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what next · 07-05-2013, 07:56 PM

Well my 08 W22 runs great but,,, I have been adding some coolant to it for the last 18 months(10,000 miles) maybe almost a gallon. Just a little every once in awhile . I have been trying to reason it away and not let it worry me, but I got back my oil report from Blackstone and it is showing high aluminum, iron and some sodium. The temp always runs right in middle of gauge and I also have a scanguage that shows 198 I don't think I have ever seen anything over 212 nothing hot , for sure. It has 30,000 miles I have only owned it for last 10,000. Now the oil sample could have some contamination, I forgot to take it as oil was draining so I took it from drain pan to be truthful. But that does not change the fact that I am adding antifreeze over time. I am worried . I am going to have it checked out , Champion in Elgin IL is the closest Workhorse dealer any other recommended places. I am only imagining the worst. I have only put 200 miles on since oil change so I don't think I could resample yet.

joecoolermn · 07-05-2013, 08:31 PM

I wouldn't get all worked up! it's probably an intake gasket.

edgray · 07-05-2013, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by what next

Well my 08 W22 runs great but,,, I have been adding some coolant to it for the last 18 months(10,000 miles) maybe almost a gallon. Just a little every once in awhile . I have been trying to reason it away and not let it worry me, but I got back my oil report from Blackstone and it is showing high aluminum, iron and some sodium. The temp always runs right in middle of gauge and I also have a scanguage that shows 198 I don't think I have ever seen anything over 212 nothing hot , for sure. It has 30,000 miles I have only owned it for last 10,000. Now the oil sample could have some contamination, I forgot to take it as oil was draining so I took it from drain pan to be truthful. But that does not change the fact that I am adding antifreeze over time. I am worried . I am going to have it checked out , Champion in Elgin IL is the closest Workhorse dealer any other recommended places. I am only imagining the worst. I have only put 200 miles on since oil change so I don't think I could resample yet.

You should continue to rely on your SG II for water temp, 'cause the "guage" on your cluster is PROGRAMMED to almost always point at the middle. Unless you have a severe over-heating issue, it will never go higher than "normal", even though the actual temp should be moving between 198* and 215*, depending on load and fan clutch operation.

Regarding the main concern in your post, it is not "likely" that your coolant is getting into your oil. "Most" times a slight loss of coolant over time is because of a tiny leak at one of the unused "ports" in the heads that is weeping coolant when the engine is cold. The coolant burns off when re-started. Have you ever noticed a sweet smell shortly after startup?? FWIW, I would do another oil change after some additional miles, and have it tested again, before spending big bucks at a dealer possibly chasing a problem that isn't serious.

Since you asked, I had an excellent service experience at Cummins-Crosspoint in Normal, IL (a Workhorse ASC). They took me in without an appointment and repaired my genset quickly and at reasonable cost.
Ed

"007" · 07-05-2013, 09:09 PM

Or it could be one of the manifold studs to deep into head.
I have been replacing coolant in overfill tank for years found some leaks in the two feeder hoses to Evans AC/Heater unit at top of engine, left side, where they spliced the two hoses together from engine into Evans unit. Replaced the four spring clamps with stainless steel screw clamps.
Clamps fixed that leak but still could smell anti leak someplace when engine heated up.
Had to get the passenger side manifold remounted and when tech pulled out studs the one that came out the easiest was that stud. Anti just squirted out the hole.
Had to drill out most of studs full of rust and frozen in holes.
He put in new studs and sealed the leak now no more leaks of anti.

mgscott4 · 07-05-2013, 10:45 PM

Could be the water pump going, check the weep hole on the under side of the water pump housing.

Could be a small leak in the radiator check for signs of wet spots. Go ahead and take off the fans and the shroud to get a good look. It probably needs cleaning anyway.

Check all of the hoses and connections. Sometimes a clamp that is too tight can cut into the hose.

Borrow a radiator pressure tester from Autozone or Advance Auto. Don't forget to test the radiator cap too. It might be worth buying a new cap.

tropical36 · 07-06-2013, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by what next

Well my 08 W22 runs great but,,, I have been adding some coolant to it for the last 18 months(10,000 miles) maybe almost a gallon. Just a little every once in awhile . I have been trying to reason it away and not let it worry me, but I got back my oil report from Blackstone and it is showing high aluminum, iron and some sodium. The temp always runs right in middle of gauge and I also have a scanguage that shows 198 I don't think I have ever seen anything over 212 nothing hot , for sure. It has 30,000 miles I have only owned it for last 10,000. Now the oil sample could have some contamination, I forgot to take it as oil was draining so I took it from drain pan to be truthful. But that does not change the fact that I am adding antifreeze over time. I am worried . I am going to have it checked out , Champion in Elgin IL is the closest Workhorse dealer any other recommended places. I am only imagining the worst. I have only put 200 miles on since oil change so I don't think I could resample yet.

What happens if you don't add any and will it stay at this lower level? Mine has never stayed at the reservoir cold fill line and if I add any, it will pretty soon drop to half that amount and stay there, so can't call that a leak.

what next · 07-07-2013, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tropical36

What happens if you don't add any and will it stay at this lower level? Mine has never stayed at the reservoir cold fill line and if I add any, it will pretty soon drop to half that amount and stay there, so can't call that a leak.

I have never let it get down to less than an inch or two. I had the doghouse cover off yesterday looking . It is really clean, and running it was so quiet and smooth, as it warmed up I did notice the slight smell of anti freeze that did go away. The overflow tank level did go up as it warmed up and went down to cold level afterwards. Maybe I do have a very small leak I can not see. Anyway I am leaving on a motorcycle trip will look at it when I get back.