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Coolant blowout on 12 v 92

Discussion in 'Engines' started by bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014.

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  1. bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014
    #1
    bluesuit

    bluesuit Member

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    Too all of you diesel professors, when I get up to 1800 rpms the coolant blows out of the expansion tank to the recovery tank! Checked vents on expansion tank - two of them, clear. Is it a cracked head, head gasket, injector tube or worse?! BTW - engine does not overheat, no oil in coolant, no coolant in oil, and air boxes appear clear. Also, no exhaust smoke. Mysterious, eh!?


    Thanks!
  2. Old Phart, Feb 22, 2014
    #2
    Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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    I dunno
    Blows out or expands?
  3. bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014
    #3
    bluesuit

    bluesuit Member

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    blows out in to the recovery tank and causes the coolant level alarm to go off.
  4. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2014
    #4
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Fresh Caps? Can you put a pressure test set on it?
  5. Capt J, Feb 22, 2014
    #5
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Is the coolant only filling the recovery bottle or is the coolant overflowing out of the recovery bottle? When cold, the expansion tank should be full and the recovery bottle only about 1/3 full.......
  6. bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014
    #6
    bluesuit

    bluesuit Member

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    Coolant is flowing out of header tank to the plastic recovery tank filling it to the very top.
  7. Capt J, Feb 22, 2014
    #7
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Is it overflowing out of the recovery tank after that? If it is, it sounds like you have some combustion gasses getting into the coolant (assuming the engines not overheating from a stuck thermostat). It could be a cracked head, an injector tube, leaking liner or o-ring......You could pump up the system with a pump on the expansion tank and see if it holds pressure. If it doesn't then you're going to have to start yanking injectors and do a compression test or start tearing it down. Although with the DDEC computer, you might be able to do a cylinder diagnostic test and see if you find one with lower compression.
  8. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2014
    #8
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Borrow a Stant pressure test kit form your local parts store. Install it but don't pump it up. Run motor dockside and see what pressure builds up on the gage. Dockside, no load idle, u should find 4-5 psi when warm.
    Then shut down. Get a cup of coffee. It should be a long while before that gage goes down.
    If it goes up past 6 psi, it's serious.
    We were just talking about caps in another thread. Every 2 years replace them. It could (hands together) be that simple.
    Best wishes,
    rc
  9. bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014
    #9
    bluesuit

    bluesuit Member

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    changed caps already. good idea to pressure test. how serious?
  10. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2014
    #10
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    What pressure new caps?

    Skippy J made some comments below. AND, there is more. Lets not think about the dark side yet.

    In another direction; are you sure your not starting to over heat? Sure Sure??

    Any history of getting warm in the near past?

    Do you have a Detroit shop close by? Get some test strips that detect gasses in the coolant. That may save some bux before calling in a heavy.
  11. bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014
    #11
    bluesuit

    bluesuit Member

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    no over heating and thats from mechanical gauge in engine room
  12. bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014
    #12
    bluesuit

    bluesuit Member

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    I've got test strips on the boat. what should i look for?
  13. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2014
    #13
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I'm not referring to coolant p-h or power-cool levels. There is a gas strip also. Usually, there is a color bar to compare the wetted strips to.
  14. bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014
    #14
    bluesuit

    bluesuit Member

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    got it. thanks!
  15. Capt J, Feb 22, 2014
    #15
    Capt J

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    Also check the date on the bottle the strips are in as they go bad after a few years.
  16. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2014
    #16
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I'm sorry, I had to come back to this. What your mechanical gages show you now does not reflect on any history. A trash bag for a few moments is all it takes..
    So, next question, water pump impeller history or inspection?
  17. bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014
    #17
    bluesuit

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    coolant pump impellar? never done anything to it and don't know shape of it. could that be the source of issue? engine has never gotten over 180 degrees.
  18. bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014
    #18
    bluesuit

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    raw water pump impeller gets changed every year.
  19. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2014
    #19
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Since your problem started? Lets pull the cover and take a peek. Just takes a minute. At 1800 loaded rpm, those ole 92s need lots of water. If for a few seconds there was a restriction, then blew away, A vane or two could be damaged.
    Still trying to go over the little things before the dark side becomes a real topic.
  20. bluesuit, Feb 22, 2014
    #20
    bluesuit

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    what you think the dark side could be? you want me to check the raw water impeller?
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