losing antifreeze

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Oscar the KW, May 5, 2012.

  1. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

    12,247
    28,119
    May 19, 2011
    0
    Left out of Laramie headed east, just about to the top of Sherman and the buzzers started going off for high water temp. Backed off the throttle and it started to cool down, get to the top and the buzzers went off. It was only 68 degrees out. Got down to Cheyenne no problems and headed south to Denver, hit some traffic and the water temp started climbing and would not drop below 200. Head east out of Denver with the sun going down and all seemed normal, stop in Colby, KS and check water level. None, reservoir is completely empty, no signs of leaks anywhere. The only thing I can think is it has to be burning it right?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. blanco

    blanco Road Train Member

    1,221
    296
    Nov 20, 2009
    Gwinnett County, GA
    0
    What is the model of truck make an engine type
     
  4. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

    12,247
    28,119
    May 19, 2011
    0
    05 W900 550 accert cat
     
  5. gunner76

    gunner76 Medium Load Member

    500
    137
    Mar 11, 2010
    IA
    0
    are you getting white smoke out of the exhaust? That is alot of coolant to loose and if there was an external leak I would think you would notice some residue somewhere. I'd fill it backup and let the truck run for awhile and watch for leaks.
     
  6. Nevs

    Nevs Light Load Member

    295
    107
    Dec 25, 2010
    flyover country (Iowa)
    0
    If you find the cause, let me know. My '05 MXS 550 goes through between a quart to a half gallon a week. No leaks, not going out the overflow tube, so my guess is it's burning it. I have 2 1/2 years remaining on a Cat OPT overhaul and neither Cat or Peterbilt(where the overhaul was done) will do a thing about it. They tell me they have to have a "real" reason to tear it apart. If they don't find anything then it's my bill to pay. Some warranty! Since it was gone through last July,(6 months after the original overhaul, cracked head on #1 cylinder and head gasket on #5 cylinder) I've gone through over 15 gallons of extended life coolant! But there's no problem! Sorry for the rant and hijack! I hope you find your issue.
     
  7. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

    7,296
    6,032
    Sep 2, 2011
    NEPA
    0
    Check your oil and make sure it's not milky looking. You may have coolant leaking past a cylinder liner seal into the oil. Could also be a blown head gasket. With the cap off, look into the coolant reservoir with the engine idling. If you see the coolant bubbling, then you've likely got a blown head gasket.
     
  8. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

    7,296
    6,032
    Sep 2, 2011
    NEPA
    0
    Burning coolant will show up in an oil analysis as a high sodium level.
     
  9. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

    7,031
    8,624
    Sep 3, 2010
    0
    Have you checked to see if it is getting into your fuel or oil?
     
  10. Kansas

    Kansas Road Train Member

    2,541
    2,585
    Apr 14, 2009
    aircap, Ks.
    0
    Burning up in the EGR cooler?
     
  11. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

    12,247
    28,119
    May 19, 2011
    0
    Oil looks good.
    Fuel looks good.
    Lucky for me I have no egr.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.