I am attempting to kill my KDP, but when I got stuff off the front of the engine I noticed a major green leak in the area just under the thermostat housing, but it does not look like it came from the housing. I have pictures awaiting apporval..... I'm not happy.....

Any opinions?

 

Is it the head gasket?

 

I don't know, but it looks like it's leaking anti-freeze from the front left corner under the thermostat location.

p.s. This KDP job is getting pretty expensive! Radiator, possible head gasket, hoses, groove on the crank snout, thermostat, repair oil leaks on vacuum/power steering pumps, water pump (while I have everything torn down).....

 

Replacing the HG doesn't look like that hard of a job other than it's darn heavy. I have heard that you can get a metal sleeve to cover the groove in the shaft worn by the seal. I have replaced seals many times without regard to the groove however and they do alright.

Have you tried stop leak? Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I used it to patch a cracked radiator tank on my car which I then drove to CA. I then replaced the radiator but it slowed the leak down to just a few drops here and there. I could have run it for a long time but the guy who was storing my car for me didn't like the spots of coolant on his concrete.

Minor leaks can be messy but a lot of people live with them for a long time and never fix them. Since these engines go so far on an overhaul it's inevitable that you're going to get a few leaks.

Edwin

 

Here are the pix:




nd here is the groove:

 

it looks like the head gasket is bad,but dont worry they are really easy. If you have to do it just make sure you get the push rods down into the little dimple you can feal them with the push rod when putting them back in

 

While not to that extent, I saw my mess wet with green in that same head/block seam.

 

That groove doesn't look severe enough to cause a problem. Just reseal it and go. Try the stop leak.

Edwin

 

I would sleeve the crank snout.

No doubt you will need a head gasket at some point. You will need an engine hoist or a friend with a strong back and a weak mind to get the head back on.

 

I kinda hate to pull the head without fire slotting it, re-grinding the valves, polishing the ports and port matching them, head studs etc. but the budjet won't allow it right now. The radiator is probably going to be 200-300 smackers as it is....

Can you help me out with the snout, as in what kind of sleeve and where do I get one?

 

Measure the snout with a dial caliper. Your parts house should be able to get you a speedy-sleave ( CR seal brand ) for it. It is a thin steel sleeve that is installed on the snout, it covers the groove and gives the seal a new surface to seal on. They cost about 20 to 30 bucks. I would advise against the stop leak, it is ok in an emergency but can cause real problems with the rest of the cooling system (radiator and heater core).

 

Cummins sells a sleeve and seal set that uses an oversize seal.

 

How much do these cost? DO you use some sort of glue/sealant between the sleeve and the crank? This sounds like the bomb for a KDP job.

Edwin

 

Not sure on the price. The sleeve is a press fit, it actually stretches when you install it.

 

I agree- get a speedy sleeve on that crank. If it even has a witness mark on it, I sleeve it, after my rear main passed the "fingernail test." (If you cant feel it with your fingernail, you'r egood to go).

Wanna- I replaced my head gasket in Feb (had to be the only cold weekend of the winter 'round here). Got it off and back on by myself, but I had my buddy's 1/2ton 4x4 tailgate to use as a platform. I'd want help to do it again.

mhuppertz- You'll be fine with the head gasket for now. Get the kit this time around, and use what you need from it. Then, when the budget allows, and you can fire-ring and port the head, get just the gasket. I got the HG and intake gaskets for my latest head gasket job. I had injector washers and the other little stuff needed in the toolbox. Mine was leaking similar to yours, and I needed .0095" milled off the head. kinda bowed in the middle.

Daniel