Hey all,
So I've been driving my cummins for about 6 months (10k miles). When I did some light research after purchasing it, I read about the 53 block and it's pitfalls but never checked if I was a victim. I'm about to dump a pretty sizable sum into the front end of my truck, and wanted to kind of make sure this truck will be good for it in the end. It IS a 53 block. It has 295k miles. I drove the truck around for a couple hours today, looked at the part of the block where the leak should be taking place, and didn't see any real moisture. Looking for some insight into this issue. I am losing coolant very slowly, (have to ad every month or so), but apparently I don't have the infamous block crack... yet.
- How big of a water flow should I be looking for at the outset of the issue?
- If my truck hasn't had the issue yet, is it fair to assume that it will not have problems in the future? (I read that not all blocks are affected and if it hasn't had an issue by 100k miles, it is likely ok).
- Just want to feel out people's opinions on this matter. My current sentiment is to just keep driving it... push the issue out of mind and not give way to paranoia. I don't have much into this vehicle so if it dumps, it dumps.. but I don't want it to dump 500 miles from home. I'm in the boat business so the truck tows frequently, although nothing over 8k usually and I'm a gentle driver most of the time.
Any input here very helpful.
sounds like you already have a problem somewhere. How does your oil look? are there any traces of coolant on the ground? just how much do you have too add? definitely a good idea to find where the coolant is going before adding any extra niceties, especially if you have the 53 block.
If it is not cracked, it is too late to worry your self about it now. 295 should have went by now. 625 on mine now. If you are loosing water more now than evaporation from bottle, it cold be heater core or head gasket. Any for on the windshield? Smell in cab? Damp under pass carpet?
Not all 53 block crack. Like Bigfish and CajFlynn (1.3 Million Miles) so if you that high in mileage I doubt it will crack. I would follow Bigfish suggestions on finding the leak. I typically will take a coolant tester and pump up the system cold and leave it sit and look for coolant dripping on the shop floor and trace it back.
Auto trans? If so the crack will be behind the heat exchanger and easier to see from the bottom. Mine was very visible though. Google it for some pics. I could see where the coolant ran down the side of the block and dried to a chalky like look. Had a few drops on the trans line to the heat exchanger also but most evaporated before a drop would form. I did not see a very noticeable use of coolant even with a 6" crack but I feel it wasn't that bad before I found it, so I think if yours was cracked you would probably have a puddle on the ground if you are seeing a coolant loss. Agreed at that mileage you should not have an issue, but then I read of some cracking much later than the so called safe mileage of 100k. Mine was very typical cracking at 96k
Truck is '99 4x4 autotragic. So yes, the proposed cracking spot is very difficult to see. I mostly ascertained by feeling around up there and watching for moisture while running. There is some rust-looking staining on side of block just beneath where I would expect the crack to form, but the truck is Georgia truck so there is clay-colored staining everywhere. Hard to tell for sure. Like I said, no moisture collecting or dripping from my observations so far. Several times, I have seen water puddle underneath truck in this general area, but my observations yesterday confirmed that that is just AC condensation dripping. No water in oil, at least not in last oil change. Very slight accumulation on oil cap, but I figure that to be acceptable. When I first purchased truck, it did have some puddling of coolant on the pass side floor, which I assumed to be heater core, but it only did it twice or so and I haven't seen it in 3-4 months at least so I didn't look to far into it. I don't mind having to top off coolant once a month so long as there isn't a major underlying issue. Not too eager to tear dash apart to get at the heater core.
Is there an easy way to remove trans heat exchanger to inspect more closely? Would like to have a handle on this issue before I invest in Redhead steering box and other expensive bits for the front of truck. (It steers something akin to an aircraft carrier. One could get an upper body workout from driving on highway for 200 miles. It wanders all over the place)
The crack is in the outer water jacket, so probably not related to oil in the water or water in the oil. That would usually be a symptom of a bad head gasket.
Do the heater core and a good flush when you get at chance.
Hmmm. If you have a crack it is easy to see. No need to remove exchanger. Could be just a loose clamp at the heater core hoses then, or a heater core which is not a big deal to replace. As far as steering that is a different issue. Did you check the ball joints,TRE's , track bar, ect. A lot of steering box issues are just a matter of adjusting the box bearings and there is much info. on here about that.
On the other hand, if you have rust colored stains where the 53 crack happens, you may have it. Mine leaked very slowly at first and didn't drip. I noticed the problem one day when I saw a puff of steam from the cowl when I parked. I said to myself, "aw rats, I must have a loose clamp or a bad heater hose"...
nope.
I kept driving it and filling it up with water until I could afford a new engine.
Big Fish, understood. Was referencing an earlier suggestion of head gasket failure. Don't *think* that is an issue. No other tell tails of that. I just haven't seen water pooling in the pass floorboard in so long I don't think it's leaking. Frankly, I don't really see any water leaks at all. Other than AC as mentioned.
I definitely couldn't see or feel any cracks, so I am doubtful that I have a crack. I'll get up there with a mirror and inspect more closely.
On steering, yes took to shop and had it checked. Basically everything is original in front end and it's all needing to be replaced. I plan to do all BJs, tie rods, steering gearbox (it sucks and is also leaking), PS hoses (Busted and leaking), track bar, front and rear brakes, sway bar links, and a column bushing that I read was poorly designed from the offset. A few other odds and ends.
If you need and are going to do the whole front end, you probably need to do Control arms too.
A small amount of coolant will evaporate from the bottle constantly. Many heater core leaks will be slight and not wet the carpet but will fog the windows o smell a bit. Heater hoses can also crack and leak near the fittings on the engine.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Cummins Diesel Forum
8.8M posts
379.2K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to all things Cummins Diesel! Originally founded for owners and enthusiasts of Cummins powered Dodge pickups, the Cummins Forum has expanded to include ALL Cummins Engine applications! Come join the discussion about reviews, drivetrain swaps, turbos, modifications, classifieds, builds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!