ISX coolant consumption problem

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Captain Canuck, Dec 27, 2010.

  1. Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    Apr 7, 2007
    Woodstock, NB, Canada
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    My 2006 Peterbilt 379, Cummins ISX engine, has used 4 gallons of coolant this week. It does not appear to be leaking anywahere, but when the truck is running, you can smell hot coolant around the passenger side. The low coolant light never comes on while running, but only after being shut off for 12 hours or more. I'm guessing EGR cooler?

    I just bought this truck 2 weeks ago and am making a list of things the dealership should have fixed before I took delivery. It still has 2 years of full warranty left on everything attached to the engine.
     
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  3. canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    you sure the rad isnt pressuring up and pushing it out of the overflow tube??
     
  4. REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    Dueling Banjoville
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    EGR Cooler....

    You could be burning it
     
  5. Injun

    Injun Road Train Member

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    West o' the Big Crick
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    I can only go off my own experience on this. Ask your mechanic to pressure test the radiator, but don't stop there. After the leak down test, leave that pressure guage screwed onto the radiator and run the motor until the thermostat opens up. If your coolant system overpressurizes, you may have some serious problems with that engine. Mine turned out to be a cracked head. In my case, wet coolant was being pushed out the exhaust pipe.

    Are there other symptoms of a motor that just isn't quite right? Like a lope at idle, poor power, coughing under strain or when shifting? That's what mine was doing, on top of losing a gallon of coolant per 500 miles toward the end. Look for splashes of coolant on the rear of the cab, catwalk, quarter fendersover the front drives...or where ever the exhaust eliminates. Also look for indications of water running down the pipe itself. A cracked head will not necessarily cause oil/water exchange. That's why it was so difficult to nail down with mine.

    It was a Detroit 60 Series, but same components nonetheless. And I sincerely hope it's not that major.
     
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  6. Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    Woodstock, NB, Canada
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    I don't think it's coming out of the overflow because there is no sign of coolant on the ground. As far as other symptoms, it idles very smoothyl, pulls like Jack the Bear, and only stuttered once when shifting the day I got it.

    Since it's about -11 celsius out I just went out and fired it up for an hour or so. When I first started it, the CEL and low coolant light were on. A few minutes ago, both were off, which leads me to believe that the coolant had expanded enough with heat to trip the sensor. There was still a pronounced smell of hot coolant near the EGR fittings, so I really have to assume that the leak is in the EGR cooler.

    The reservoir is nearly empty, so I'll have to throw another gallon in it before I take it back to the dealer on the 29th. I called them on the 23rd to let them know and they said they will make it right.
     
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  7. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

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    Just take off the EGR tube where it bolts to the intake pipe and have a peek. If it is wet with coolant slime, you probably have a bad EGR cooler.
     
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  8. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    california norte
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    Same problem, 400 ISX, shut engine down for several hours, small puddle on ground-- a few drips, and go to start engine, alarms go off that Low Coolant Event has occured. After warming up the tank is a little higher, and alarm goes off by itself. I told the shop about it and I think they did a flush and fill-- will tell them about it again in a few days here when I get home. Keeping an eye on it in the meantime-- no overheating issues, runs like a champ etc.
     
  9. seanhodges

    seanhodges Bobtail Member

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    Dec 3, 2010
    St.Charles Mi
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    We have a gravel train company and have a lot of the isx 565's and they have all had the egr replaced same song same dance. Don't worry easy fix.

    Sean
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2010
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  10. pval2571

    pval2571 Bobtail Member

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    May 21, 2009
    Clarence, NY
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    Mine's done it twice, cooler both times
     
  11. niners77

    niners77 Light Load Member

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    Jul 23, 2010
    Waterford, CA
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    My W900 with an ISX was doing the same thing, turned out to be a water valve, and the mechanic said that it was the reason that the truck had been leaking small amounts of coolant over the last couple months. That valve is made of plastic!
     
    Magnum1 Thanks this.
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