Leaks. Like, a lot of them. 😱

mrmchoohaa · 04-03-2018, 04:44 AM

Hi guys.

So, I made it from south Louisiana to the Calgary area with absolutely no problems. It took a few days, but it went very well. After I got to my destination, the bus was parked in front of the house for a couple days before I needed to use it again. Naturally, there's snow everywhere. This allowed me to see, when removing the bus, that there were leaks all over the place. Various colors. I'm fairly certain it's motor oil, diesel, and coolant. Possibly transmission as well. All of it it was in the front Footprint of where the bus was parked. I'm at least 15 miles from a service area. I found this out because I was going to take a quick trip and fill up on diesel. I got a couple miles away, but turned around and went back out of fear. All the gauges were completely normal. It did feel like it was riding a little strangely, and I'm pretty sure that was the transmission.

I'm trying not to completely lose my mind and freak out. I'm just a little battered from the process of purchasing and traveling. I don't know what I'm going to do if it's something very serious.

The couple that I'm house-sitting for have recommendations in Strathmore, Alberta. I contacted the official Napa location, as my mechanic is a Napa Certified mechanic. I can't afford to keep spending money left right and sideways on this thing. I won't have anything left if I keep doing this.

Can anyone give me a couple words of encouragement or have you had this experience before? Like I said, all of the gauges were completely normal. I'm not going to let this shatter me. I can't and I won't.

Michael
www.michaelspetandhomecare.com

JDOnTheGo · 04-03-2018, 04:56 AM

Enjoy the adventure! Or, in this case, the hunt!!

I've been trying to find/fix my leaks for more than a year. Someday, I will have them all fixed and then my life will be empty....

Ha!

mrmchoohaa · 04-03-2018, 06:32 AM

Oh Lord.

I'm f***ed.

Rivetboy · 04-03-2018, 07:04 AM

Buy some foamy engine cleaner crawl under neath and squirt it good then spray it of real good and start it up and see where the leaks are coming from. Acommon place to leak transmission fluid is the seal on the tailcone of the transmission. Oil out the vent tube if it is a high mile age engine. Oil leaks front and rear is usually seals this can be a big job because of disassebly required. Anti freeze leaking maybe a shot water pump or leaky radiator hose.
You need to clean to see where it is leaking and then go from there.

Rivetboy · 04-03-2018, 07:11 AM

Mine leaked to but I beat it into submission.

TrailLifeBill · 04-03-2018, 07:15 AM

If it were mine, one of the first I would address is the hose in pic 5 with the red hose wire tied over the black. It's got a pretty good bulge at the fitting. Fortunately, it's got a screw type hose clamp.

Miles O Roads · 04-03-2018, 08:09 AM

Degrease and look over it well. Have been told trans put some ac dye in it then look over with black light. I doubt it will do anything for the fuel. Coolant put a pressure tester on it pump up and wait and watch.

mrmchoohaa · 04-03-2018, 08:18 AM

Wow. It looks so clean.

BurlKing · 04-03-2018, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmchoohaa

Hi guys.

So, I made it from south Louisiana to the Calgary area with absolutely no problems. It took a few days, but it went very well. After I got to my destination, the bus was parked in front of the house for a couple days before I needed to use it again. Naturally, there's snow everywhere. This allowed me to see, when removing the bus, that there were leaks all over the place. Various colors. I'm fairly certain it's motor oil, diesel, and coolant. Possibly transmission as well. All of it it was in the front Footprint of where the bus was parked. I'm at least 15 miles from a service area. I found this out because I was going to take a quick trip and fill up on diesel. I got a couple miles away, but turned around and went back out of fear. All the gauges were completely normal. It did feel like it was riding a little strangely, and I'm pretty sure that was the transmission.

I'm trying not to completely lose my mind and freak out. I'm just a little battered from the process of purchasing and traveling. I don't know what I'm going to do if it's something very serious.

The couple that I'm house-sitting for have recommendations in Strathmore, Alberta. I contacted the official Napa location, as my mechanic is a Napa Certified mechanic. I can't afford to keep spending money left right and sideways on this thing. I won't have anything left if I keep doing this.

Can anyone give me a couple words of encouragement or have you had this experience before? Like I said, all of the gauges were completely normal. I'm not going to let this shatter me. I can't and I won't.

Michael
www.michaelspetandhomecare.com

i'd for sure address the pic mentioned before with the buldge and hose clamp. looks like there might be zip-ties and rubber fastened further up the hose possibly to try and seal another leak in the hose but it might not be working right. i would check your hoses and clamps and the make sure all the caps on your oil check, tranny check, etc.. is tight.

mrmchoohaa · 04-03-2018, 08:50 AM

Dumb question. How do I check the fluids on my engine? I have been trying to get a manual for this engine.

