2007 Western Star 4900 Mechanic issue

Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by AM 561, Nov 5, 2016.

  1. AM 561

    AM 561 Bobtail Member

    37
    31
    Oct 30, 2016
    0
    Got an engine overhaul on my 07 Western Star 4900 on August 25, 2016. It was on Warranty but by a third party and it was hell to get them to cover but they agreed to pay 7000 of total. Today I had to stop the truck because it start eating 2 gallon of anti freeze and at the beginning of the week and presently it has escalated to three gallon every 100 miles. I want to take it to Freightliner were they did the overhaul because I suspect is something with their work but I am afraid they might want to stick to me and push another issue... Maybe the turbo, EGR or something. I do not know we're the anti freeze is going as their is no leak... The shop is a Freightliner dealer and the only way one near me but they have very bad reviews and they took two months with my truck when they did the overhaul any suggestions on what to do. Please advise.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. sxdime

    sxdime Medium Load Member

    409
    551
    Nov 9, 2010
    Elkton MD
    0
    Well for starters if it using 3 gallons of coolant every 100 miles you better have it towed to where ever it is going to be repaired. If you go to get it warrantied and they see it has been run low on coolant it could turn into a problem for you. Secondly you didn't say where any of this was taking place? There is LOTS of Freightliner dealers in the US. Thirdly you didn't say what kind of engine you have in the truck. If you don't see it leaking more than likely it is burning it. Could be a cracked head, blown head gasket or such.
     
  4. AM 561

    AM 561 Bobtail Member

    37
    31
    Oct 30, 2016
    0
    Sxdime, the driver reliaze the consumption of antifreeze while on the road inspection 350 miles from terminal. Since he never over heated he continued to put anti freeze until he reached its destination. We are from southeast Florida. He never saw an over heat message on dashboard and driver put antifreeze as soon as he realized it was low as he stopped at 100 miles just to check. Truck is now parked at terminal. The engine is a Detroit 60 Series. Hopefully, we didn't messed with warranty. Taking it to the mechanic on Monday but I thought of posting just to get second opinion as I doubt the mechanic will admit to any wrong doing.
     
  5. MrBill103

    MrBill103 Light Load Member

    94
    56
    Jul 27, 2015
    Central PA
    0
    I just had this problem with my 09 Freightliner with the Mercedes engine in it. It was losing anti freeze but not leaking anywhere, turned out to be the EGR cooler. Maybe that would be worth a look. I don't know if it was related but the EGR valve itself had just been changed when the issue with the egr cooler happened.
     
  6. sxdime

    sxdime Medium Load Member

    409
    551
    Nov 9, 2010
    Elkton MD
    0
    Well hopefully it works out well for you. The mechanic may not be to blame for the failure. Parts fail and is out of any ones control.
     
  7. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

    7,575
    27,616
    Aug 18, 2007
    ~8600+' and loving it!
    0
    Just about guaranteed to be the EGR cooler. We ran 4 identical '07's and two of them had this issue multiple times.
     
    Terry270 Thanks this.
  8. AM 561

    AM 561 Bobtail Member

    37
    31
    Oct 30, 2016
    0
    If it's the EGR cooler how much does repair cost?
     
  9. Danny26

    Danny26 Bobtail Member

    8
    2
    Sep 29, 2015
    0
    EGR and turbo job cost me about 6k on my 07. So your looking around 2-3k I'm assuming just EGR. Pull the hotside pipe running from your EGR cooler to the intake. Look inside and see if you find coolant. That's an easy way to tell.
     
    Hammer166 Thanks this.
  10. AM 561

    AM 561 Bobtail Member

    37
    31
    Oct 30, 2016
    0
    Update: Took the truck to the Freightliner were I got the overhaul and after a day in they called and said that it was some loose clamps by the EGR and that they changed the radiator cap and send me on my way after paying the 550 bill; I find that incredulous. They assured me that they did all the test and found nothing.

    On my first trip now headed to NY... Wish me luck. :-/
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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