Internal coolant leak based on oil samples

Discussion in 'International Forum' started by gabton-tankers, Jan 20, 2015.

  1. gabton-tankers

    gabton-tankers Light Load Member

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    Diagnosis: 3 oil samples indicating that coolant leak has been minimized but is still evident. Pls see attached image. Is this cause for a head gasket needing to be replaced? Im thinking of doing a pressure and dye test to see what the problems are and where its coming from. Any other diagnostic steps i should take?
     

    Attached Files:

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  3. sdaniel

    sdaniel Road Train Member

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    Head gasket, oil cooler, or EGR cooler if equipped?
     
  4. gabton-tankers

    gabton-tankers Light Load Member

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    According to the report the potassium remained constant but sodium has decreased. Which indicates that there is no coolant leak? Unless these are coming from the diesel fuel?
     
  5. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    What year and engine do you have? Head gaskets rarely cause just coolant traces in the oil. Usually failed head gaskets cause pressure in the coolant. I would suspect in order of likely hood, egr cooler, oil cooler, liner oring, head gasket.
     
  6. gabton-tankers

    gabton-tankers Light Load Member

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    2007 international 9200i. Caterpillar c13 engine.. What kinds of tests or diagnostics should be done to find culprit?
     
  7. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    This is one problem with oil analysis. The trace amounts are so small we can't do any solid diagnostics. You would remove and pressure test the oil cooler, but the leak could be so small it would pass a pressure test. It could also be a leaking gasket for the oil cooler and those generally get destroyed during disassembly so again you really can't pin point. You could remove the oil pan and pressurize the coolant system and let it sit for hours to wait for one lonely coolant droplet or nothing because the engine has to be at operating temp for the leak to occur. I believe your engine has an intercooler which is a coolant cooled heat exchanger after the turbos. Those are also common for leaking. You could remove the outlet piping and looking for any coolant traces. Usually white chalky residue. Suspecting a headgasket would be dead last. Again, usually the coolant is over pressurized if the head gasket goes.
     
  8. gabton-tankers

    gabton-tankers Light Load Member

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    If this could be an indicator, the coolant reservoir cap keeps spitting out coolant and you see dry coolant residue drying out of the reservoir. Would that indicate over pressure on the coolant system?

    We have replaced the pre-cooler as well with a new one. At one point we had to clean the turbo pipes because of coolant residue (white pinkish chalk) was inside it causing low to no boost. We had to clean the pipes and the turbo boost went back to normal.

    the last thing we did was change the oil pan gasket.
     
  9. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    To see if the pressure is building in the cooling system you would install pressure tester on the reservoir and then run the engine up to temp and see how much pressure builds up. The air compressor can also cause this. Usually you would remove the air discharge line from the compressor if you are getting excessive pressure in the cooling system. Normally you will see about 7-10 psi of pressure. If the head gasket or compressor is failed you will get much higher, like 15psi or higher. A lot of those plastic caps do leak though, make sure the reservoir is not over full too.
     
  10. gabton-tankers

    gabton-tankers Light Load Member

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    Hello HeavyD, I finally got my fouth oil sample and have found that potassium are still in high levels 600 compared to last time (see image). I had my mechanic do a pressure test and removed the oil pan...waited 1 day to see if there are any radiator leaking but have come up empty handed. I suggested a dye test but not sure if that is a possible route. My a/c compressor is a goner so I have to get a new one. So your explanation might be indicative to that. The leak is probably just a sliver but it presents a collection of radiator fluid in long periods of time.

    View attachment 79073
     
  11. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Hmm. Still a guessing game at this point. How much coolant do you have to add? Is it going down much?
     
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