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03-16-2019, 06:47 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Tampa FL
Posts: 502
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Coolant leaks when I run the engine block heater
I've noticed the coolant leaks whenever I run the engine block heater, but don't notice any lose of coolant otherwise. Any ideas, has anyone heard of this unusual problem?
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2018 Coachmen Sportscoach 408DB
41 foot DP
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL -Alpha Blue Ox and RVI3
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03-16-2019, 06:51 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,183
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larliebler
I've noticed the coolant leaks whenever I run the engine block heater, but don't notice any lose of coolant otherwise. Any ideas, has anyone heard of this unusual problem?
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AC block heater?
Or aqua hot coolant heater ?
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03-16-2019, 07:05 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Shawnee OK
Posts: 757
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are you sure it's coolant, could be condensation maybe
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2005 Journey 39F 350 hp Cat
Ex 99 Itasca 36’ 275 hp Cummins
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03-16-2019, 07:06 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Tampa FL
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HJLowell
AC block heater?
Or aqua hot coolant heater ?
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Diesel engine block heater. Around here it's below freezing, so I turn it on the night before I pull out and turn the heater off right before I start the engine.
I have found a small puddle of coolant each time I have used the engine block heater.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Sportscoach 408DB
41 foot DP
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL -Alpha Blue Ox and RVI3
It's never too late to do the right thing!
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03-16-2019, 07:36 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Tampa FL
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skiddy
are you sure it's coolant, could be condensation maybe
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It's red in color, and there's plenty of it. Here are two pics on two different occasions.  
__________________
2018 Coachmen Sportscoach 408DB
41 foot DP
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL -Alpha Blue Ox and RVI3
It's never too late to do the right thing!
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03-16-2019, 07:47 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,037
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Quote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by HJLowell View Post
AC block heater?
Or aqua hot coolant heater ?
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Diesel engine block heater. Around here it's below freezing, so I turn it on the night before I pull out and turn the heater off right before I start the engine.
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The question was whether is is an electric heater, ie an electric element that you turn on and of by plug/switch/breaker or whether it's part of the Aquahot, which also makes your hot water and cabin heat.
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'20 RAM 3500, '20 Heartland Road Warrior 430 https://thecastle.blog/ Also: Eagle Cap 950 Before:'17 Berkshire 38A class A https://dragonship.blog/ '11 Heartland Cyclone TH, '11 Lance TC, '05 Keystone TT, '76 Coachmen class A and a '16 DIY Transit conversion........
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03-16-2019, 08:17 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Tampa FL
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oscarvan
The question was whether is is an electric heater, ie an electric element that you turn on and of by plug/switch/breaker or whether it's part of the Aquahot, which also makes your hot water and cabin heat.
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I don't have an Aquahot or equivalent. I have two 10 gallon gas/electric water heaters and a conventional propane furnace.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Sportscoach 408DB
41 foot DP
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL -Alpha Blue Ox and RVI3
It's never too late to do the right thing!
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03-16-2019, 08:27 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,037
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So then you have an electric plug in block heater, 120V.
It's a screw in element, a lot like an electric hot water heater. First step is to locate it and see if it's loose.
Looks like a lot of them are behind the fuel filter, directly into the block. No guarantees that's where yours is, but it's a place to start.
__________________
'20 RAM 3500, '20 Heartland Road Warrior 430 https://thecastle.blog/ Also: Eagle Cap 950 Before:'17 Berkshire 38A class A https://dragonship.blog/ '11 Heartland Cyclone TH, '11 Lance TC, '05 Keystone TT, '76 Coachmen class A and a '16 DIY Transit conversion........
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03-16-2019, 09:15 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Out there, somewhere
Posts: 9,941
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Well,
So far, you've not stated just WHERE the coolant is leaking from. You've stated it may be related to the operation of the engine block heater but, have you actually laid down and looked at where EXACTLY the coolant is coming from?
Scott
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2004 ITASCA HORIZON 36GD, 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 Toad '20 Honda NC750X DCT
 2018 Goldwing Tour DCT Airbag
Retired-29.5 yrs, SDFD, Ham - KI6OND
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03-16-2019, 09:17 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Fort Myers FL
Posts: 402
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Am I right that it only leaks when the element is activated? It does not leak if started from cold at above freezing temps? I'd plug it in, let it start dripping, and slide under with a rag and a flashlight.
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2001 Winnebago Chieftain 36W F53
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03-16-2019, 11:20 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Tampa FL
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIRE UP
Well,
So far, you've not stated just WHERE the coolant is leaking from. You've stated it may be related to the operation of the engine block heater but, have you actually laid down and looked at where EXACTLY the coolant is coming from?
Scott
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I did try to locate where the leak is coming from, but so far I have not able to determine the origin of the leak. I can see it dripping from above when I'm flat on my back but not exactly where it's coming from. I've also tried to eyeball it from the interior hatch, but from that angle I don't see much of anything.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Sportscoach 408DB
41 foot DP
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL -Alpha Blue Ox and RVI3
It's never too late to do the right thing!
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03-16-2019, 11:24 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Tampa FL
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zigzag03
Am I right that it only leaks when the element is activated? It does not leak if started from cold at above freezing temps? I'd plug it in, let it start dripping, and slide under with a rag and a flashlight.
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Well since I noticed it, it's two for two, both times I have used the heater it has leaked. I'm still monitoring to make sure there is no evidence of it leaking regardless of the heater being used.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Sportscoach 408DB
41 foot DP
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL -Alpha Blue Ox and RVI3
It's never too late to do the right thing!
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03-16-2019, 11:27 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Tampa FL
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oscarvan
So then you have an electric plug in block heater, 120V.
It's a screw in element, a lot like an electric hot water heater. First step is to locate it and see if it's loose.
Looks like a lot of them are behind the fuel filter, directly into the block. No guarantees that's where yours is, but it's a place to start.
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I'll look some more tomorrow. Thanks for the picture, hopefully I can find it.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Sportscoach 408DB
41 foot DP
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL -Alpha Blue Ox and RVI3
It's never too late to do the right thing!
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03-17-2019, 11:48 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Tampa FL
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larliebler
I'll look some more tomorrow. Thanks for the picture, hopefully I can find it.
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So the leak is there even when I don't run the engine block heater, but I still believe running the block heater exacerbates the problem because I have a lot more coolant on the ground.
Tried my best with a flashlight, but just can't see where the leak is originating. I will bring it into the freightliner authorized service center and hope they can find it and fix it on the first attempt. I will post the fix after I get it repaired. Thanks for everyone's input.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Sportscoach 408DB
41 foot DP
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL -Alpha Blue Ox and RVI3
It's never too late to do the right thing!
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