Hey Guys,
I have pictures on my phone which i will upload once i read the post on how to do so. While i am doing that, i wanted to get your opnions. I have a 2003 with 51000 miles. the original owner had only put 32000 miles on it in 8 years. i have put the recent 19000 miles on it in 6 months or so. On the passenger side of the engine, i have antifreeze seeping up from underneath my head bolts. it is also coming up through those threaded bolts with no heads, next to the head bolts. There was no antifreeze in my oil, and no oil in my antifreeze. Is this a blown head gasket? should i look at something else before i pull the trigger on pulling the head? any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. pics to follow as soon as i figure that out!

Rob

 

Rob,

If I were you, I would call the original owner if able and inquire about previous repair work if any first. Also, if you can, remove the Rocker Lever Cover to expose the other head bolts that sit inside rocker housing. There is a total of 26 head bolts on the cylinder head. Some engines have unequal length and equal length capscrews(head bolts). One other thing, is the antifreeze seeping in one certain area or all over? If you need, feel free to email me.

Darrell

 

Of the 5-10 bolts visable on the passenger side of the engine, there is anti-freeze seeping up from 6 or so. the worst offender is the hex bolt in the center (between the #3 and #4 ex ports.) i cleaned it all off, and took it for a 20 min, EASY drive. and there was about a dime size puddle next to that center bolt when i pulled in the drive after the 20 mins. I dont really have access to the previous owner. He was a million years old, and the only notable thing done was a new clutch at 31000 miles. he kept good records of this, so i cant imagine that he would have done something else and not kept a record of it. Hope this helps with anyones thoughts. Thanks for the quick response from Tx!! Hope i live there some day.
Thanks again.

Rob

 

The allen head plugs have been known to leak. Check them to see how tight they are. May want to pull them and put some thread sealer on them and re-install.

 

You can do this, but if I were you, I would take the truck into a local cummins distributor repair center and let them perform a pressure test on the head first before you go pulling head bolts etc. Also, there is a torque pattern and head bolt reuse guidelines that need to be followed to do the job right. Just starting with the basics is all.

 

Maybe list your location to see if anyone is close that could give you a hand if you need.

 

I am gonna take her to the Cummins place tomorrow. its 15 miles away. hopefully i dont do any more damage getting there. Also I live in Norfolk VA, if anyone reading this is interested in helping me in person! I would love the help!!! Thanks

Rob

 

I would try tighten them a little before taking them out. These plugs are known to leak a little.

I do not think you have a blown head gasket.

 

Papa,
Do you think that if those plugs were loose/leaking, that it may cause the coolant to seep up from the actual head bolts? If it is not a blown head gasket, do you think that the only issue is those plugs? I am not too sure what those plugs do, and is there torque specs on them? I think i will try re-tightening them, if you think that they may be the cause. Thanks for the info again.

Rob

 

With the fluid leaking from the plugs it may make it appear to be comming from the head bolts as well. Tighten the plugs and wash down the area and then look for more leaks. I assume that it still has the original coolant and will be red. I think the plugs are there to close the holes needed in the manufacture of the head.

Mine have also leaked.

 

Papa,
i gave the plugs each about 3/4 turn and in the short run it seems to have fixed the problem. I will be doing a major degrease of the engine compartment tomorrow and then taking a couple different length drives to see if the problem comes back. I am going to mark the plugs with a paint marker to see if they vibrate loose or not. If they do, i guess i will pull them a put new sealer on there. Thanks for the quick responses!!! It is a shame that solving other peoples problems from 800 miles away doesnt come with more perks. You guys deserve some awards or something :-) Thanks so much!!!

Rob

 

The allen head plugs are not the head bolts. They are coolant passage plugs and have been known to leak.


Glad you got it fixed. Disaster overted.

 

You're going to want to R&R each of the plugs, clean the threads and apply some pipe thread sealant/teflon tape.