My 7.3 keeps leaking coolant. My reservoir was showing full the other day and truck was leaking coolant, so I drained some coolant out to the max level line. Coolant leak stopped for a few days and then started leaking again. When I opened the hood the reservoir was full again so I drained down to the min. level this time and leak stopped for 2-4 days. Now it has started again and once again my reservoir is full but I do not want to drain anymore coolant in fear of causing engine to run hot. So far I have had no increased temps on engine while driving or idling. Seems to be leaking and ending up in the front wheel well on passenger side of my truck and all down the side. Drain plug on radiator, all hoses and things I can see seem to be ok. My main question is why does my reservoir keep filling back up and not draining. I believe the leak is just the overflow so I may have asked this question completly wrong. If I have please forgive my ignorance. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and God Bless.

Kyle
Dunmor, Ky

I Corinthians 1:5

 

Sounds like you may need some new fuel injector cups bud, been there doin that, does the coolant smell like diesel fuel? How many miles and are u a stop light to stoplight kind of driver or do u just kinda cruise easy? And do u tow?

 

Yes, it smells like diesel often and it has 181,000 miles. I drive about 35 miles one way daily with no stop and go. I tow some but not a lot just usually a camper a few times a year and a cattle trailer occasionally. Is this a repair I could work my way thru and If not what kinda money we looking at for parts and labor? Thanks for the help

 

Kyle, welcome to diesel bombers, glad to have ya...

Leaks are difficult to diagnose over the internet since we can't see it... Try to get the area as dry as you can... Then drive it and trace the leak... They usually aren't difficult to find if you spend a few minutes with a flashlight... As far as your coolant overflow filling back up... Doesn't sound good. does it look like there is diesel floating in the coolant? If so, your injector cups might be needing to be replaced... They will cause fuel to enter into the coolant system...

 

Thanks for the help guys you are awesome. I can't always diagnos what's going on and have only owned a diesel for a few years, but I do like to know what the problem may be so I can be informed of what kind of price I'm gonna be paying for repairs I can't do myself. I don't care to pay for repairs but just don't want to overpay. After some research I found an awesome how to video on youtube.com and a store on e-bay that sells the kits with all new o-rings for the injectors and a tool to do it yourself where the head does not have to be removed. I will probably purchase the kit for someone to repair cause I think I would turn a $500-$600 repair into a $8000 rebuild. I would post seller on e-bay and video from youtube link but I do not want to take the chance of posting a link for something I shouldn't. Thanks again for the awesome info.

 

Check out riffraff diesel also... Clay (the owner) can get you just about anything you need at great prices...

 

it might be a bad water pump i had a problem with mine losing coolant before you drop a ton of money into a new gasket check the water pump. and welcome to diesel bombers alot of the diesel sponsors here are really nice people they will help you out or one of us will help you out as best as we can

 

Ok, fellas I talked to a diesel mechanic and he said that to make the repairs replacing all injector cups if I purchase all the parts and either rent or purchase the tool he would make the repairs for $250.00. Does that sound like a pretty reasonable price? I am almost certain this is my problem cause I am getting diesel in my coolant system and when I drain reservoir down my coolant leak stops. Any other suggestions?

 

Local diesel shop here charges $300 labor for replacing cups (parts not included in the price). Not sure what the dealership would charge, but I suspect a bit more.

You can rent the tool from riffraff and other online vendors.

 

Cups are not bad to replace... Not fun, but not bad.

Riffraff for your parts and do it yourself would be my suggestion. Make sure your getting new injector O rings as well.