Major Coolant Leak!

[KPancake]

Just happened to look at the truck while it was running this evening and noticed a nice and steady stream of antifreeze coming down on the passenger side behind the inner fender liner. i have looked and cannot find anything. it eventually quits when i shut off the engine but only after several minutes. Are there any hoses or connections up under that liner towards the back right of the block? It is leaking down the transmission as well. I doubt if it will make it to the dealer because these are pretty good size puddles. I am going to go look some more and hopefully find something. Truck has only 15000 miles on it. ANY input would be helpful at this point. Thanks.



Chris

 

[B-52]

Sounds like only two possibilities:



Check the coolant line connections going to the heater core. There are 2 metal lines which run just above the exhaust manifold. Short lengths of hose connect these to the heater core @ the firewall. You should be able to see if these are leaking with hood open and engine running.



Other possibility I know of is a freeze plug in the block or head. If you have driven for a while with one of these leaking, the ejected coolant could blow back onto the transmission.



Either way, with only 1500 mi. I would let dealer correct it. Not sure how far closest dealer is for you - if not far, you could probably drive it there by first topping off cooling system with DISTILLED water - make sure to take some extra with you.....



Good luck

 

[Bob Wagner]

don't forget to unplug the EZ and leave it at the dorm

 

[Joe Mc]

Chris,



You've spent a great deal of money with a dealer for your ride, which only has 15,000 miles . . . Don't touch it, it's under warrenty. Get on the phone and tell them to send a rollback to pick it up. Don't forget to mention that when the rollback arrives it better have a "like and kind" (same as your truck) loaner or you'll turn it away. You never know If you talk to the right person pleasently firm enough, emphasizing on how much you paid and it's still under warrenty they might do it. If they refuse to pick it up, then ask if they will replace the engine when it's damaged driving it in, or if they will cover the cost of a rollback as part of the warrenty repair.



No need to dirty your hands if it's covered, you spent a lot of $$$ on it and shouldn't have to unless you want to play of course.



Good luck.

 

[KPancake]

Update on leak

B-52 nailed this one. It is a freeze plug in the back of the head on the passenger side corner. Now that we know the problem, i need to know how it will be fixed. The dealer is getting called tomorrow morning and we are gonna make them pick it up on a flatbed and see what they can do. My question is: Who does that kind of warranty work?(a cummins shop or dealership?) Does the head have to be removed? I would assume so because it is way in the back. Has anyone else had this problem? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get a handle on things. Thanks again. You guys are great.



Chris

 

[KPancake]

Update on Coolant Leak

The truck is currently at the dealership and have yet to hear what they are going to do. A local towing company hauled it to the dealer on a flatbed. We used the 24-hour Roadside Assistance number and the flatbed was there within a half an hour from the time DC was called to the time the truck arrived. I must commend DC on this one. Will keep updates posted as they come in. Thanks.



Chris

 

[wyosteve]

Someone else had this problem about a week ago. Might do a search. Seems to me the replys said all it takes is a hammer and pound the freeze plug back in.

 

[pete b]

I had the same problem. It was a frost plug on the rear of the head. The dealer covered it. The repair requires that the head be removed. I have about 2000 miles post-repair with no problems.

 

[KPancake]

Originally posted by pete b

I had the same problem. It was a frost plug on the rear of the head. The dealer covered it. The repair requires that the head be removed. I have about 2000 miles post-repair with no problems.

Pete,



Thanks for the reply. That is exactly what is wrong. The dealer has it now and is fixing it. I know that dealerships are all different, but how long were you without your truck? Did they say what caused this problem? Thanks.



Chris

 

[pete b]

Chris,



I spoke with a couple of mechanics and they all said that it is a problem with the machine that installs the plugs, in other words, ithe plugs are not installed by hand and when one is a bit tilted or off, it doesn't seat correctly. They said it is not a common problem and have seen about 6 or so in the dealership. The whole project took about 3 days because they had to order the plug. If they have it in stock I would think a day would be fine. After you get it back expect the coolent level to drop a little the first day or so... you might have a little air trapped in the system.

Mine started the leak at about 7,000 miles.



pete

 

[danandamy]

Man, just the thought of the dealership pulling my Cummins' head off... .....

Oh, sorry, I'm sure everything will be just fine, don't worry about it



Dan

 

[KPancake]

Originally posted by danandme

Man, just the thought of the dealership pulling my Cummins' head off... .....

Oh, sorry, I'm sure everything will be just fine, don't worry about it



Dan

Well, the dealer got it in the shop today and has the parts to fix it. So instead of taking the head off and fixing it now, they are waiting for a new tool that supposedly lets you install the new freeze plugs without removing the head. Although the wait will be longer, I think it will be well worth the wait. It really helps when you know the mechanics and can trust them. Thanks.



Chris

 

[KBarrett]

Corroded Freeze Plug

Recently had to replace a freeze plug on my '97 2500 (123,000 miles). The plug had a hole near the bottom caused by corrosion. This was the only corroded spot on the plug, the rest of the plug looked like new. I had to get the plug from Cummins, none of the part stores had it. I changed the plug myself along with a friend, (not a one man job) it was a pretty good challenge since it is located on the right rear of the engine just above the transmission cooler and right beside the exhaust pipe. We had to remove cooler just to be able to hit the plug straight. Thank goodness for our new lift. Was told by a trusted big rig mechanic that the problem with the plug could be the coolant, he told me that they get test strips to anaylis the coolant, he told me to use only low silicate anti freeze (not prestone). I didn't know what kind of coolant was in my truck since I just purchased it used. If anyone has more info on this subject please reply.