Archived Oil in water

[scotmartin]

I am posting this for my buddy, Ray in Houston.









I have oil in the coolant in what in a big way... Short version of story oil pressure droped off suddenly so I shut off. Very little oil in pan and overflow full of oil along with radiator... No Antifreeze in the pan though... and it wasn't hot I put my hand on the intake right after it happened and the motor was cool...



BTW it is a 92 reg cab 4X4 with a Getrag 150k miles... . and the truck is 100% stock...



I am sure I caught it when it happened because I had just checked the oil about 2 hrs before this. . and I also put two more gallons in and started it drove it up on the trailer and had pleanty of oil pressure...



Now I have heard all the Head Gasket stories but I have no water leaks from what I have found. So I am looking elseware...



So does anyone know about the oil cooler, where it is located, what is it made out of and how it is plumbed ... . this is where I was going next but need some advice.



Help.....

Anyone got any ideas...



Ray

 

[lschultz]

It sounds like your oil cooler has sprung a leak This happened to a 91 I had. If I remember its located on the RS of the block behind #1 cylinder. There not that had to change. I did not do mine cause it was under warranty but I saw the mech. pull it out. Over on Dave Fritzs site he has some pictures of it. I thought thats where I saw them

 

[Bob4x4]

The oil cooler is behind the oil filter. Remove it and you can pressure test it for leaks quite easily.

Bob

 

[wannadiesel2]

Oil in the water

I just had my mechanic call me about my "oil int the water" problem I posted a few days ago. The news was not good. Bad head gasket and crack in #6 hole. The oil ccoler had been changed on mine before I got it. The cooler is about 300. 00 plus gaskets and it is located behind the filter as the man said.

NOTE: Look in the radiator with the motor running and see if there are any bubbles in it. If there is find a good mechanic.

 

[RHancock]

Well I signed up ... Thanks to all for the help I will pull it apart this evening and check the cooler. I dont think it is a head gasket as I didn't get any bubbles or coolant in the oil... . I will let you know what I find... . Ray

 

[scotmartin]

Bout time you signed up!!! :--) :{ :{

Scot

 

[RHancock]

Ok I pulled it apart and it was the cooler... whole lot easier than I thought... I really like the design but wish they had soldered it better..... The local Freightliner dealer has them in stock 210$ not as bad as I thought price wise... BTW not only is the local Freightliner dealer the cheepest arround for Genuine Cummings parts they are also open 24/7... .....

 

[scotmartin]

The way you drive, you need the local Freightliner dealer on speed dial.



Scot



P. S. Don't worry we are friends!! Oo.

 

[RHancock]

BTW I did program it into my cell phone... .



For all those reading this Scot ( the bum) and I have been Friends for over 10 years... In fact I got a speeding ticket the day before my wedding in his Dodge flatbed... . long story and that was years ago...



I have been hanging arround in the wings for a while and you guys have helped a lot with my Dodge... Thanks again Ray... .

 

[wannadiesel2]

Make sure when you get it all cleaned out you put in some DCA so electrolisis won't eat up the new one, and the block.

 

[RHancock]

What is DCA ????

 

[Bob4x4]

DCA is a cooling system additive that we do not need. It's job is to fight cavitation in diesels. By design we are good to go with out it.



Bob

 

[wannadiesel2]

Bob I am told by my mechanic that we do need it and that ALL diesels by design have electrolisis. It is caused by the expansion and contraction of the cylinder walls as the piston fires. Why would you think "we" don't need it. Additionally, what would it hurt to have the extra protection. Have you rebuilt a 5. 9L lately? It is very expensive!!

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by ArnoldM

Bob I am told by my mechanic that we do need it and that ALL diesels by design have electrolisis. It is caused by the expansion and contraction of the cylinder walls as the piston fires.

The phenomenon you are describing is "cavitation", not "electrolysis". Wet sleeve diesel engines are most subject to cavitation. The "B" series Cummins is a parent bore (sleeveless) engine and is not. It does not need DCA.



Electrolytic corrosion is caused by a difference in electrical potential between two surfaces, often caused by the presence of dissimilar metals. Standard ethylene glycol coolants protect against electrolytic corrosion with their corrosion inhibitor packages.

Why would you think "we" don't need it. Additionally, what would it hurt to have the extra protection?

DCA protects against cavitation by plating a sacrificial coating onto the cooling jacket surfaces. As cavitation takes place, it erodes the coating, not the parent metal. This coating is replenished by the coolant as long as cavitation inhibitor is present - that's why coolants are tested for DCA dosing levels.



If you don't need a coating on your cooling jacket surfaces, why have anything there that might inhibit heat transfer, even minimally?



Rusty

 

[Bob4x4]

Thanks for stepping in Rusty,Maybe Arnold should find a more knowledgable mechanic.



Bob

 

[wannadiesel2]

More on Oil in the water

Hey Rusty and Bob, thanks for all the info. I am supposed to have the best diesel mech in this part of the country. Doesn't mean he might not be a little confused. However, I have talked to other "diesel drivers" that say ALL diesels cavitate. I read the article in the info pack I received from TDR about cavitation and that it was NOT an issue. Anyway, cavitation or electrolisis don't cause cracks in the block like I had in mine. I believe that came from water in the cylinder from the leaking head gasket. If I tell the mechanic I don't want DCA in the system he won't guarantee his work. I would like to hear directly from Cummins about the subject. I could take that info to him and not provoke an unpleasant discussion if you know what I mean. DCA or not I sure would like to hear it run again someday!! Thanks again.

 

[RustyJC]

Well, one source for coolant information would be the owner's manual for your Dodge Ram. I believe it recommends ethylene glycol. Another source would be Cummins Southern Plains. I went to the Houston shop to purchase their recommended coolant for the ISB and walked out with ethylene glycol - they specifically said that the Cummins ISB does not require, and they do not recommend, coolant that contains DCA.



Rusty