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D7E conundrum

pf/l

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Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
236
Location
Prince Albert Saskatchewan
Occupation
Farmer/logger/heavy equipment op.
Hey everyone had a odd problem today out of the blue with my D7E high horse motor.

Been doing some dirt work this fall and everything was going honky dory, took the day off yesterday for thanksgiving(yup I’m in Canada) and went back to work this afternoon again after a quick trip to the optometrist. Checked the engine oil and fired up as usual. Let it warm up while I was filling it up with fuel again and carried off on my way to where I was working. Only a couple hundred feet away. Back bladed some dirt out of a ditch in one spot and noticed the heat gauge was climbing quick. Backed up on level ground and checked the coolant. Sure enough it was low and there was a oil film around the top of the lid. Ok uh oh we have problems here. Drove back down into the ditch and checked the coolant again on the slope and still nothin showing. Got it back to the truck and parked it, was a bit of something burning off under the hood. Not exactly sure what it was but it wasn’t antifreeze. Seemed to be coming from around the glow plugs on the front head. Checked the transmission oil after that and sure enough it was overfull. The thing that gets me though is how does it go from running great to siting for 2 days and draining the coolant into the transmission. Sure seems odd. It’s been running warm but not hot. Around 180°F never gets much higher. Torque temp was climbing the last day i was working but that was the only unusual thing I saw. I’m assuming the transmission cooler sprung a leak but still seems odd to me that it would drain back like that siting there. I’m hoping the heads and head gasket are ok yet. Tonight I briefly fired it up again just to see how it sounded. Ran great with no blow by or smoke. Was smoking a bit when it was hot this afternoon. Actually smelt more like diesel though then oil. I let a little bit of oil out the drain plug at the back for the transmission. I didn’t get green antifreeze but the oil had a slight gray color to it. No leaks on the cat, everything was dry underneath yet. It’s a mile away from home now and I’d like to get it back here to work on it. We’re starting to freeze at night now so I’m Leary of putting water in it. Also hate to add more water to the transmission although it should go the other way when it’s running in a perfect world.

Any thoughts or help is appreciated.
 

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56wrench

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2016
Messages
2,074
Location
alberta
Sounds like your trans cooler is pooched. When the engine is shut off after running, the cooling system is pressurized and the trans is not, so coolant pushes into the trans. When the engine is running, the trans cooler pressure is likely more than the coolant pressure so trans fluid may push into the cooling system
 

Bluox

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2010
Messages
1,960
Location
WA state
Likely the transmission cooler.
With 35 gals oil takes a lot of anti freeze before it settles out.
A hard lesson here always check the radiator before you start motor ,if its low don't start investigate saves a big clean up job.
And if water is below temp sender you will break heads before you realize gauge is not warming up.
Good luck with repairs
Bob
 

pf/l

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Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
236
Location
Prince Albert Saskatchewan
Occupation
Farmer/logger/heavy equipment op.
Thanks guys. Appreciate the advice and info. The pressure regulating valve on top the rad is missing currently so the rad probably didn’t have much if any pressure in it but gravity would drain it down as well I suppose as the transmission case is lower.

Bob yes you are correct, and quick inspection could’ve saved some grief. It’s one of those things where you get complacent and in a hurry. It’s been ok so it’ll be ok sort of thing. It is a bit of a fluke but goes to show that it can happen. It is a bit odd as the cooler was replaced not to long before I got the cat I believe. I’ve owned it since about 2007 I believe. Bought it when I was just a few years out of high school and it’s stuck with me. I haven’t put a pile of hours on it but it does get used yearly. Probably around 550-600 now. Haven’t had the need to make new logging roads lately so it hasn’t seen as much use.

What do you guys think about limping it home the 1 mile from the field and draining the water and transmission oil as soon as I get it in the shop? If by chance I have to pull the heads I’d rather not do it in the field and our season is coming to a end here shortly anyways. Parts will be special order I’m sure so likely a week or two wait there too.

Thanks. Ryan
 

pf/l

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Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
236
Location
Prince Albert Saskatchewan
Occupation
Farmer/logger/heavy equipment op.
Might be able to get someone to haul it but it’s kind of a shame too on that short of distance. See what tomorrow brings I guess and see if I can’t get it home. Low of of 13°F(-8°C) tonight and calling for a chance of snow in the near future.
 

Bluox

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WA state
Might be able to get someone to haul it but it’s kind of a shame too on that short of distance. See what tomorrow brings I guess and see if I can’t get it home. Low of of 13°F(-8°C) tonight and calling for a chance of snow in the near future.
That would be the best way home.
Bob
 

pf/l

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Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
236
Location
Prince Albert Saskatchewan
Occupation
Farmer/logger/heavy equipment op.
Definitely the better option but itll be a while before someone can get here is the trouble. The concern one of my friends had was the coolant attacking the steering clutch discs. I wouldn’t think that would be a problem but I’ve been wrong before.
 

