Richardsmack Posted July 31, 2019 Share Posted July 31, 2019 Hi All, I have 2 weird problems with my Mack. I recently bought it and I'm in the progress to fix it up. I replaced the 2 fuel filters, 3 new oil filters and coolant filter and new engine oil. The engine runs good without any white or black smoke. When I bought it the coolant overflow tank was empty. I thought nothing of it. Later I filled the overflow tank (bottom) till the mark. The top one was full. After a drive I noticed that coolant was pushed out the overflow tank. I checked for bubbles..nothing. replaced the radiator cap. No leaks anywhere. When I use it without the overflow tank filled everything stay good and not running hot or so. Also the top tank stays filled... Any Ideas ? Problem 2: I was hauling last week going up steep mountain roads and going down and delivered the materials to the a owners property with a very steep driveway going down and it was only possible to drive down forward. My truck was spitting quite a bit of oil out of the breather tube. When I noticed that I stopped that afternoon. I checked the oil when parked level and you could notice the oil out. Once home I she sat overnight. Rechecked the oil and added like 2 quarts. The I drove it 2 days in a row on the flats. No leaks out of the breather tube just a bit of smoke/fumes. The I did the last day hauling same route and steep driveway. Lost oil again. Just used it for the day and added oil later. Other than that the truck runs like a dream no smoke and very good on fuel. Any Idea's ? Thanks for your help. By the way the other 4 NON Mack trucks all fell apart mostly suspension :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted July 31, 2019 Share Posted July 31, 2019 I have found on this setup just run the overflow tank with just a inch or so on the bottom,as long as other tank is full you are good to go, as far as your other problem, I don't have a clue. terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6368 Posted July 31, 2019 Share Posted July 31, 2019 No answers for you, but i would be curious to know.. if you started two qts. low( should be half way between add and full) and ran the steep route . would it continue to loose oil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCR Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 Several years back there was a Mack service bulletin on the two piece plastic tank to replace with a one piece stainless tank. Not sure of dates but somewhere from mid 90’s to mid 2000’s. I had a 99 CH613 and a 2000 CHX613 that experienced the same problem. Changed the tank and no more problem Quote Denny330-550-6020A "Mack Pack" Charter Member Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksrolloff Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 (edited) I had same oil issue, on a steep incline. the truck is 2001 it happened probably 15 years ago,,, just the design of the engine... never had an issue since Edited August 1, 2019 by ksrolloff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 As an engine tips forward or backward the oil begins to contact the connecting rods, which can create a must from the splashing. Or oil is pooling in the heads due to the angle and not draining. Motion of the rockers and valves could be throwing oil at the breather tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 58 minutes ago, JoeH said: As an engine tips forward or backward the oil begins to contact the connecting rods, which can create a must from the splashing. Or oil is pooling in the heads due to the angle and not draining. Motion of the rockers and valves could be throwing oil at the breather tube. Absolutely, oil is being stirred up and flung. I had it push a loose oil fill cap off before on a grade. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 (edited) They created a steep service kit for trucks doing this kind of work It involves moving the breather vent from the existing spot on the front of the engine to the valve cover! If you know someone that can aluminum weld you can make your own valve cover to accept the breather! Edited August 1, 2019 by fjh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardsmack Posted August 1, 2019 Author Share Posted August 1, 2019 Thanks for your help ! Yes I run it now with the overflow tank with a little bit of coolant in it. Regarding the oil splash when on a very steep grade that makes sense. Below a couple of pictures of the start of making the truck look nice. I'm still looking for interior parts and in the future I like to get a heavy duty front axle. Hard to find parts here in BC. Next is fabricating a beefy front bumper. I will let you know how the truck is behaving. Again thanks ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 Love the dual exhaust! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Richardsmack Posted October 25, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 25, 2019 The last couple of Months I drove the truck a lot. In September 3 weeks 7 days a week 12 Hours a day ! It did throw out a bit of coolant out of the overflow but that was it. No oil leaks out of the breather and in all that time it used approx. 3 quartz of oil. Love the truck and it's very good on fuel. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardsmack Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share Posted October 2, 2020 (edited) More than a year later.. Love my Mack !!! I custom fit a new front bumper and sanded and painted the truck. Coolant problems are over as I keep the overflow bottom canister empty. It runs awesome except for smoking puffs of blue smoke when using the engine brake.. Anybody knows what could cause this? I'm also still looking for a 20.000 lbs front axle. Would an axle from another brand truck fit? Thanks for your input. (Current job 2 weeks into the mountains up and down a 10-15 mile logging road. Hope my baby survives this.) 🙂 Edited October 2, 2020 by Richardsmack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 (edited) What axle is in it right now, if it is a RD model, probably has a 18,000 axle already. terry Looks like it has the bigger hub cap on the front axle. Edited October 2, 2020 by terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardsmack Posted October 3, 2020 Author Share Posted October 3, 2020 (edited) Hi Terry thanks for your reply. I have the original factory print out and it says 14.300. Meantime the check engine light came on and went off. Code #3 injector electrical issue. Cleaned the contacts/wiring. Maybe this has something to do with the blue smoke while using the engine brake. When driving no blue smoke except when it idled for a bit and then taking off. Any ideas? Thanks! Edited October 3, 2020 by Richardsmack adding pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldRedMack Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 Buy a new set of injectors, they aren't really expensive. Its been a couple years since I bought any, but they were $85.00 a piece plus core charge that you get back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardsmack Posted October 7, 2020 Author Share Posted October 7, 2020 Thanks! I will do that and see if that makes any difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Richardsmack Posted October 10, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 10, 2020 1 3 Quote Link to comment 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.