Coolant leak on Cummings Diesel engine

[Klueck]

We are sitting up in the north Georgia mountains and were preparing to head south, when we noticed a small coolant leak.

We have a Cummins 370 ISL engine with a side radiator.

The leak appears to be coming from a hose near the radiator. It's been very cold here and we though that might have effected some of the hoses or clamps.

DH tightened up the hose clamps (which were a tad loose) and we hoped it would stop.

Unfortunately, we still have a slow leak when the engine is running.

We are nowhere near a Cummins dealer and are unsure what to do next.

DH bought another clamp and thought he would double clamp where he thinks the leak is. He also bought some of that silicone tape that is heat resistant, hoping that would help. It started raining so he didn't get to try the clamp or tape.

My question is, if we can't get the leak stopped, do we dare try to head south if we watch the engine temperature and check for leaks as we go? We aren't too far from I-75, so we will have rest areas along the route.

[John_S_]

Make sure it is full get some extra coolant and if the leak us slow enough you can drive to a cummins shop. Might have to add more coolant but it is doable if it is a slow leak.

[Ivylog]

Ozlander... your boat from China HAS arrived. There are more but I like that one the best.:B

[Ozlander]

Ivylog wrote:
Do you really thing the correct spelling of Cummins helped the OP out? JUST SAYIN!

Do you really think this post helped the OP out? Just Sayin! :S

[Ivylog]

Do you really thing the correct spelling of Cummins helped the OP out? JUST SAYIN!
As for using a radiator sealer... to each their own but I only recommend using "Dike" as it has worked well for me. Had a Cat 3406 with a small leak on the block that was going to be a all day job to get to. Used Dike and that was more than seven years ago. Agree using it for a hose leak should not be necessary.
*If my puter had not updated you would have seen the rest of my post about using a sealer.

[ScottG]

You have a "Cummins" - no G.
Just sayin.

[Old_Snipe]

Karen,

I (your blog buddy Paul) second the advice not to use any sealant in the system.
Leaving the radiator cap loose is also a good idea, it won't allow pressure to build up in the system until you can get to a repair place.

[eddie_g]

Try Turpin Towing in Hiawassee 770-450-1672. Good honest people.



Eddie G

[Blaster_Man]

wolfe10 wrote:
Double clamp, with the screws opposite each other= 180 degrees from each other.

Constant torque clamps if you can find them (just Google "constant torque clamp".

Good advice...the double clamp has worked for me before.

[wolfe10]

Double clamp, with the screws opposite each other= 180 degrees from each other.

Constant torque clamps if you can find them (just Google "constant torque clamp".

[Ivylog]

I can only point you in the direction that works for me. Good luck.

[Klueck]

Thanks Ivylog.

We'll check out Tanners towing. We checked our manual and it said not to put in any kind of radiator sealant. We think it's just a loose/bad hose, so we'd prefer to get it fixed.

[Ivylog]

Never heard of a air lock from a loose cap. I would suggest Tanner's Towing next to O'Reilly's. they might be able to work on it today. No need to have it towed. 745-2003 or call me at 4495 I would suggest getting some "Dike" radiator sealer from NAPA next to Fatz and put in. I use it in all my equipment as a preventive measure. Unfortunately it takes a while to get it into the entire system from the expansion tank.

[Klueck]

Ivylog

Thanks for responding. I see you are neighbors of ours. We're in Rivers Edge RV Park, also in Blairsville.

Do you know of a repair place anywhere nearby...that you trust?


So....are you saying we should loosen the radiator cap? From what our manual said, it sounded like if you open the radiator cap, you need to be careful to not get an air lock, so we're hesitant on doing that.

We're hoping we can get the leak to stop and then get south to a Cummins facility.

[Ivylog]

I would not use the tape in fear of it making it easy for the hose to slide off. Two clamps should help.
As cold as it is and it being down hill to Florida, do not tighten the radiator cap all the way. When you first put the cap on it's hard at first and easier and then hard again. Stop at the easy point (15-20 degrees) so the cap does not build full pressure which you currently do not need.