Taking the plunge. My journey as an O/O.

Now, something else just came to mind. I had an oil sample taken during my last home time. I need to check the status of that sample and see if it has been processed. It might shed some light on things.

In addition, after a bit of talking with a few people, I have learned that there are low pressure fuel return channels running through the head. The excess fuel runs past the injector cups into low pressure lines in the head, and then passes back into the fuel tanks.

So, if there is a crack in the head, it could possibly lead to cross-contamination of coolant and low pressure fuel, in addition to coolant and exhaust gasses.

I'm learning more every day.

Pretty expensive lessons though.

We shall see what the warrantee company says soon, I hope!

 

OK, just got the results of the oil test performed during home time.

Oil tests positive for glycol. Sodium and potassium are elevated.

Welp, there we go. There is proof of coolant mixing to the oil, though apparently a minor leak as there is not enough to change the color of the oil yet. Cracked head is looking more and more definite.

 

Agreed, but in this case the leak into the oil was small enough that even the technicians didn't see visible evidence of it. Yet. I'm sure it would have shown up pretty quick if I'd just continued to add coolant, even if the crack didn't get any worse.

 

Another update.

Looks like we have a bad EGR cooler and a cracked head.
Costs for disassembly, testing, parts, reassembly, and testing are quoted at...

33,643.98

If the warrantee company will cover this, I'll have the work done and hop back on the road when it's done.

If not, we shall see. They have already indicated that they are satisfied with my maintenance records. If they choose not to cover it, they might simply write it off as a loss and I'll get a settlement from the insurance for loss of the truck. Yes, I paid for that insurance too.

Until then, I will sit here in the hotel and play video games while dealing with emails and phone calls.

 

This should be covered by the extended warrantee.

If it's not, then I should get money from the insurance on the truck when it is totaled.

I do not see a scenario where I pay for this.

If, somehow, it ends up that they do try to make me pay for this, I will have to do some calculations and see if I should just sell the truck for parts, pay the dealer for the diagnostic work, and get a personal loan for the balance of the loan after the 18k I have in the maintenance account is used to pay down the balance.

As I have said before, not worried yet. I want to be rolling, but I have been a good boy on maintenance, and I don't expect the warrantee company to try to screw me too hard when I have records proving I have been diligent in keeping the truck maintained.

It is very possible that I might become worried in the near future, but I'm NOT going to borrow trouble.