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01-10-2019, 11:20 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 3,783
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Coolant usage?
Any one noticed having any coolant usage in their 8.1’s? I’ve sent an oil sample off last yr and specifically ask to look for coolant and none was found. Occasionally smell a little at start up can’t find any leaks looked all over very closely. It has been like this since I’ve owned at 21,000 miles now 31,000. I know some of these 8.1 like to consume oil too.
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Dolphin 6376LX, 3 slide, W-24, Toyo tires, Blue OX Aventa LX, Patriot brake assist, 09' Saturn Vue
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01-10-2019, 11:26 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: On the road
Posts: 1,562
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Number one overlooked culprit...radiator cap. Cheap fix, at least worth a try. Buy a good one, Stant or similar.
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Happy Trails, 
06 Dynasty Countess III ISL//3060
07 Hummer H3// Suzi 650 Thumper
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01-10-2019, 11:29 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 34,487
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You probably have a leak that is just enough to smell but is evaporating before it drips. You need to look for the telltale markings that the fluid leaves.
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2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA, SKP
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '14 CR-V
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01-10-2019, 11:32 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 3,783
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Coolant usage?
New Radiator cap all the radiator hose clamps snugged can’t find any signs of leakage But if I get a little smell it has to be leaking somewhere
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Dolphin 6376LX, 3 slide, W-24, Toyo tires, Blue OX Aventa LX, Patriot brake assist, 09' Saturn Vue
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01-10-2019, 12:19 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 7,592
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The 8.1 when it first came out had a problem with the freeze plugs ( on the bottom of the engine) leaking.
I bought a 2003 GMC 3/4 ton truck that had that problem and the dealer corrected it under warranty. I could smell it occasionally until they fixed it.
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2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Don't know where I'm going, spose I'll get there anyway.
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01-10-2019, 12:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 3,783
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland
The 8.1 when it first came out had a problem with the freeze plugs ( on the bottom of the engine) leaking.
I bought a 2003 GMC 3/4 ton truck that had that problem and the dealer corrected it under warranty. I could smell it occasionally until they fixed it.
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I’ll certainly check that out
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Dolphin 6376LX, 3 slide, W-24, Toyo tires, Blue OX Aventa LX, Patriot brake assist, 09' Saturn Vue
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01-10-2019, 04:45 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 3,783
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmw188
I’ll certainly check that out
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Thinking back I believe I already looked at the freeze plugs on both sides but I’ll have to look at them again.
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Dolphin 6376LX, 3 slide, W-24, Toyo tires, Blue OX Aventa LX, Patriot brake assist, 09' Saturn Vue
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01-10-2019, 07:35 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Cypress River Manitoba
Posts: 207
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My GMC mechanic son says that Dexcool seems to disappear without a trace. To the point where they will top up a customer's tank and not say anything, because all it does is get people worried about non existent leaks.
Stan
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2004 Itasca Sunrise W22 chassis GM 8.1 Allison 1000 Towing a 2007 Chevy Cobalt four wheels down.
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01-10-2019, 08:54 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 3,783
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Switchflicke
My GMC mechanic son says that Dexcool seems to disappear without a trace. To the point where they will top up a customer's tank and not say anything, because all it does is get people worried about non existent leaks.
Stan
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Are you saying it disappears for no reason or as you say without a trace to where there is no evidence that it had leaked? Asking because you said worried about non existent leaks. Please clarify.
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Dolphin 6376LX, 3 slide, W-24, Toyo tires, Blue OX Aventa LX, Patriot brake assist, 09' Saturn Vue
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01-11-2019, 08:55 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Cypress River Manitoba
Posts: 207
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The Dexcool disappears for no reason.
They certainly have the technology to detect leaks and when they do check a vehicle that is a bit low in coolant, the detector equipment comes up with - no leaks found.
Stan
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2004 Itasca Sunrise W22 chassis GM 8.1 Allison 1000 Towing a 2007 Chevy Cobalt four wheels down.
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01-11-2019, 09:35 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 3,783
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Switchflicke
The Dexcool disappears for no reason.
They certainly have the technology to detect leaks and when they do check a vehicle that is a bit low in coolant, the detector equipment comes up with - no leaks found.
Stan
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That is very interesting. I did a flush and fill last yr. and installed DexCool again. Maybe a more modern coolant would have been better? Has anyone replaced their DexCool with a newer version?
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Dolphin 6376LX, 3 slide, W-24, Toyo tires, Blue OX Aventa LX, Patriot brake assist, 09' Saturn Vue
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01-11-2019, 01:14 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 7,592
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmw188
That is very interesting. I did a flush and fill last yr. and installed DexCool again. Maybe a more modern coolant would have been better? Has anyone replaced their DexCool with a newer version?
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My Workhorse dealer replaced my Dexcool with a green coolant several years ago, don't know which brand. He is not a fan of Dexcool.
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Don't know where I'm going, spose I'll get there anyway.
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01-11-2019, 01:30 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: St. Charles MO
Posts: 3,783
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Coolant usage?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland
My Workhorse dealer replaced my Dexcool with a green coolant several years ago, don't know which brand. He is not a fan of Dexcool.
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Did he say why? The old green coolant from the 90’s and earlier. That has less modern corrosion inhibitors. I do know you should not mix the old green stuff with Orange DexCool.
Google antifreeze colors and mixing.
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Dolphin 6376LX, 3 slide, W-24, Toyo tires, Blue OX Aventa LX, Patriot brake assist, 09' Saturn Vue
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01-11-2019, 01:44 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 7,592
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tmw188
Did he say why? The old green coolant from the 90’s and earlier. That has less modern corrosion inhabiters.
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Don't remember exactly what he said other than there were problems with Dexcool.
I don't think he was using old 90's coolant in 2013.....
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2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Don't know where I'm going, spose I'll get there anyway.
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