head water leak questions

[white-eagle]

Frank took his bus to DD to have tranny replaced.  They told him it was leaking water.  he told them to find the leak.  they tore the engine apart and pointed to tiny hair cracks between the valves on the heads.  those hairline cracks are on all 6 cylinders.  the engine had been running fine and very little water loss.
another company's wrench told him that every head on every engine has tiny cracks between valves after a few hundred miles, that they aren't a big deal and he could have just ignored DD's comments.

Any 2nd or 3rd opinions?

i'm getting somewhat educated in that we now have a 6v92 all torn apart so i can see cylinders, heads, valves, fittings, wires, etc. and how it all interacts which is one heck of a lot better than the manual.

we are waiting on a fresh engine to put into the bus.  Can't do much more until it shows up cause we don't know what's already on it or what it came out of.  So we're killin time cleaning, fixing what we can and examining the old engine.

[Jerry32]

If it aint broken don't fix it1

[luvrbus]

Tom, if there is hair line cracks between the valves the head are cracked 92 series heads do not have cracks in a few hundred miles those heads are cracked from overheating 


good luck

[Dreamscape]

I'm by all means no DD expert. But if one wrench said no big deal on the cracks, I would question his knowledge. Hairline cracks can grow and in this case from overheating. Clifford gives the best advice.

Where are you guys located?

[white-eagle]

Arcadia, Fl still.  We were about ready to head north when someone said they needed some help, and i owed Ray from help he gave us last year.  Then we found out Frank blew a tranny, but dd "found" an $18,000 water leak while they were prepping the engine for the new tranny.  Frank said the engine was running ok before they touched it, just used a little water once in a while.  in any case, a good running engine is on the way, same 6v92 block so all the mounts and fittings should be fine. 

we're doin all this in Ray's "garage", stealing occasional parts from Mr. Conrad as required, since his place is just down the road.

[Dreamscape]

It's always good to have a friend in your back pocket huh!

Good Luck and hope it all turns out as planned without the gremlins giving you fits!

[Van]

 I know this lesson all too well ... Twice! Good thing though,finding out now, think about how much it could have been had it been on that long awaited and well deserved trip. Sorry to hear about this, can you post some pictures of the head (s),might be good to see. good luck. V.

[luvrbus]

Van, you don't need photos just recall the picture from you memory bank and think about your wallet and you will get the picture  LOL 


good luck

[Van]

LOL Clifford , not for me   that pic will forever be etched in my mind LOL. Just picture...The back room of your local Chinese Cleaners... Ouch!

[JackConrad]

Tom,
   Remind Frank of Bob of The North's experience.  He had to occasionally add water until his engine blew. He had it towed to Luke and a complete rebuild which I think included 2 heads.  Jack

[robertglines1]

anyone that tells you cracks are normal....run don't walk the other way...a little money spent now (seems like allot now)will save you a bus full later...

[Van]

It is obvious now that our bus had major cooling issues when we first brought it home . First was the radiator, as some of you might remember the 4 electric fans strapped  to it,not good. Then was the big hole in the radiator under the fan, throw in a couple of frozen thermostats, and guess what? Poof! . So after Don built me a new set of heads, and a new radiator, new set of stats,we put the engine back together. first trip out, still over heating and finally, poof! Gone!
  Now as of this date a running take out was installed and seemed to be working fine(trip to the Q in Jan), but the engine was starting to run a little to warm for my taste. Funny thing though, I was still having to add water to the tank,and there were absolutely, no leaks at all in the engine compartment ,now what! . Well I found the leak(s). The bugger was leaking thru  the drivers and coach's heater cores, which I found whilst chasing air system leaks.
 It has been like a Who dun nit detective novel, where after persistence payed off. I spent a few hours running the Bird up and down Railroad Pass until I was satisfied with the results,and Viola' done!






Boy does my back ache!

[JackConrad]

Van,
   Is that a special DD tool on the left in the 2nd photo?  LOL  Jack

[luvrbus]

Don't you love that tool lol but he made it work


good luck

[Van]

Jack, it is 1 of a two part head removal kit LOL, missing is the plank that lays on the block to slide that booger out