Flatheadfever
Member
I have these problem. Pressured system even after sitting for a couple days. Coolant low by a cup every 500 miles.
Can you change a head gasket in place or does the engine have to be pulled?Typically a head gasket issue.
While the cold residual radiator cap pressure and coolant loss are typical symptoms, misc. other circulation related issues may exist.
Among those are erratic heater operation and a unique one recently- an '05 owner comes to me with a defective EGR valve and reports he has replaced 4 in the last 2 months. The EGR seller on EBay kept faithfully sending him warranty replacements!
That is indicative of EGR valve damage from localized overheating due to lack of coolant circulation in the EGR cooling circuit. Yes, the EGR coolant circuit does more than intake charge exhaust flow cooling, it also keeps the valve alive and well.
Moral of the story- combustion gas leaks into the coolant circuit can disrupt coolant flow in far flung branches of the system.
Doktor A
A head gasket can be replaced in place but Best Practices and best quality outcome (as well as possible additional damage surprises) really demand that the engine is out of vehicle.Can you change a head gasket in place or does the engine have to be pulled?
Would that be pulling the engine and transmission out as one unit?A head gasket can be replaced in place but Best Practices and best quality outcome (as well as possible additional damage surprises) really demand that the engine is out of vehicle.
It will save time and money in the end.
Doktor A
You can remove the transmission first (and mate to engine before re-install) OR remove them as a unit.Would that be pulling the engine and transmission out as one unit?
I only have 180000 kms on the sprinter. After my 18k trip last summer the low coolant light came on. It has been getting worse in the last 8k kms.You can remove the transmission first (and mate to engine before re-install) OR remove them as a unit.
But do not risk damage to the transmission's oil pump, t. converter seal, etc. by removing just the engine.
Doktor A
Yeah thats why I ran my sealant through the system using the espar after it had been pressurised, to give the sealant a chance of being forced back out the hole. There is a lot of pressure when a cylinder fires, I would guess thats when the air escapes into the coolant, and helps explain why the coolant isn't going back into the cyl so much. All it needs is a tiny pinhole of a crack.I can see how the compression pushes the pressure in, I'm surprised it doesn't bleed off back through the same place. If the sealant can't feed back through the same spot then it wouldn't work.
Still not sure where the antifreeze is going. Out the exhaust ( haven't noticed anything)or out the overflow tube ( nothing dripping or on the ground). I originally thought it was a small leak related to the espar or hoses.
I'm at the same spot that you are. I plan to run it through some heat cycles and see what happens.Yeah thats why I ran my sealant through the system using the espar after it had been pressurised, to give the sealant a chance of being forced back out the hole. There is a lot of pressure when a cylinder fires, I would guess thats when the air escapes into the coolant, and helps explain why the coolant isn't going back into the cyl so much. All it needs is a tiny pinhole of a crack.
My theory about where the coolant is going, is that is it being gradually evaporated out with the escaping combustion air out the overflow breather. Mine also has no traces of coolant around the cap/breather.
I opened the cap on mine yesterday for the first time since putting the K-seal in this time last week. There was still a big burst of pressure released, which I was expecting. The real test now is if it still has pressure the next time I pull the cap. Will give it a few days and report back. I can still hear cavitations in the heater pipes, but it seems to have reduced a lot during the week. Fingers crossed.
That would be great.I have the MB documents for engine removal and install for the 612.981 sprinter engines
If useful to you I can scan and email
Try replacing radiator cap with the proper OEM MB part? The coolant system is pressurized under normal operation, relieved only by the rad cap. A faulty rad cap can cause overpressure. Start with the simple and cheap things first. Worst case scenario, you now have an emergency spare and one possibility crossed off.RON234,
I am having a similar issue with my Van, but with some signifigant differences
I've done that, but it didn't help. Looks like a head gasket job is in the near future. I don't really want to pull the engine and trans out so I may try to tackle the job with engine in the van. Anyone out there done that? If so what info can you share?Try replacing radiator cap with the proper OEM MB part? The coolant system is pressurized under normal operation, relieved only by the rad cap. A faulty rad cap can cause overpressure. Start with the simple and cheap things first. Worst case scenario, you now have an emergency spare and one possibility crossed off.