Bubbling in coolant reservoir tank

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Tomek373, Jun 9, 2025.

  1. Tomek373

    Tomek373 Bobtail Member

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    So i got bubbling in my reservoir tank. It only happens when engine is cold , once its warns up it goes away . I have 2021 t680 x15 with 331k miles and 8k engine hours
    Anyone had this issue?
     
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  3. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    Usually sign of blown head gasket

    unless you have worked on coolant system and have air trapped inside.
    If not probably head gasket.
     
  4. Tomek373

    Tomek373 Bobtail Member

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    Wouldn't it be constantly bubbling tho?
    It only happens when cold and then it goes away also its not pushing out any coolant and i am not getting any coolant in my oil ( i do oil analysis after each oil change
     
  5. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    Pull the overflow line off, secure a rubber glove over the cap as well as nipple that goes to overflow line. If you can’t get glove over both plug overflow line for test. Start it and walk away. If it fills glove it’s gonna hurt. If glove stays limp your ok.

    let it run 45 minutes or so
     
    Tomek373 Thanks this.
  6. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    Combustion gasses leaking into the cooling system create pressure and bubbles, which can be seen in the overflow tank.

    It’s not always but cummins run a lot of pressure, mine does..
    How To Diagnose and Repair a Cummins Head Gasket - Diesel Power Products Blog
    mine would bubble cold, then as it got to operating temp it’d suck the coolant back out if reservoir tank at idle then show low coolant, drive it and it’d go back into the tank.
     
  7. Tomek373

    Tomek373 Bobtail Member

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    Hmm my doesn't do that but when i start it cold the coolant level only slightly goes down and then gets back up with temperature rising. You think maybe bad egr could cause temporary bubbling in the system?
     
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