Community Forums

andiscot · 03-26-2023, 06:35 PM

A friend of mine had a similar problem. Turned out to be coolant leaking into the turbo.

Jon_C · 03-26-2023, 06:38 PM

I lost almost 2 gallons of coolant recently, saw it dripping near radiator when cold. Kept eye on it and drove home and didn’t leak anymore.

At home i got to looking and all the clamps were loose. It was clear the coolant was leaking from top hose on rad.

I had changed all the hoses awhile back and never rechecked clamps. Been on 2 more trip’s probably 3000 miles and no more issues.

So a loose clamp can leak 2 gallons once then stop. I wouldn’t have believed it.

edge68474 · 03-26-2023, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heatherdawnc

Most coolant already has yellow/green fluorescent dye in it. They put it in to help forensics detect ethylene glycol poisoning. You should only need the UV light. Google it. You don't have to add anything

Excellent info, thank you.

wolfe10 · 03-26-2023, 06:56 PM

While a "worse case scenario" could be possible, please do a reasonable diagnosis before falling into the "drama".

Identify the source of the leak. If external, very easy to detect. Buy/borrow (many auto parts houses lend them out free) a cooling system pressure tester. Pressurize the system (preferably with the engine cold) and see what you see.

Absolutely, since under warranty if more than a simple hose clamp or other easy to fix item, take it to the dealer.

But, knowing the source of the leak will give you peace of mind and help shorten your coach's stay at the dealer.

INKY Newbies · 03-26-2023, 07:52 PM

As several have suggested and as was our case, coolant was leaking into the diesel engine. First symptom was lose of coolant with no external leakage signs. Second symptom was engine starting to have difficulty starting.

Took MH into shop and first thing they did was remove the coolant cap in the overflow container and dip a finger in to do a smell test. Mechanic immediately smelled diesel fuel. Turns out one or more of the injector cups had begun to leak fluid both ways with coolant seeping into the engine and diesel into the coolant system. Had to replace all the injector cups at a diesel shop. Rig has started and run fine since then with no coolant loses. I hope it is just a slow external leak, but by all means, get it checked out!

alank · 03-26-2023, 08:42 PM

Keep good documentation of the coolant added and the miles. It’s still under warranty so get it back to the manufacturer, Cummins or Spartan so they can get it fixed. I had a leak on the engine that was being burned off as it leaked so I could never see it. Took it to Freightliner with my documentation and after they serviced it, hasn’t leaked since.

FlNewmarBob · 03-27-2023, 05:28 AM

OP must be a Newby or in denial. Just because you didn't detect any loss on your short trip does not mean there isn't an issue. You dumped 1.3 gal in over 6k....it went somewhere! You might not detect a couple oz. Forget waiting and get the thing in NOW. Again, it went somewhere... Could be minor, but could get bad later. ..You are under Warranty...and if you suspect an issue and fail to report promptly, Cummins can deny you later when things go really bad.. Don't be lazy, be smart!

RVFunlovers · 03-27-2023, 05:41 AM

Thanks for all the advice.
I am not a newbie, not in denial, and not lazy. I admit I am not an expert either.

I did just make an appointment for my local Cummins shop to take a look.
Hopefully this week the problem is diagnosed and resolved.

I hope this is something simple. Either way it will get worked out.

Thanks for all the help. I will share what is found.

raceday · 03-27-2023, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVFunlovers

I have had to add coolant to my coach three times in the past 6,000 miles.

Not much coolant. About 1.3 gallons total.

I have seen no coolant under my radiator. I have seen a few drops under the back of the coach on the ground. Looks like it would be right under the coolant fill area.

I have seen no leak, drip, active drop, etc…
No change in engine temp at all.

I have been keeping a couple gallons of final charge with me and traveling with plenty of water in my fresh water tank.

How big of a concern is this? Make an appointment with a repair shop ASAP? Or wait until I go to Spartan 7 months from now for regular service?

I am not even sure it is leaking enough to see. But coolant is going somewhere.

When I add coolant I am adding enough to just cover the sight glass.

Coach is still under warranty.

My last 2 coaches would leak at the radiator hose clamp, maybe check all of them.

JimKelly · 03-27-2023, 07:21 AM

Hal,
I had the same issue and when it got a little worse I finally noticed where the leak was coming from. I took it to my local Cummins dealer and after a pressure check they found a small hole in the radiator near the frame rail. They said it was definetly not from road damage and would be covered under warranty. Now I'm waiting for Spartan to send a new radiator to the shop.

brobox · 03-27-2023, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raceday

My last 2 coaches would leak at the radiator hose clamp, maybe check all of them.

Hey Richard. That is more common than not. All of my hose clamps were loose on the 14 and a few on the 19, they all had torque paint on them. The top radiator hose was stained white from dried coolant. But, I am one of those that will try the easy things first before rebuilding the engine.

PeterFTH · 03-27-2023, 09:11 PM

Most coolant leaks are not static but dynamic - it’s coming out probably from one or more loose hose clamps in the system. You won’t see anything under it when parked if that’s the case.

MLT1953 · 03-28-2023, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVFunlovers

I have had to add coolant to my coach three times in the past 6,000 miles.

Not much coolant. About 1.3 gallons total.

I have seen no coolant under my radiator. I have seen a few drops under the back of the coach on the ground. Looks like it would be right under the coolant fill area.

I have seen no leak, drip, active drop, etc…

No change in engine temp at all.

I have been keeping a couple gallons of final charge with me and traveling with plenty of water in my fresh water tank.

How big of a concern is this? Make an appointment with a repair shop ASAP? Or wait until I go to Spartan 7 months from now for regular service?

I am not even sure it is leaking enough to see. But coolant is going somewhere.

When I add coolant I am adding enough to just cover the sight glass.

Coach is still under warranty.

I had the misfortune of losing my radiator on my 2003 Southwind 32v 8.1 Vortec. I've done my own repairs for years as well as being a industrial mechanic. I had coolant loss that I chased for about a year. I have my own pressure test unit that I had purchased at Napa. Finally found the leak. When I replaced the radiator I also replaced the water pump and all the hoses, even the bypass and the heater hoses. My leak was resolved after retorque of all the hoses. In 40 years of turning wrenches I couldn't believe I had missed something so basic. Turns out best practice should be retorque after the engine has reached operating temperature and cooled down a few times.

rggarrott · 03-28-2023, 05:20 PM

Last fall, in the process of dealing with a water leak on the back of the Aquahot I found a small leak from a connector on a hose leading back to the engine block; I gave the hose clamp two full turns and that seemed to stop it. I could not tell if the liquid that had been leaking was boiler fluid or antifreeze. Whatever was leaking was falling into the flat pan the Aquahot sits in and anything that didn't evaporate went out the bottom drain. Hope this helps.