Help! Oil leak on a trip.

noir77 · 02-09-2015, 08:21 AM

We're on our way to New Orleans from New York, passing through PA, and our '04 International IC3000 has begun to leak oil. It's not a fast leak, so we can cover some distance by putting more oil in every time we stop, but we are looking for a repair shop that does work on school buses without charging the balance of my entire bank account. (Unfortunately I don't think I have the ability to fix this myself.) Any recommendations for shops that might be along our way would be appreciated!!

EastCoastCB · 02-09-2015, 08:29 AM

no idea about shops but where's the leak look like its coming from?

noir77 · 02-09-2015, 08:35 AM

It's hard to see, but somewhere up inside the engine block, above the metal plate which is the lowest point in the engine. Sorry if that's not very descriptive! I don't know much about the names of parts. Another question: should the oil pressure gauge be all the way up? Or what's a good reading for that to have?

EastCoastCB · 02-09-2015, 08:43 AM

My 466 reads just under 50 at cold idle and once it gets up to operating temp its around 20 at idle.
My engine seeps oil out of a few places. I've looked at it and had it looked at and it isn't worth fixing yet. I do plan to have it addressed before driving across the county. Your engine and mine are a bit different. But as long as you're not losing enough to cause an amergency just stay calm and keep an eye on it. Try to figure out how much it loses in "x" amount of miles.
And if and when you can, try to get a picture of the leak or the area of it.

jazty · 02-09-2015, 09:28 AM

@noir77: For these engine specific questions it's good to post what you have for an engine. Do you know?

HolyBus · 02-09-2015, 09:49 AM

Get up under there when it has cooled off. Mine has a vent tube that is supposed to blow excess fumes. It leads down the passenger side of my DT360. My old straight 6 53 chevy had the same.

cowlitzcoach · 02-09-2015, 11:53 AM

Before you start throwing $$$ at the problem I would go somewhere and get the engine cleaned off completely.

Once everything is clean you will be better able to determine where the oil leak originates.

It could be something simple like a hose connection that has come loose, a leaking pressure hose, or a bad gasket.

The seal behind the front pulley has been known to start leaking after a lot miles much like the rear seal. If it is either the front or rear seal that could get very expensive quickly. Using a high mileage synthetic diesel service oil might help rejuvenate the rubber parts and seal things up.

I have also seen the front cover get stress cracks and start leaking.

In other words, determine where the oil is leaking before you start any remedies.

noir77 · 02-09-2015, 12:58 PM

Thank you all for the tips! I just got the bus, don't know the engine model but it's a ford. It didn't come with a lot of information unfortunately, and I don't have a lot of experience with big diesel vehicles, I'm just trying to get it home so I can start converting it and get the engine all tuned up. In the daylight it was easier to see and I'm suspecting the gaskets on the pan that comes out to let you change the oil. Going to tighten some things and try to keep trucking along until I can get it somewhere to figure things out better. Thanks East Coast for reassuring me. Wish us luck

crazycal · 02-09-2015, 05:09 PM

Your first post says International and your third post says Ford. It is very unlikely that you have an International bus with a Ford engine. I understand that you just got the bus but you really should know more about what you have if you expect to get any real information to solve your issues.

serpent · 02-09-2015, 09:57 PM

You might think it's a Ford motor because Ford used Navistar's PowerStroke diesel engines during the mid-late 2000's? Did someone tell you it was a Ford motor?

noir77 · 02-10-2015, 06:04 PM

Crazycal and serpent, I was told it was an engine which Ford produced for International. I was looking for more general information about dealing with an oil leak, which people immediately gave (thanks!!)

As I said, I'm not experienced with these types of vehicles. I don't even know how to go about finding out the engine model. Figuring it out as I go along and learning something new every minute. Looks like the leak is not serious and I can wait till I make it to New Orleans and steam clean out the engine so I can find the source of the leak. Thanks again for responding so quickly everyone.

jazty · 02-10-2015, 06:28 PM

Is the engine blue?

There is always a tag somewhere on the engine that identifies it. Try the right hand side.

If you can figure out what the engine is we can provide you with specific places to look for the oil leak as well as how to fix it, how difficult/expensive it would be to fix, or if it's even worth fixing. Different engines have different weaknesses (and leaky points).

crazycal · 02-10-2015, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noir77

Crazycal and serpent, I was told it was an engine which Ford produced for International. I was looking for more general information about dealing with an oil leak, which people immediately gave (thanks!!)

As I said, I'm not experienced with these types of vehicles. I don't even know how to go about finding out the engine model. Figuring it out as I go along and learning something new every minute. Looks like the leak is not serious and I can wait till I make it to New Orleans and steam clean out the engine so I can find the source of the leak. Thanks again for responding so quickly everyone.

Start by posting some pictures of the engine. Also, newbies are welcome here but don't tell anyone else that Ford built engines for International. You will quickly find yourself in a straight jacket and maybe a free stay in a padded room. The faster you learn about your bus, the sooner you won't get screwed when getting stuff fixed.

charles_m · 02-10-2015, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noir77

I'm suspecting the gaskets on the pan that comes out to let you change the oil.

I hope you don't take off the whole pan to change the oil! There is a drain plug for that!! You're going to learn a lot of stuff really fast, so read a lot, remember what you can, and don't be afraid to ask questions!

You HAVE to find out what your engine is. Just take some pictures and post it. Most of us on here could tell you from just a pic or two of each side.

What year is your bus? Make sure you're using appropriate 15W-40 motor oil in your bus! Diesels need the heavier duty oil.

Good luck out there amigo

serpent · 02-10-2015, 11:59 PM

...my guess is that you have either a Navistar/International VT365 or Maxxforce 7 motor (also known as a PowerStroke (6.0/6.4L) and previously used by Ford); and crazycal is right unless you like straight jackets. *grin*

Take some pics of the motor. Find the ID tag.

There's definitely someone here that can help. ...and each engine does tend to leak on their own accord. ;)

noir77 · 02-11-2015, 02:00 PM

The engine says 2003 model T444F engine family. I've been trying to upload photos but I'm on a mobile device and so far hasn't worked. Would that be the ID tag I'm looking for? It's right on the engine which is, indeed, blue.

noir77 · 02-11-2015, 02:08 PM

* sorry it says T444E not T444F.

noir77 · 02-11-2015, 02:10 PM

Navistar T444E
Overview
Manufacturer Navistar International
Also called Ford PowerStroke diesel
Production 1994-2003

So would that be the engine model I guess?

crazycal · 02-11-2015, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noir77

Navistar T444E
Overview
Manufacturer Navistar International
Also called Ford PowerStroke diesel
Production 1994-2003

So would that be the engine model I guess?

Yes. If ever asked what engine when asked by parts dept, say 444E.

EastCoastCB · 02-11-2015, 04:41 PM

That engine tag should also give the HP rating.

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