DT466e Possible Coolant Problem

[geminusprime]

So I was driving today on a test drive, and figured I'd stop by autozone and top up my coolant since I didn't quite fill it up to the line the week before, and could always use a spare jug of the stuff "just in case".

The coolant chamber was nearly empty, about 1/4 full. I filled it up to the line and bought an extra gallon.

Took it on the rest of the drive, did push highway speeds at 2650RPM for around 30 minutes, with an additional 30 minutes of 2200RPM at 45MPH. After this I checked the coolant level again, and it had reached about 2/3.

I'm concerned about this, although after cranking it up again and doing some more drives at 2500RPM or lower, the coolant level was at the same spot.

No smoke from exhaust, but there is some light smoke coming out of the oil fill pipe. White and barely visible, but there.

I also see a rather new wet spot on the bottom left side of the DT466 (if you're facing it and the radiator is facing you) where the coolant line goes into the engine, so I'm hoping that's the source of the leak.

I tried running the engine with the coolant cap off, the coolant did not drain immediately, and stayed at the same general level at idle to 1500RPM under no load for 10-15 minutes.

There is also no smoke coming out of the exhaust when started, I've been checking that on a weekly basis and none have been seem.

[EastCoastCB]

It takes alot of effort to burp the cooling system of a bus!

Does the vapor coming from the oil fill tube smell sweet?

Also check for vapors coming from the blowby tube.

[rensch26]

Originally Posted by geminusprime

No smoke from exhaust, but there is some light smoke coming out of the oil fill pipe. White and barely visible, but there.

I also see a rather new wet spot on the bottom left side of the DT466 (if you're facing it and the radiator is facing you) where the coolant line goes into the engine, so I'm hoping that's the source of the leak.

If you're looking at your engine from the front, the bottom left side is going to be your oil cooler. Your coolant runs through it to draw heat out of the engine oil. It's a long cylinder looking thing.

It may be helpful if you took an oil sample and sent it in to Blackstone Labs in Fort Wayne, IN. They can tell you if you've got coolant in your oil. Also a really good peace of mind to have. You can get the oil sample kit directly from them.

[geminusprime]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

It takes alot of effort to burp the cooling system of a bus!

Does the vapor coming from the oil fill tube smell sweet?

Also check for vapors coming from the blowby tube.

The vapor doesn't really smell sweet, kind of just plain old industrial fumes but barely that. Nothing at all coming from the blowby.

Originally Posted by rensch26

If you're looking at your engine from the front, the bottom left side is going to be your oil cooler. Your coolant runs through it to draw heat out of the engine oil. It's a long cylinder looking thing.

It may be helpful if you took an oil sample and sent it in to Blackstone Labs in Fort Wayne, IN. They can tell you if you've got coolant in your oil. Also a really good peace of mind to have. You can get the oil sample kit directly from them.

Pretty sure that's it, it matches your description. Long tube thing going from front to back on the lower left hand side of the engine block.

Just got the sample kit last week, gonna take a sample this week and send it in.

[geminusprime]

So been try to do my best to solve this during our current week long rainstorms. Despite it seeming like it's the oil cooler, my local district said I also had a leak in my cab heater...which is directly over the area where coolant is leaking. I also did some tests and it seems I do lose much more coolant when the heater is running, although this may be flawed as I did drive different distances.

[cadillackid]

bus heater cores are norotious for leaking... as are the hose connections going into the main heater... all 3 of my busses have had really small seepage leaks around the heater hoses connecting one of the heaster cores or the coolant booster pump.. ive fixed all but one. (my 40 year old bus needs a new main heater core).. by simply taking at least 1/2 turn on the hose clamp screw..
-Christopher

[geminusprime]

Pulled the cover off the cab defroster cover today, sure enough not only is there a leak in the hose coming from the coolant pump and into the heater core, but the hose going into the T is also bent and leaky.

Guess where both are leaking out of - right over the oil cooler on the bottom of the engine.

At least the area is accessible from in the cab with the engine cover off with the rain we've been getting in upstate SC.

[AaronTSchultz]

Can someone help with my issue. I have coolant leaking from the hose that runs from the Transmission cooler on the allison3060 to the radiator. It drips and flows pretty bad. I have yet to get it changed as while I'm driving the temp never went above about 185-190. Now however I notice that while I am warming up the bus and doing a few revs the temp sensor remains low until I shut off the engine, then the coolant gauge goes up to normal operating temps. I have been running the bus here and there with the coolant gone as the bus has not been overheating at all.

Any thoughts or help on this issue? maybe a stuck thermostat. The back fan on the bus constantly runs and really never shuts off. It does increase at times, but I figured because it was a pusher the low fan speed was just to draw new air in for the combustion/venting of the engine compartment.

[Shorty22]

Need some help as well-
1996 International 3600, Runs great, but suddenly the heater doesn’t turn on- it just blows lots of cold air.
I kept the passenger heater in the bus- just checked the coolant hoses in the main bus last month and they all looked good- but I’m wondering if any one has a manual that shows where the engine parts are that I can check?
Possibly debris is blocking something in the engine compartment since it’s been sitting for awhile? Or possibly a leak in the engine- hopefully not a heater core issue...
Not a mechanic- want to learn to self diagnose- the manual I found online doesn’t show heater core images.
Help? thank you!

[Shorty22]

Self diagnosed successfully just fidgeted with the fuses and voila!
For future reference-
My bus has been sitting for awhile and I want to know your recommendations for the following routine maintenance for a mostly sitting automatic diesel skoolie:
Oil change
Coolant flush
Transmission oil flush
Fuel filter change
Etc...?
Thank you!

[Shorty22]

Hmmm...front driver heater is working but the rear passenger heater is still blasting cold air.
No visible leaks in engine compartment near coolant lines.
Help again?
Thank you!

[johnbloem1974]

Did you double check that all of the heater valves are open? On mine, there are 2 in the engine bay (1 on driver side and 1 on pass. Side) additionally, there is one in the driver area by my feet on the left side. Mine look like regular water valves, but other may be different types...

John

[!eslie.brewer.me]

How much is the oil test?

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

blackstone labs is around 10-12$ or was for each sample.

[!eslie.brewer.me]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

blackstone labs is around 10-12$ or was for each sample.

Wow! That's great! Thank you