Anti Freeze leak

LarryN 4106 · April 10, 2011, 03:44:35 PM

I need some help here. Today I had my 4106 out of the garage "for exercise" and when I got back, I parked it in the drive and worked straightening out my shop where the bus lives. I had noticed "wet" under the bus but I thought my wife had watered some plants. Later, a closer look showed anti freeze. The leak is from a small fitting that had fractured off from what I believe to be my thermostat housing. This fitting has a braided line running to the top of the surge tank. The base of this fitting remains in the thermostat housing. It is too close to try an easy out. I am asking if the thermostat housing castings can be removed easily. Then I believe I can get that fitting out and replaced. Or, should I try some JB Weld (it did not appear that that fitting was under a lot of pressure)....

I am posting this same 9-1-1 call on several bus forums to forgive me. Also, on the 4106, the casting with the broken fitting is the "tall box" that is next to the rear valve cover. The GMC Diesel Maint. Manual shows it exactly on page 1.

Thanks in advance.

Larry

Chopper Scott · April 10, 2011, 05:03:12 PM

I can't give you anymore advise than forget the JB weld. I'm sure wiser minds familiar with what you have will soon arrive.

wildbob24 · April 10, 2011, 05:36:53 PM

Larry,

Your description of the tall box next to the rear valve cover momentarily confused me. I would normally consider the rear valve cover to be the one pointed at your belly when you open the engine door. But, I know you are talking about the valve cover that's pointed more or less at the sky.

I've never removed the thermostat housing, but I've got a 4106 engine on a stand in front of my shop. I just went down and took a look at it. The housing is bolted to the RH cylinder head(the one under the aforementioned valve cover) and part of the casting along with 2 bolts are behind that front plate that the balance weight cover bolts to. It doesn't look like it can be removed without removing that plate, which would necessitate removing the water pump and balance weight cover and probably pulling the camshaft gear in order to get the plate off.

Maybe someone who's done it (Don Fairchild or Geoff?) will chime in and there's a trick to it, but it looks to me like your going to need to repair it in place.

I'll try to take a picture of it in the morning.......too dark now.

Bob

luvrbus · April 10, 2011, 05:52:44 PM

I wouldn't worry with Bob he posted on the BNO he fixed it several hours ago

good luck

LarryN 4106 · April 10, 2011, 06:11:40 PM

Thanks Bob, for the response. Yes, I did get it fixed. An Ez Out did the trick. I did not think I could get one in.....but I was able to. That and some Kroil finally got it extracted. Thanks to all.

wildbob24 · April 10, 2011, 07:28:08 PM

larry,

I see. That's good news. Glad it worked out.

Clifford,

I didn't mean to leave you off my "guru" list. I remember you saying that your GM experience is somewhat limited and I wasn't sure if Eagles used that same style housing. I was thinking not.

Bob

luvrbus · April 10, 2011, 08:04:21 PM

Not a guru here Bob and you are right about me and a GM but getting ready to install a set of Jakes on a 4106 the 1st of May thanks to my buddy Don Fairchild but I'll get even with him lol.
You by chance have a good set of Jake bridges for sale for a 8v71 these are so bad a shop can not reface them

good luck

wildbob24 · April 11, 2011, 08:15:47 AM

Clifford,

I have one set of Jake bridges for an 8v71, but I'm going to use them on my Buffalo. I've got a friend who says he might have some. I'll let you know as soon as he checks his inventory.

Bob