offer that engine in our trucks. Ask them when you call if they are certified for the "B" engines and can order parts for them.

 

[CDonaldson]

My dealer changed out the hose at about 5K miles under warranty. They did not use the new hose, they used the oldstyle hose and the new clamps. At about 40K miles it started leaking again. I did not bother wasting a whole day at the dealer, I changed it the second time myself.



When I changed out the hose, I loosened the pipe bracket mounted to the exhaust manifold and also the pipe mountings fwd along the block. I did mine from the top/engine bay side. It took all of about 30 minutes start to finish, less time than the drive to the dealership.



I drained the radiator down, close to a 5 gal bucket's worth, snapped a lid on the bucket to keep the coolant clean. Once the hose was installed/clamped down tight, I re-installed the piping bolts, filled the radiator, filled the coolant overflow, took a drive and got the engine warmed up good, put the last of the coolant in the overflow, job done.



I think it took longer to get all the tools together than it did to do the job.





CD

 

[ScottLewis]

Thanks for the guidance CD. I'll put your info to good use today.



I have an extended warranty that probably would have paid for all but $50 of the repair but that would have tied up the truck for at least a day and I just hate to let the dealer have it any longer than absolutely essential.



Dan

 

[ScottLewis]

Well, after several hours and a number of cuts and bruises, I finally got the rear pipe brackets loose and with a bit of judicious leverage got the hose off and started the new one on. Almost all of the time was spent trying to find the right angle to get the wrench/sockets on the bolts and clamps to remove them.



Since I retired many years ago, I've made a concerted effort to start my "work" day no earlier than 0900 and finish up no later than 1600. With an hour for lunch I have a generous 6 hours a day for chores like this repair. Today was a bit off since I spent 2 hours of that having breakfast with a bunch of old guys I used to work with so I didn't get it all done today.



Retirement is hell!!



Dan

 

[ScottLewis]

Well, I got it all back together and so far, no more leak. For me at least, possibly because the E-brake made access to it more difficult, it took a lot longer than I expected. If I had it to do again, I'd spend the $50 deductable and let my extended warranty pay to have the shop do it. Age makes many things more difficult. :{



Dan

 

[CDonaldson]

Well Dan, at least you managed to get the beast done - kudos to you. Having the right tools, and I do mean many of them for all those strange positions you have to get into, they play the greatest role in getting something done quickly or it taking all day.



I have the Pac Brake exhaust brake, it really was not in my way, but IT was the reason I chose the route/approach I did. I also have an aftermarket Road Armor front bumper, itgives you something to stand on, and that is/has been a much appreciated mod when I have to sork under the hood on stuff that otherwise is hard to reach.



I'm notthat far off retirement age, I DO know what you are saying, it just takes a little more planning to get stuff done, I guess that's why I have so many tools.





CD

 

[MrFixit]

All sounds good guys. I tightened these clamps a few years back and have not had a problem since. I have a factory E-brake to put on now and want to change this out before I install it.

Do we know if there are any online Cummins stores to order these parts to our doorsteps? I did a quick search but did not see anything right away. We have a Cummins CAL Pacific not too far from us but I never seem to have the time anymore to get over there.

Thanks

 

[mwilson]

Harbor Diesel in Long Beach is a Cummins Dealer according to the Cummins Cal Pacific website.



They look to be close to you. Mapquest says 17 miles but I realize that in California that it could take you a frigin' hour to get there. #@$%!

In Maine that is a 12 minute trip... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...



Says that they are medium duty certified. Give that a try.



Harbor Diesel & Equipment

537 West Anaheim Street

Long Beach, CA 90813

(562) 591-5665 engine cert: Medium & Heavy Duty

OEM: Independent

service level: Full Service

application: Truck



Mike

 

[MrFixit]

Thanks Mike, I have one even closer in Irvine, an actual Cummins facility. But like you said. . getting there can be a nightmare Maybe the place in LB would ship to me. I'll give them a try
Thanks for the info
Ramon

 

[E2360]

Moving the rear pipe is the fix I chose. Have to remove the fasteners on both sides of the engine (left and Right). The drivers side takes a little contorting to get too. Put hose on the rear pipe and then slid it onto the front. New hose fits tighter than the old one with the foil on it. Used a little plumbing grease to help it slide. Make sure you drain the coolent first!



If it leaks again i think it will be to the dealership and the deductable on the extended warrentee. Not a hard fix, just not real rewarding... .....



Thats my 2 cents.

 

[JCockerill]

anyone know where you can order these parts online?

 

[mwilson]

Wow, I just did a quick search and came up with zip.

I did not realize that.



I can get them for you but it may not be any cheaper than going with Dodge by the time I ship them to you.

I will gladly check shipping rates when I return to work Monday. UPS has gone up some since March but still not a bad deal.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Wierd

This is wierd... Came home from a 48 at the firehouse & the ambulance this morning, and noticed a spot under the mega cab. Crawled under thinking it was transmission related and realized it was coolant. Did some looking and found this thread. Hadnt posted till tonight though. Called dad and he can get the hose for 5. 15 and each clamp for 94 cents. He's gonna pick em up Monday and put em in a flat rate box for me. Less than twelve bucks for the fix. Dodge stealership wants 28 bucks for all of it. I can wait a few days no problem. I tightened up the worm gear clamps for a temporary fix.

Craig

 

[seafish]

So you guys, it's kind of hard NOT to notice that in this thread (at least so far... ), EVERYONE who has this leaky hose is drivng a 2006 year of manufacture. So I am kind of driven to ask if anyone knows whether the turbo coolant return hose, or the routing of said hose, or simply the design of said hose, or EVEN the quality of manufacture of said hose (ie bad run of said hoses at one of the oem supply factories) was CHANGED in some way in 2006.

I guess I am just cruious if you guys think that the leaky hose is a design issue or simply a manufacturing QC issue??

TIA

 

[mitchC]

I have an O6. Mine leaked shortley after I bought Ive tightened it a couple of times and have driven it 125000 miles since. no leaks

 

[mwilson]

Wrong clamps from the Cummins factory. Worm clamps don't work on silicone style hoses very well. Correct clamps don't have open slots in them.

Also on mine there was a tin foil type sleeve or coat on the OEM hose. There is no sleeve on the Cummins replacement hose.



The new clamps are constant tension squeeze type as well so they can't loosen up from expansion and contraction.

Combination of the above two issues, I think. No problems since I changed it out.

 

[outatym]

I'm have problems removing the driver side hose. Can someone tell me where to disconnect it from?

 

[JCockerill]

both of my local cummins dealers has a hard time locating these parts no warehouses stocked them. said they had to special order from factory and i had to pay $15 freight on top of $6 hose and $1 clamps. not bad. dodge dealer wanted $22 for just the hose and said i didn't need clamps! un-real! After all the experience i have had with dodge parts and service, i truly hate dodge dealers - and avoid using them at all cost! I wish i could just go the the cummins shops for everything on this truck, much nicer to deal with and they are knowledgeable about the product.

 

[FStanco]

Mine is an 07 Mega. Got it in 06 around Thanksgiving. It has same hose that needs to be replaced with updated one. FYI. gonna take care of it in few days.

 

[timelessconstructionllc]

My 06 same problem. I couldn't figureout why I was having to add a quart or so of coolant to the reservoir every couple weeks.