BurlKing · 04-03-2018, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmchoohaa

Dumb question. How do I check the fluids on my engine? I have been trying to get a manual for this engine.

your engine oil dipstick is right by the transmission fluid dipstick in red. the circular silver thing with a small handle is the oil. untwist the handle to loosen the pressure, then pull it out. wipe the fluid off, put it back in and then you'll have the level. it should read on the stick if you need more or if its right on. don't forget to tighten the handle back up when you put it on.

mrmchoohaa · 04-03-2018, 09:00 AM

Thank you. I was embarrassed to ask. I actually am pretty great with cars, but this is very new to me.

I've been trying my best to gather info online, in both print and video, on the ins and outs of maintenance.

I've tried contacting Navistar directly for the manual, but it appears that no one has been active on the social media for a long time.

I want to know everything I can. I'm going to get an appointment at "County Auto Repairs" in Strathmore, but that's 25 miles from here. My biggest concern re fluids, is that the tranny is okay.

Any ideas on the yellow-ish and red leaks?

Thank you all for helping me feel less idiotic.

Michael

Miles O Roads · 04-03-2018, 09:19 AM

If leaking like that please make sure to check all before you drive again,including coolant.

George · 04-03-2018, 09:35 AM

Hang tough Mike
I am south of Strathmore but I am busy for a few days with clients.
Before you do anything check all the fluids including power steering.
Make sure everything is topped up and remember transmission is checked when running and hot so the level when running cold should be below the add mark but barely.
I agree with another poster about the swollen hose , if it has a misty spray all sorts of things get washed off the engine. Maybe run the engine and look at that hose under pressure...
Did you get the antifreeze tested before you came up here onto the tundra?
County auto repairs has been around forever but is expensive and keeps the school busses in our area on the road.
If you can wait until Friday I can can have a quick look although I am not a licensed mechanic.
George

BurlKing · 04-03-2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmchoohaa

Thank you. I was embarrassed to ask. I actually am pretty great with cars, but this is very new to me.

I've been trying my best to gather info online, in both print and video, on the ins and outs of maintenance.

I've tried contacting Navistar directly for the manual, but it appears that no one has been active on the social media for a long time.

I want to know everything I can. I'm going to get an appointment at "County Auto Repairs" in Strathmore, but that's 25 miles from here. My biggest concern re fluids, is that the tranny is okay.

Any ideas on the yellow-ish and red leaks?

Thank you all for helping me feel less idiotic.

Michael

No problem! Nobody knows everything. You also add oil to it through that dipstick too, unlike a modern car where theres a seperate place to funnel it in.

The red coolant should only be transmission fluid unless they put in ag/construction fuel in your bus. Which is the red dye diesel, nothing wrong with it being red.

The yellow is more than likely coolant, which is probably coming from that suspected hose, or a bad seal/gasket on the water pump.

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Jdawgsfanasty · 04-03-2018, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmchoohaa

Thank you. I was embarrassed to ask. I actually am pretty great with cars, but this is very new to me.

I've been trying my best to gather info online, in both print and video, on the ins and outs of maintenance.

I've tried contacting Navistar directly for the manual, but it appears that no one has been active on the social media for a long time.

I want to know everything I can. I'm going to get an appointment at "County Auto Repairs" in Strathmore, but that's 25 miles from here. My biggest concern re fluids, is that the tranny is okay.

Any ideas on the yellow-ish and red leaks?

Thank you all for helping me feel less idiotic.

Michael

Think of the bus as a car...after wheaties...bigger parts but same basic set-up...good luck

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mrmchoohaa · 04-03-2018, 10:10 AM

If you think you could help, I'd be forever grateful! I've sunk a huge portion of my meager savings into the purchase and subsequent mechanical check for my trip here.

The shop can't see me until Friday, so if you're really able to check things out, I'd be extremely grateful. Of course, I would be happy to pay you!

Should I postpone my appointment on Friday? I have no problem with that.

Jdawgsfanasty · 04-03-2018, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmchoohaa

If you think you could help, I'd be forever grateful! I've sunk a huge portion of my meager savings into the purchase and subsequent mechanical check for my trip here.

The shop can't see me until Friday, so if you're really able to check things out, I'd be extremely grateful. Of course, I would be happy to pay you!

Should I postpone my appointment on Friday? I have no problem with that.

I'm in Houston...not much help...sorry

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ACamper · 04-03-2018, 10:18 AM

Your pics do not look that bad really, old stuff leaks. I would keep an eye on the oil levels and track down the coolant leaks first.

Check your coolant hoses, see if they are old an deteriorated. Ones they start leaking it is usually a good idea to fix them asap. They have a tendency to blow on the road and make a big mess.

George · 04-03-2018, 11:18 AM

Keep the appointment booked
My Thursday looks light enough I could run out there at some point so we can at least have a look and see if there is something simple and check all fluids.
Remember that Alberta is a dry climate and cold , particularly this year.
Many times people bring cars up here that seem to bleed to death and it’s usually due to a shrinkage problem of seals. Add in synthetic fluids and you can have a full crap your pants situation.
Where are you around here?

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