stumpedd Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Hey Guys, I have a 2003 Mack CV713 with a AI-400 engine. I have to add (2) gallons of antifreeze every 3 days but i dont see any leaks on the outside of the motor. There is no heavy white smoke coming out of the tailpipe and i pressure test the surge tank and is holding 15 psi steady. There is condensation inside the oil fill tube and has a greyish color. I changed the breather filter and it has some sludge. The motor is running smooth. I drained the oil but there is no sign of antifreeze. How can i go about on making sure it is the head gasket? What else do i have to check or other test i have to do? Is it the oil cooler or the air compressor or the intake manifold? Someone told me to check the gas tank??? This cant be possible or is it. Any help will be deeply appreciated. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/18390-is-it-a-head-gasket/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhasler Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 If that much coolant was leaking into the engine I would expect to see it in the oil. If you have a Mack transmission with an oil cooler you might want to take a look inside the transmission case (through the fill plug opening) or drain the oil from it and check for rust in the case or antifreeze mixed with the oil. 1 Quote "Mebbe I'm too ugly and stupid to give up!" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/18390-is-it-a-head-gasket/#findComment-74610 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 If that much coolant was leaking into the engine I would expect to see it in the oil. If you have a Mack transmission with an oil cooler you might want to take a look inside the transmission case (through the fill plug opening) or drain the oil from it and check for rust in the case or antifreeze mixed with the oil. Like rhasler has said check trans if ya don't find it there, its likly leaky liners if you have sludge in the breather that is not a good sign.. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/18390-is-it-a-head-gasket/#findComment-74615 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1958 F.W.D. Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Get a sample of your crankcase oil analyzed. Dont know where you are located, but check around various truck dealers to see who they use to do analysis. If this does not pan out, call Giles and Ransome (CAT Dealer) in Bensalem, Pa. They will do analysis of anything. You call them, give them your credit card number, and for (if I remember correctly) it's like 28 bucks, they will send you the kit which has:-long thin plastic line (but sturdy!) to snake into your dipstick tube about 4' long-a sample bottle-an overpack bottle-a pre-paid tyvek mailing envelope.All you do is fill out the paperwork they give you as detailed as you can (oil make, type, number of hours or miles, engine make/model/serial etc etc etc.) Get it good and hot, drop the plastic tube down in there with the other end down on the floor, draw a suction on it, let it flow into and fill the bottle, drop that bottle into the overpack bottle, send it off to G & R, and in 5-8 days you will be emailed a complete report with recommendations as to what to do. They might even call you if the situation warrants. I have used them before and they are good people to work with. Had to talk to the girl in the lab on the phone (she had questions for me, I had a sample of my 1958 Waukesha gas engine analyzed and it threw her for a loop at first...hahaha) she really knew her shit and knew engines. Quote TWO STROKES ARE FOR GARDEN TOOLS Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/18390-is-it-a-head-gasket/#findComment-74625 Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpedd Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 If you have a Mack transmission with an oil coolerI checked this morning and there's no antifreeze in the transmission, gas tank or on the bottom of the oil pan. There is moisture in the valve covers but no signs of antifreeze in the cylinder heads. I looked up the cylinder sleeves and pressure test the block and there's no signs of leaks. I guess its the oil cooler because when i took off the Centri Max filter, it felt kind of heavy so i let it drain and noticed some little drops of antifreeze. Since the Centri Max filter housing is connected to the oil cooler, i guess that's the problem. Well, i'll see what happens when i install a new oil cooler and give it about a week to see if i still have to add antifrreze every 3 days. Many thanks guys. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/18390-is-it-a-head-gasket/#findComment-74674 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 If you have a Mack transmission with an oil coolerI checked this morning and there's no antifreeze in the transmission, gas tank or on the bottom of the oil pan. There is moisture in the valve covers but no signs of antifreeze in the cylinder heads. I looked up the cylinder sleeves and pressure test the block and there's no signs of leaks. I guess its the oil cooler because when i took off the Centri Max filter, it felt kind of heavy so i let it drain and noticed some little drops of antifreeze. Since the Centri Max filter housing is connected to the oil cooler, i guess that's the problem. Well, i'll see what happens when i install a new oil cooler and give it about a week to see if i still have to add antifrreze every 3 days. Many thanks guys.Hope your right! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/18390-is-it-a-head-gasket/#findComment-74707 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassam Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Hi my name is Bob I have similar problem, did your solution help when you changed the oil cooler. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/18390-is-it-a-head-gasket/#findComment-265908 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.