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D4-7U Left side radiator water leak only when the pony motor was running

D4-7U Left side radiator water leak only when the pony motor was running

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talley925
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Hey Folks,

Yesterday, before starting road work I topped off the water on the D4-7U CAT prior to starting work. I had parked about 30 minutes for a break at a decline with the front lower than the rear on a hill that was fairly steep approx 20/30% grade. After my break, I started the pony motor to get back to work and then noticed water running out from the front left side right below the radiator a fairly good amount of water. I rushed to start the diesel engine thinking I would need to get it parked right away but as soon as I shut down the pony motor the water stopped leaking. I opened the cap on the radiator once on level ground and it still had a good amount mostly considered full of water and I could see the water was pumping strong and no leaks while diesel engine was running. I decided to go on about my business for another hour and no leaks. After that, I parked it to let it cool down then checked the water level again and it was just a bit lower than when I filled it earlier. Could it be that the angle that caused this leak through an overflow tube and after inspecting it I couldn't find where it would be located? I have not attempted to start the pony motor again to see if it starts to leak again. Thoughts??
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Mon, Jun 17, 2019 10:17 PM
Old Magnet
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Seems you may have pony compression pressure leaking into the cooling system and displacing the water. Check pony head torque first.
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Mon, Jun 17, 2019 10:25 PM
talley925
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Reply to Old Magnet:
Seems you may have pony compression pressure leaking into the cooling system and displacing the water. Check pony head torque first.
The leak was coming from the left side up by the radiator. The pony engine seems to be running great. Is there a drain valve for the pony motor anywhere? I really hope it's not a compression leak.
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Mon, Jun 17, 2019 10:40 PM
Old Magnet
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Reply to talley925:
The leak was coming from the left side up by the radiator. The pony engine seems to be running great. Is there a drain valve for the pony motor anywhere? I really hope it's not a compression leak.
Radiator overflow/pressure relief line is on the LH side of the radiator (viewed from seat).
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Mon, Jun 17, 2019 10:56 PM
talley925
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Reply to Old Magnet:
Radiator overflow/pressure relief line is on the LH side of the radiator (viewed from seat).
Thank you Old Mag! I will inspect things a bit better the next time I start it to see if I can figure it out. Is there an easy way to see if I have a compression leak and would there be any other symptoms while running the pony motor? Just seems odd that when the diesel motor is running and doing work for another hour there was no leaking. I would assume they are all connected unless there is a check valve or something between the two.
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Mon, Jun 17, 2019 11:42 PM
Old Magnet
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Reply to talley925:
Thank you Old Mag! I will inspect things a bit better the next time I start it to see if I can figure it out. Is there an easy way to see if I have a compression leak and would there be any other symptoms while running the pony motor? Just seems odd that when the diesel motor is running and doing work for another hour there was no leaking. I would assume they are all connected unless there is a check valve or something between the two.
Yes the pony and main are connected but pony compression when running is maybe 60 to 80+ psi vs approximately 5 psi cooling system pressure.
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Mon, Jun 17, 2019 11:58 PM
ccjersey
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Before you start it next time, check your pony cylinders for coolant seepage.

Pony head gaskets aren't expensive, about $10 last time I bought some from aftermarket vendors, and can sometimes be reused, though I don't think I would attempt it with one that was leaking without a spray coat of gasket sealer or similar product. You don't want to let moisture sit in the cylinder long term because of rust in the bore.
D2-5J's, D6-9U's, D318 and D333 power units, 12E-99E grader, 922B & 944A wheel loaders, D330C generator set, DW20 water tanker and a bunch of Jersey cows to take care of in my spare time😄
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Tue, Jun 18, 2019 1:06 AM
edb
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Reply to ccjersey:
Before you start it next time, check your pony cylinders for coolant seepage.

Pony head gaskets aren't expensive, about $10 last time I bought some from aftermarket vendors, and can sometimes be reused, though I don't think I would attempt it with one that was leaking without a spray coat of gasket sealer or similar product. You don't want to let moisture sit in the cylinder long term because of rust in the bore.
Hi Team,
as others have said the radiator relief drain is at the left of the radiator.
By parking with the nose so far down I would suspect that air from the radiator top tank has found its way rearwards and into the pony motor top cover coolant passages.
There should be an air bleed valve on the top of the Pony top cover--accessible from the left side in behind the pony fuel tap/filter bowl--see scan below.
To check for coolant in the pony cylinders simply open the pony cylinder head drain/compression relief valves and crank the pony over--check for evidence of coolant on the diesel flywheel housing below the valves.
Hope it is as simple as this.
Cheers,
Eddie B.
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Tue, Jun 18, 2019 9:00 AM
talley925
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Reply to edb:
Hi Team,
as others have said the radiator relief drain is at the left of the radiator.
By parking with the nose so far down I would suspect that air from the radiator top tank has found its way rearwards and into the pony motor top cover coolant passages.
There should be an air bleed valve on the top of the Pony top cover--accessible from the left side in behind the pony fuel tap/filter bowl--see scan below.
To check for coolant in the pony cylinders simply open the pony cylinder head drain/compression relief valves and crank the pony over--check for evidence of coolant on the diesel flywheel housing below the valves.
Hope it is as simple as this.
Cheers,
Eddie B.
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Thanks for all the tips.
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Thu, Jun 20, 2019 8:55 PM
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