2000 Cat C12 coolant in oil

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by ichudov, Jul 23, 2019.

  1. ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    Thanks. One more question. There was a lot of antifreeze spots on the dipstick. However, when we drainedthe oil, it appeared solidly black with no drops of antifreeze in it. How can I detect antifreeze in this drained oil?
     
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  3. SL3406

    SL3406 Medium Load Member

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    The antifreeze is heavier than oil. Given enough time it will settle to the bottom. There is also going to be a lot of green slime on the valve covers and valve train area if it was ran much with antifreeze in the oil. I'd want to clean that out the best you can while the pan is off.
     
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  4. ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    I heated up a steel plate and poured some of this oil on it. It started boiling then stopped. Then it started smoking like oil. I added more oil to this hot oil and the water in it boiled again. So I am sure there is antifreeze in this oil indeed.
     
  5. ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    Great news!!!!!!!!!!!!! We dropped the pan, pressurized that antifreeze to 12 PSI, and found out the issue!

    This is definitely the water pump!!! As soon as pressure was applied, antifreeze started dripping right under the water pump!

    I feel so thankful and the people who participated in this discussion are GENIUSES worth of tremendous respect!!! My BIGGEST and HYOOOOGEST thank yous go to all of you!
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2019
    SL3406, spsauerland and Goodysnap Thank this.
  6. ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    OK, a few questions!

    1. We already drained the oil. However, there is still remnants of oil and antifreeze in the engine, so I wanted to flush it. I would, of course, change the oil filter first.

    I am a scrapper and I have a lot of clean, used hydraulic oil. Can I fill the engine with this hydraulic oil, add a gallon of diesel fuel, and idle the engine for 5 minutes with this, and then drain? Will that flush the old oil.

    2. I would like to also flush all antifreeze and fill the truck with new red antifreeze. Can I flush the system with plain water after draining original antifreeze? (and changing antifreeze filter) Meaning, can I run it on plain water for a few minutes?

    3. Should I preventatively change old coolant hoses, such as the big hoses to the radiator, hose under the overflow tank, etc?

    4. Should I do the oil sample analysis on the old oil, to see if it has evidence of bearing wear and such?

    5. Maybe I should also replace the alternator belt at the same time?
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2019
  7. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    I would not use the hydraulic oil. Just buy cheap engine oil if your gonna flush and dump it. Adding diesel , kerosene or mineral spirits up to say 10% should help clean it out good.

    Hoses are a good idea to look over or replace whenever you have a cooling system failure like you have. If there is oil in the coolant, the situation is far worse though. Everything rubber swells and is ruined.

    Flush the cooling system with cascade liquid dishwasher soap. Dont be shy.....it wont bubble up and holds alot more water than your dishwasher. Make sure your using premixed
    ELC or distilled water with 100% on your final fill.

    If your worried about bearing wear now is the time to drop and inspect a couple rods and mains. I ussually pull #1 and #4 of both to inspect. If those look good all the others are likely Ok. Otherwise sample moving forward on the next regular oil change for metal.
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2019
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  8. ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    Thanks a lot @Goodysnap!

    I will sample this oil and I will sample the new oil after a few months also.

    Will oil pressure of the running engine tell me anything about bearing wear?
     
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  9. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    Generally speaking as bearing clearance increases oil pressure decreases.
     
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