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Coolant pushed through overflow reservoir (ser 60-14L- DDEC-5)

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by Verdel, Jul 15, 2015.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Jul 15, 2015 #1
    Verdel

    Verdel Medium Load Member

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    Oct 26, 2013
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    My truck is running hot and pushing coolant through the overflow reservoir but NO WHITE SMOKE out of the exhaust, new reservoir cap was installed. I was thinking: bad thermostat, clogged radiator, water pump. Went to Detroit Diesel today for pressure test, they said: We have to pull the head to see what is wrong. I am afraid that if I let them do this, they will rush me to overhaul and their labor is not cheap, so I ask them to check the EGR cooler before that.

    What do you think? Head gasket, cracked cylinder liner, cracked head? There is no visual signs of coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant. The truck is Freightliner Columbia 2007, Detroit Diesel, 14L, DDEC-5. 880k original miles.
     
    Verdel, Jul 15, 2015
    Verdel, Jul 15, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jul 15, 2015 #2
    georgeandson

    georgeandson Heavy Load Member

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    Same thing happened to me. My head gasket went bad and pushed compression thru the water system.
    You need a new head gasket and have your head tested. If its just a head gasket, you shouldn't be more then 3000 MAX if its a bad head (warped or cracked) then add 2k for a reman head.
    I would have the head pulled before you warp it. It might be good and all you could use is a headgasket. Mine did this at 700k miles. Everyone said it was common for that motor.
     
    georgeandson, Jul 15, 2015
    georgeandson, Jul 15, 2015
    #2
  4. Jul 15, 2015 #3
    Smellfunny

    Smellfunny Road Train Member

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    They should be able to test for compression gases before pulling head. There are other things that can add air to the coolant but 9 times out of 10 it is head related.
     
    Smellfunny, Jul 15, 2015
    Smellfunny, Jul 15, 2015
    #3
    jbatmick Thanks this.
  5. Jul 15, 2015 #4
    jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    hastings, Fl
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    Just had one in the shop for that, turned out to be radiator cap gone bad.
     
    jbatmick, Jul 15, 2015
    jbatmick, Jul 15, 2015
    #4
  7. Jul 15, 2015 #5
    georgeandson

    georgeandson Heavy Load Member

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    I did replace my radiator cap and also had gas test. Before I pulled the head.
    I even did the water pump and radiator before I did the head.
    I should if added that.
    All good advice.
    My money still says its the head gasket itself.
     
    georgeandson, Jul 15, 2015
    georgeandson, Jul 15, 2015
    #5
  8. Jul 15, 2015 #6
    201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    Hi Verdel, if it's your own truck, you should probably have your head examined anyway.:biggrin_2559: Just kidding, it's probably the head gasket. ( the Detroit engine makers know how long a head gasket will last) With that many miles, if it's never been opened up, it's probably ready for work anyway. I drove a Columbia with a 500 Detroit, with 830K on it, never opened up, and it still had good power, but was getting pretty tired. Years ago, you rarely heard of head gaskets going, they were like 1/8 of an inch thick. Now, they are like paper. Good luck.
     
    201, Jul 15, 2015
    201, Jul 15, 2015
    #6
  9. Jul 16, 2015 #7
    Verdel

    Verdel Medium Load Member

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    Oct 26, 2013
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    Detroit Diesel already quoted me $2450 labor + parts to remove and install the head, if it is the head gasket - it will be no more than ~ $3000, if the head is cracked $5-6000 will be rebuilt head, but if the cylinder liners are cracked and they pull the head - I am loosing the option to go to some cheaper place and make the overhaul for $10k. Detroit diesel wants $18k for inframe.

    Other option is to find the same engine used on low miles 300-400k and replace, but I don't know reliable source for this.

    This is my concern. If I am sure the cylinder liners are good and can get away with $6000 that's ok, but if I have to spend $18k for this old truck, maybe I can just sell this one and get a new one.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2015
    Verdel, Jul 16, 2015
    Verdel, Jul 16, 2015
    #7
  10. Jul 16, 2015 #8
    201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    Hi Verdel, I was going to suggest that. There's like a million Detroit motors out there, and a ton of wrecks. You know darn well, once they open it up, like you say, you're screwed. I'd call around junkyards, just to see. Not sure if you are able to do that yourself ( not really that hard, just need a forklift and a few stout friends) Maybe you can get a like new motor for under 10g's ( don't even know, it's been so long since I priced that stuff) In the meantime, I've used a product called "Mend-Tite" head gasket sealer several times. It's running through my GMC Sonoma right now. ( it's not the old black pepper stuff) You can get it at Bumper-to-Bumper, if you have those by you. Added to the radiator, not the coolant tank (it may take 2 bottles)It's not permanent, but may buy you a little time.
     
    201, Jul 16, 2015
    201, Jul 16, 2015
    #8
  11. Jul 16, 2015 #9
    Verdel

    Verdel Medium Load Member

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    Oct 26, 2013
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    They did the compression test and told me, it could be cracked head, head gasket, cylinder liner. They need to pull the head to be sure. I am afraid if it is cylinder liner - that means overhaul. If I have to do overhaul, I can go to some other cheaper place. But if I let them pull the head, I am stuck with them and they ask $18k for overhaul.
     
    Verdel, Jul 16, 2015
    Verdel, Jul 16, 2015
    #9
  12. Jul 21, 2015 #10
    Verdel

    Verdel Medium Load Member

    596
    135
    Oct 26, 2013
    0
    1.JPG 2.JPG 3.JPG 4.JPG 5.JPG 6.JPG 7.JPG 8.JPG 9.JPG 10.JPG

    Detroit Diesel showed me the "head off" motor today. The mechanic said: The head gasket is blown - little bit on every cylinder, but mostly on No5, cylinder liners are OK, but maybe sunk, head looks OK, but we recommend to buy Detroit rebuilt head.When I ask, if they can send the head to machine shop, they said: The original shape of the head is ark, so if you send it to machine shop, they will make it flat and more prone to failures... ????

    I am uploading some pictures, any inputs are welcome........ no cross contamination was found (oil in the coolant or vice versa). The last strange thing was, to fix the sunken cylinder liners, they must cut the cylinder block to make it the standart height ????

    This all sounds weird to me, because I did many head gaskets on small cars and if the head is not warped, you just clean, put a new gasket, maybe some of this copper spray and is good to go...
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2015
    Verdel, Jul 21, 2015
    Verdel, Jul 21, 2015
    #10
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