Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

'13 ISX15 oil in coolant.."HEAD SCRATCHER"

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Dexx69, Apr 25, 2018.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Apr 25, 2018 #1
    Dexx69

    Dexx69 Bobtail Member

    28
    5
    Mar 14, 2012
    Swanton,vt
    0
    I've been fighting oil in my coolant the last couple months. I've changed the engine oil cooler, removed the trans cooler and done flush after flush on the coolant system and it keeps coming back.. So I gave in and brought it to the shop, they pulled the pan and pressurized the coolant system over night, it only lost 1lb of pressure and the only leak they found was back under my bunk. The engine is a 13 isx15 that's been deleted and turned up for about a year the engine, only has about 300k on it since it was rebuilt at 282k.
    We're At the point of scratching our heads on this one.. any ideas?
     
    Dexx69, Apr 25, 2018
    Dexx69, Apr 25, 2018
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. Apr 25, 2018 #2
    Rounded_nut

    Rounded_nut Light Load Member

    92
    107
    Feb 25, 2018
    0
    Rounded_nut, Apr 25, 2018
    Rounded_nut, Apr 25, 2018
    #2
  4. Apr 25, 2018 #3
    StrokerTSi

    StrokerTSi Medium Load Member

    532
    777
    Aug 28, 2016
    0
    Why would they pull the pan to check for oil in the coolant? Brilliant mechanics these days. Not familiar with the ISX but I assume coolant and oil pass through the head gasket, so possible head gasket issue or cracked head?
     
    StrokerTSi, Apr 25, 2018
    StrokerTSi, Apr 25, 2018
    #3
  5. Apr 25, 2018 #4
    Dexx69

    Dexx69 Bobtail Member

    28
    5
    Mar 14, 2012
    Swanton,vt
    0
    They pull the pan and oil filter, then pressurize the coolant system in order to see where the coolant is leaking.. cheaper than pulling the head for no reason.
     
    Dexx69, Apr 25, 2018
    Dexx69, Apr 25, 2018
    #4
    Klleetrucking Thanks this.
  7. Apr 25, 2018 #5
    daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

    6,564
    7,293
    Apr 15, 2012
    0
    You are missing heat.
    What if the "crack" only opens when the engine is hot?
    That would explain it.
     
    daf105paccar, Apr 25, 2018
    daf105paccar, Apr 25, 2018
    #5
  8. Apr 25, 2018 #6
    StrokerTSi

    StrokerTSi Medium Load Member

    532
    777
    Aug 28, 2016
    0
    You pull the pan to find coolant in the oil, not oil in the coolant.
     
    StrokerTSi, Apr 25, 2018
    StrokerTSi, Apr 25, 2018
    #6
    mslashbar and RET423 Thank this.
  9. Apr 25, 2018 #7
    Expeditor

    Expeditor Medium Load Member

    451
    530
    Mar 5, 2018
    0
    Had a international 466DT that did that to me. It was the injector cups. Dont know much about the ISX.
    Sorrry it was fuel in the coolant, not oil, on my International.
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2018
    Expeditor, Apr 25, 2018
    Expeditor, Apr 25, 2018
    #7
  10. Apr 25, 2018 #8
    pushbroom

    pushbroom Road Train Member

    1,777
    7,253
    Sep 1, 2012
    0
    Oil cooler is the usual suspect. I know it has been replaced but I would be begin by removing the oil cooler, testing it as an assembly submerged in hot water. When you installed the new element did it have gaskets or orings? Sometimes a gasket will slip sideways and not get caught when the new cooler element is installed.

    You said the trans cooler was removed. Any power steering cooler installed? Truck is a normal 5th wheel setup or a one off specialized oilfield rig or something? Is it for sure engine oil?

    Now this is getting into the crazy stuff. The next culprit would be head gasket/head. I have seen one, but it is very very rare. Could not find any damage or cracks on the head but replacing it did solve the issue.
    I have also seen a turbo put oil into the coolant. I was able to pressurize the coolant passages and catch it leaking out the oil drain. You cannot pressurize the oil passage as it may blow the seals out. Yet again this is super rare.

    I would be sure to pull the oil cooler and double check before I went anywhere else with troubleshooting.
     
    pushbroom, Apr 25, 2018
    pushbroom, Apr 25, 2018
    #8
    Heavyd, RET423 and spsauerland Thank this.
  11. Apr 25, 2018 #9
    Dexx69

    Dexx69 Bobtail Member

    28
    5
    Mar 14, 2012
    Swanton,vt
    0
    The kit came with the race track style gaskets. I believe the tank test is the next step the shop is going to try as it has been recommended by a Cummins guy we know. he said test the whole thing at like 100psi in a hot tank.. no ps cooler, it's a normal otr truck.
    I do remember back when I did the oil cooler that the v band clamp looked to have oil on it on the hot side.. but I'm not sure if that was just penetration oil I had sprayed on the turbo nuts..
     
    Dexx69, Apr 25, 2018
    Dexx69, Apr 25, 2018
    #9
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

    • Page 1 of 2