Anti-freeze mess
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Anti-freeze mess
I just ran my 04 SD with a SCT custom tune (Extream RACE). Really cool stuff. It seems that when I run the truck WOT I am getting a fair amount of anti-freeze spray coming out of the reservoir area. The tank is showing low and I keep filling it but it just keeps spraying out. Any others have the same ?
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From: So Cal
I vaguely recall a similar thread a month back. Something about the tuners causing this problem. Weird.
Normally I would say you have a head gasket leak but from the rpevious thread maybe you just need a tweak to the tuner or I very vaguely recall there was a mechanical part that you could change that allows the engine to work with a tuner without spraying fluid.
See if you can find the old thread.
Jim Henderson
Normally I would say you have a head gasket leak but from the rpevious thread maybe you just need a tweak to the tuner or I very vaguely recall there was a mechanical part that you could change that allows the engine to work with a tuner without spraying fluid.
See if you can find the old thread.
Jim Henderson
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From: Peoria, IL
This problem is well known in the 6.0L forum. It can be caused by a number of things.
1. Coolant Overfill (the min/max line on the bottle is wrong on many trucks. there is a TSB for this)
2. Bad reservoir cap (seal on cap goes bad so it looses collant easily)
3. EGR sticking (the EGR gets stuck open allowing too much exhaust gas into the EGR cooler. The excess gass causes the coolant to boil and spill)
4. Bad head gasket (head gasket allows cylinder pressure to leak into coollant causing overflow. Sometimes the leak is only at high temp/pressures and the diesel techs miss the problem)
Running a programmer can allow excess boost to be generated (over 30psi of boost is not good for your engine unless you have updated head studs and gaskets). Where did you get the tuner? Are you running the stock tunes or custom ones from the dealer?
1. Coolant Overfill (the min/max line on the bottle is wrong on many trucks. there is a TSB for this)
2. Bad reservoir cap (seal on cap goes bad so it looses collant easily)
3. EGR sticking (the EGR gets stuck open allowing too much exhaust gas into the EGR cooler. The excess gass causes the coolant to boil and spill)
4. Bad head gasket (head gasket allows cylinder pressure to leak into coollant causing overflow. Sometimes the leak is only at high temp/pressures and the diesel techs miss the problem)
Running a programmer can allow excess boost to be generated (over 30psi of boost is not good for your engine unless you have updated head studs and gaskets). Where did you get the tuner? Are you running the stock tunes or custom ones from the dealer?
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Man that's a lot of things it could be. Where do I start ? Oh boy, the boost gauge is burried at 36 PSI.
Inovative Diesel did the extream race tune on my SCT. I guess I should check the worst possible cause, the head gasket.
Inovative Diesel did the extream race tune on my SCT. I guess I should check the worst possible cause, the head gasket.
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From: Peoria, IL
If you're getting 36psi then I am willing to bet that you have stretched the head bolts and blown a head gasket. The guys from Long Island Performance Diesel are able to write programs for the SCT that perform great without overboosting. You might want to consider scrapping the programs you have and talking to them.
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Looked around the engine compartment and could not see what would be head gasket failure. If it was the head gasket, it would leak all the time correct ? The anti-freeze level is below the min mark and the coolant seems to be stabilized now under WOT.
Looking down the road what is involved cost wise to change the head bolts ?
Looking down the road what is involved cost wise to change the head bolts ?
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From: Peoria, IL
I believe everybody suggests ARP studs and they run about $550. I'm sure labor to install them is the killer though as you either have to pull the engine or lift the cab.
You won't necessarily see the head gasket leaking. It usually leaks between the cylinder and the coolant passages, so the high pressure air blows through the coolant passage and blows coolant out of the bottle. A lot of times the coolant will start to turn brown from oil/soot contamination. Sometimes you will also get white smoke out the exhaust from burning coolant.
You may still be ok though. I believe the coolant level normally sits about half an inch below the min line. If it's around there just leave it alone and drive it for a while and see if it continues to happen. I will warn you though, if you really are seeing 36lbs of boost it is only a matter of time until you have to replace the headgaskets and studs.
You won't necessarily see the head gasket leaking. It usually leaks between the cylinder and the coolant passages, so the high pressure air blows through the coolant passage and blows coolant out of the bottle. A lot of times the coolant will start to turn brown from oil/soot contamination. Sometimes you will also get white smoke out the exhaust from burning coolant.
You may still be ok though. I believe the coolant level normally sits about half an inch below the min line. If it's around there just leave it alone and drive it for a while and see if it continues to happen. I will warn you though, if you really are seeing 36lbs of boost it is only a matter of time until you have to replace the headgaskets and studs.
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OK, the coolant level is 1-inch below the min mark and the truck is still blowing coolant. The exhaust has no signs of white smoke. I would like to entertain the EGR idea. How would I see if the EGR was sticking ?
Option 2 is to look into if the head gasket is leaking. I have a real good auto shop by me and they said they will test the coolant vapor for cylinder contaminants. If this is the case do I wait until it catestrofic damage or do I be pro-active and do it now and cause less damage ? Who around here in NJ does this kind of work and what could I expect for cost ?
Option 2 is to look into if the head gasket is leaking. I have a real good auto shop by me and they said they will test the coolant vapor for cylinder contaminants. If this is the case do I wait until it catestrofic damage or do I be pro-active and do it now and cause less damage ? Who around here in NJ does this kind of work and what could I expect for cost ?
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From: Peoria, IL
Go down to the 6.0L forum and look around. I think there may be an article on cleaning the EGR valve in the tech folder. If it is really dirty I would probably replace it, I don't think they are that expensive.
If it is your head gasket then I would probably suggest going and getting it fixed rather than waiting for more damage to happen.
If it is your head gasket then I would probably suggest going and getting it fixed rather than waiting for more damage to happen.
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Thank's fella's. You guys have really given me some good and more importantly prompt info on this subject. Just as my Lightning was, these PSD's are addicting. I am thinking of doing propane in the future so I my opt to pull the entire motor and build it bulletproof.