Mobiltech

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Jan 14, 2014
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1,680
Location
Sask.
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Self employed Heavy duty mechanic
If it’s only a mile drive it. By the time you load it and unload it off the truck there will be very little difference.
Just make sure the rad is full when you do it.
 

pf/l

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Jan 11, 2012
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236
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Prince Albert Saskatchewan
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Farmer/logger/heavy equipment op.
Talked with the scrap guy that is supposed to be out here in the next little bit to haul off some scrap iron and he said he can haul it home for me so I’ll hold off till tomorrow. He’s supposed to be here tomorrow morning. He might even have some used antifreeze to put in it.

Next hurdle will be flushing the cooler lines and everything else once I get the new cooler installed. Not sure which route I’ll take there yet. Hate to dump new oil in and right back out. One friend suggested diesel fuel I’m leery of hurting the seals.
 

pf/l

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Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
236
Location
Prince Albert Saskatchewan
Occupation
Farmer/logger/heavy equipment op.
You better check the o rings around the precombustion chambers sounds like they need replaced too

Will do, hopefully it’ll be home in a warm shop tomorrow so I can assess things a little better. Local dealer was having trouble sourcing a new cooler. I see a couple online that seem to change up from the old numbers. One new old stock cat one as well on eBay of it’s the correct one. Have another dealer checking into it and the first had emailed a few others so we’ll see what they come up with first I guess. Cat was over 3,000 according to the first dealer I called. Little excessive I thought lol.
 

pf/l

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Jan 11, 2012
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236
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Prince Albert Saskatchewan
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Farmer/logger/heavy equipment op.
Called finning this morning and my other dealer was correct, just shy of 2900$ for a classic cat part.

Might make a few calls to the rad shops and see if there’s any options to recore the cooler. Couple other places I’m going to check with on availability as well. They show stock online but some of these places show 1 of everything when you search for it so it doesn’t always mean much. Honestly didn’t think it would be this big of a issue to track one down. I’m sure Covid hasn’t helped. Couple options on eBay but they don’t list the mfg. Would like to stick to a known name but may have to consider the Chinese version. Likely supplies the other mfg anyways if the truth was known
 

Bluox

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Location
WA state
Called finning this morning and my other dealer was correct, just shy of 2900$ for a classic cat part.

Might make a few calls to the rad shops and see if there’s any options to recore the cooler. Couple other places I’m going to check with on availability as well. They show stock online but some of these places show 1 of everything when you search for it so it doesn’t always mean much. Honestly didn’t think it would be this big of a issue to track one down. I’m sure Covid hasn’t helped. Couple options on eBay but they don’t list the mfg. Would like to stick to a known name but may have to consider the Chinese version. Likely supplies the other mfg anyways if the truth was known
You might want to wait till you pull yours out and check it .As you describe your leak it may just be a seal leaking.
Bob
 

pf/l

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Jan 11, 2012
Messages
236
Location
Prince Albert Saskatchewan
Occupation
Farmer/logger/heavy equipment op.
You might want to wait till you pull yours out and check it .As you describe your leak it may just be a seal leaking.
Bob

Was planning on trying to rig up something to pressure test it once I have it out just to confirm. Would be nice if it was something simple but my luck doesn’t usually go that way it seems.
 

pf/l

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Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
236
Location
Prince Albert Saskatchewan
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Farmer/logger/heavy equipment op.
Well I got anxious and went out bright and early this morning and brought the cat home. Scrap guy was coming later on so I figured if worse came to worse we could make something work with his trailer. He has a scissor neck with home built beaver tails that aren’t made super heavy so he was a bit leery of running the cat straight up them without a ramp.

Filled the rad and let it warm up for a few minutes then headed out at a slow pace till the water temp came up a bit. Came home in 3rd gear at about 1/4 throttle with no problems. No overheating and no bubbles in the rad that I could see. The bad part was the chocolate milk in the rad though. Going to take serveral rinses to get the cooling system clean. Still not sure how I’ll get the transmission clean yet aside from
Multiple oil changes which sure counts up quick.
 

56wrench

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Dec 4, 2016
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alberta
Dawn dish soap in the cooling system works or if you don't like a lot of bubbles, try cascade dishwasher detergent. Years ago we used to use Dowanol (diethylbutylether ? Not sure if this is correct) added with oil for flushing to get rid of glycol contamination but its not available any more that i know of at least not through Finning like it used to be.
 

pf/l

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2012
Messages
236
Location
Prince Albert Saskatchewan
Occupation
Farmer/logger/heavy equipment op.
Dawn dish soap in the cooling system works or if you don't like a lot of bubbles, try cascade dishwasher detergent. Years ago we used to use Dowanol (diethylbutylether ? Not sure if this is correct) added with oil for flushing to get rid of glycol contamination but its not available any more that i know of at least not through Finning like it used to be.
I’ll have to do some checking and see if I can find it or a similar product. Thanks. Seems like all the old good cleaners have been banned or replaced by new environmental friendly replacements that don’t always do the same job.
 
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