Uh oh, I've got a lil problem... Coolant Leak when plugged in

[CoreyPerez]

Here is the situation folks,



3 Days ago I plugged in the truck for the first time (for me) and I seem to have developed a little problem (I think)...



I plugged in the truck at about 8p and the weather was about 50-55deg but was supposed to get cold that night. It ended up only dropping about 10 deg that night and when I got out in the morning there was about 2 - 3 quarts of fluid on the ground under the truck! I had no idea just what it was at the time, I looked under the truck, no visible leaks, and when the hood was open, there wasn't any thing around where I thought the leaks would be coming from. I had just changed the fuel filter the night before & I thought that could be the problem, only the leak area was P/S Front, vs. D/S Rear of the engine. Well everything looked all right, but I did hear a "boiling noise" which I figured was from the heater heating the coolant or oil.



Next morning, same thing, just a smaller puddle, and when I parked the truck the next night (last night) there was a small puddle where it was before I re-located it into the drive way. This time I crawled into the engine compartment because this had to be coming from SOMEWHERE! And this time I seen that it was anti-freeze. Well I found it, there is a small hose / pipe that comes out of the radiator hose/block connection on the P/S front of the engine. It looks like the hose that leads up behind the oil filter may be leaking, this hose leads into the heater core. Now my question:



This isn't some sort of "Over pressurization" thingie, or boil off valve in this area is there? I've never had a problem until the night I plugged this in, and there doesn't seem to be a problem unless the truck is plugged in. Also notable, this truck leaks less and less each day that I plug it in, but its also been getting colder.



Repair Options: Although just a length of 5/8 or 3/4 heater hose (about 4") and some new clamps may fix the problem (Good time to change the coolant & put in some new additive huh?) I'm wondering if there is more to this than what it looks like. Is this a special part from Dodge/Cummins? I'm thinking that the 45 degree elbow right next to this leak may be a special part...



Thanks for any suggestions,



Signed:

Lost & Leaking



(Corey):{ :{

 

[illflem]

You're right about the 45° being a special part, priced accordingly. The rest is just heater hose. I've never had my block heaters register on the temp gauge even after several days running in warm temps. Don't think the block heater could cause a boil over, just not enough watts. If the coolant was to boil over it should come out into the reservoir unless your radiator cap is allowing too much pressure to develop in the system. The cap could have caused the leak by not releasing pressure, you may want to check or replace it. It could be that you've had this leak for awhile but never saw it because you were driving as your coolent warmed, block heater changed that story.

 

[ata]

Corey Please don`t leave a puddle of Anti-Freeze on the ground. A Dog or Cat might drink it and it will definately Kill them.

As for the hose it`s just got old and soft and no matter how tight you get the clamp it will just keep leaking. It probably leaks all the time but it`s such a small amount when driving the truck you don`t see it. When you have the Block heater hooked-up it keeps just enough heat to keep pressure in the cooling system to push the water out and puddles under the truck. I hope you have been adding coolant to the system keep it full.

 

[CoreyPerez]

Well thanks folks, It looks like I may just replace the hose. I didn't really want to have to drain the coolant, but its better here vs. somewhere between NC & Utah!



As far as the dogs & cats, I always wiped it up, and hosed it down. I don't really like the neighborhood pets, but I'm not out to kill them!



One last question. Where can I get this additive for the coolant when I replace it? Any suggestions on the process? I will most likely just drian the radiator and go that route, I don't think I'll actually flush the system due to the work load I've already got on me.



Thanks,



Corey

 

[Bigramguy]

You don't need to get any special dealer part to fix it. There are two 90 degree elbows up front,if you have an auto. They are just regular 5\8" elbows which most parts houses have in stock. A dayco part number would be 80400. If they don't carry dayco stuff,they should be able to cross it over to another brand,or most good parts guys can just pull one off the shelf. They may be a little bit longer on each end,just cut to fit. The one from the front of the motor to the steel heater line is easy to replace,the one behind the alternator is a little tougher. Alt removal may help.



If the other ends are leaking they are just short pieces off 5\8" heater hose,cut to length. Try to reuse the original factory spring type hose clamps as they maintain a constant pressure and do not loosen off.



Best bet would be to get two elbows,and about 3 ft of good quality green stripe heater hose,all in 5\8",and do them all,including the rear heater hoses,the little pieces at the lower rad hose area,and the ones on the heat exchanger under the manifold. If one is gone,the others probably aren't far behind. Should't take more than an hour to do tops. Don't bother trying to save to old hose,just cut it off. This will prevent damage to the heater core tubes.



The Cummins doens't really need any other additives except a good quality coolant. If you aren't going to flush it,then just drain it at the lower heater hose connection,near the lower rad hose. when you change it. That will get most of it out.

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

I'm with Master Bill on this one. Check out that radiator cap. If its not working ,what you have is a pressure cooker with no relief valve. Somethings gonna give. Good luck.

 

[Todd T]

Corey it sounds like the guys have you on the right track.



i just wanted to add you can by an adapter that has two plugs coming out and one that plugs into a standard 3 prong outlet.



they are called "The Cube" around here. what they do is automatically turn on and off with the outside temperature. I believe it comes on at 35F and back off above that. they cost about $10 and you can get them at Lowes Home Imp. or a local farm supply store like Rural King or Tractor Supply.



I use one on my truck and dont have to worry about using power to heat it, when its not needed. just plug it in everynight and forget about it



just make sure its plugged in outside, and not sheltered by your garage or something like that

 

[pwknapp]

Amen on the replacing the cap every once in a while. Mine quit working on a long run in cold weather. After sitting all night not plugged in (truck stop) I started leaking fluid at the back of the head to the outside world. Also radiator would not pick up fluid from the resevoir. New cap and two bottles of bar seal fixed 'er up.

 

[barryg41]

Originally posted by Todd T

Corey it sounds like the guys have you on the right track.



they are called "The Cube" around here. what they do is automatically turn on and off with the outside temperature. I believe it comes on at 35F and back off above that. they cost about $10 and you can get them at Lowes Home Imp. or a local farm supply store like Rural King or Tractor Supply.



just make sure its plugged in outside, and not sheltered by your garage or something like that

Hey Todd, is "The Cube" temp setting adjustable?