Sudden Oil Leak: DD Series 40/DT 530E

Lostranger · September 14, 2015, 10:55:51 AM

Growing more confident that I have a blown head gasket. The oil in the bucket sat from Saturday until today. I used a suction tube to pull from the bottom and got water. Thinking back, I also realized that the engine wanted to blow coolant out of the fill port on the expansion tank when I cranked it Saturday morning. Sure seems like a head gasket symptom to me, but I'll listen to guidance here.

I'm now attempting to source parts. I bought an oil analysis kit, and I'm sending that to Carolina Tractor's lab in Raleigh, but I know for certain that I have water in the pan. Seems to be a wide range in parts prices. Any guidance on what to buy and from whom? I'm asking for a head gasket set. Do I need to change head bolts or anything else that would not be included in the kit?

This does not appear to be a major job. I've changed lots of head gaskets on gasoline engines, and I will be assisted by a friend who is an experienced diesel mechanic. I left the engine access panel accessible under our bed when I insulated and paneled the back of the bus. I've not yet searched for procedural instructions on the net, and if you know a good link, pass it along.

I will also remove the oil cooler and repair the small leak I know about there. Will inspect oil cooler for possible leaks at that time. What else should I look for?

Jim

eagle19952 · September 14, 2015, 11:04:08 AM

i would not assume it is only a head gasket. i would ascertain the condition of the head, i would want to know if it is cracked before i re-install it.
JMW.

luvrbus · September 14, 2015, 11:12:10 AM

You need to pressure test those are wet liner engines

Lostranger · September 14, 2015, 11:26:04 AM

My diesel mechanic friend called just now and wants to pull the oil cooler before we do anything about the head. Makes sense. We know we already had trouble with oil cooler. Once we pull that, check/repair/replace it, then we'll further diagnose head gasket if necessary. Pressure test or whatever seems appropriate. If I pull the head, I will definitely have it thoroughly checked before reinstalling.

I keep coming back to the fact that the engine runs PERFECTLY. Maybe I'll luck out and find that the trouble is only the oil cooler. I'm not much accustomed to good luck, though.

We plan to pull cooler on Wednesday. More after that.

Jim

luvrbus · September 14, 2015, 11:42:21 AM

Drain some coolant if the cooler is bad the radiator coolant will have oil in it

Lostranger · September 14, 2015, 11:48:36 AM

Thanks, Clifford. We drained and discarded the coolant Saturday without thinking to check for oil. I'll see if I can get more out now that air is down.

Jim

robertglines1 · September 14, 2015, 02:29:37 PM

does that oil cooler take care of trans also? if so check it also.

Lostranger · September 14, 2015, 03:34:16 PM

Quote from: robertglines1 on September 14, 2015, 02:29:37 PM
does that oil cooler take care of trans also? if so check it also.

Transmission has its own cooler beside radiator.

azdieselman · September 14, 2015, 06:06:01 PM

Don't be in a hurry to pull the oil cooler!!! How are you going to test the engine when you can't pressurize the cooling system?

With the oil pan drain plug removed, Pressurize the cooling system and see it it leaks out the pan.

If it does, Pull the pan and find the source.

It may take some time to show the leak. I use an air powered tested so I don't have to keep pumping it up.

Head gaskets are fairly robust, Liner o-rings are more likely.

Why did it overheat?

luvrbus · September 14, 2015, 08:54:15 PM

I can't see the oil cooler letting water into the oil,it usually make a mess of the cooling system when 1 leaks since the oil pressure is so much greater than the coolant pressure.I hope it is a simple fix

Brassman · September 14, 2015, 10:46:35 PM

My guess is a leak of compression gas into the coolant system evidenced by the overheat episode. When the gas gets into the coolant the water pump doesn't pump so well and coolant temps go up. Heads, seals or liners. Pressurizing the coolant side is one thing to do, but sometime with liner/head cracks you need more pressure to find them.

Lostranger · September 15, 2015, 02:29:25 AM

Quote from: azdieselman on September 14, 2015, 06:06:01 PM
Why did it overheat?

A small coolant hose broke. Goes from expansion tank to top of engine. Hose was old and rubbing against a larger hose.

Pressurizing engine with drain plug removed sounds like a great idea. How much pressure is acceptable? Any chance of finding a threaded port to install an air fitting?

Oonrahnjay · September 15, 2015, 04:30:36 AM

Quote from: Lostranger on September 15, 2015, 02:29:25 AM
A small coolant hose broke. Goes from expansion tank to top of engine. Hose was old and rubbing against a larger hose ...

I'm taking that as a lesson for me. I'm pulling for you that this is going to turn out to be a cheap, simple fix for you, Jim.

eagle19952 · September 15, 2015, 08:38:32 AM

i would build a device that would fit in the radiator cap with an air regulator,using my shop compressor, i would pressurize the entire system to 2-4 psi greater than running system pressure, engine hot, thermostat open.

azdieselman · September 15, 2015, 09:24:10 AM

No need to "build" any devices, They are already available. There's a few pipe plugs in the head below the t-stat. I would limit the pressure to 15 psi. If it won't leak, you can go to 20. Your cap may vent somewhere in between. If you have a block heater, Plug it in.