Strange coolant problem

[Malaki86]

I'm in a company truck, but there's a problem with this truck that just baffles everyone in my shop.

I can run this truck for weeks, even months, without ever needing to add coolant to the truck. When I shut down, whether for the night for for the weekend, the coolant level stays fine UNLESS the outside temperature is really low (below 10f or so).

When it's shut down when it's really cold out, the truck loses 1 to 2 gallons of coolant. The reservoir is always empty. Looking under the truck, you see no coolant. There's no coolant in the oil and the truck starts & runs perfectly immediately after starting. Also, it usually starts in 1-2 full revolutions of cranking when it's extremely cold. Watching the exhaust, there doesn't seem to be an excess of white smoke/steam.

The engine is a Detroit DD12 in a 2005 Columbia.

Any clues what to have the shop check?

[COLT]

You say your down 1-2 gal. a day.

What if you leave it alone and don't top it off to see how much you need to add after a couple days.

My guess is you won't be down 6 gal. or any where near that after 3 days.

[Jumbo]

It is obvious that someone is stealing your coolant 2 gallons at a time. Are you checking the level every day? It seems odd that you arent losing it slowly but all of a sudden the tank is empty. Weird.

[Malaki86]

Told you the wrong engine - it's a Series 60...

The most I've seen it drop is the 2 gallons. As for stealing it, they'd have to be REALLY hard up, considering you not only have to have a wrench to drain it, but also have to climb under the truck in a gravel lot. Also, this seems to be the only truck in our fleet that it happens to. If I was going to steal used coolant from an old truck, I'd sure as hell go across the street to our concrete lot so you wouldn't get as covered in crap while doing it.

Like I said, it ONLY drops when the temp is less than 10f or so and the truck is shut down, and has been shut down for at least 24hrs. I check the fluids at a minimum of 1x per day. I can, like I said, go weeks worth of running where I don't need to add fluid. Also, if the temp has been in the 20 and up for the weekend while I'm off, the fluid level is perfectly fine.

[Fredog]

Told you the wrong engine - it's a Series 60...

The most I've seen it drop is the 2 gallons. As for stealing it, they'd have to be REALLY hard up, considering you not only have to have a wrench to drain it, but also have to climb under the truck in a gravel lot. Also, this seems to be the only truck in our fleet that it happens to. If I was going to steal used coolant from an old truck, I'd sure as hell go across the street to our concrete lot so you wouldn't get as covered in crap while doing it.

Like I said, it ONLY drops when the temp is less than 10f or so and the truck is shut down, and has been shut down for at least 24hrs. I check the fluids at a minimum of 1x per day. I can, like I said, go weeks worth of running where I don't need to add fluid. Also, if the temp has been in the 20 and up for the weekend while I'm off, the fluid level is perfectly fine.

.

well, based onthe temperatures when it happens, the identity of the thief is pretty obvious, it's Frosty the Snowman

[Malaki86]

Or Jack Frost - both of those idiots like the cold.

[Roadhog]

Part of the new Climate Bill Tax?

[allan5oh]

Try tightening some of the hose clamps, especially going to and from the rad. Look for any signs of leakage. Have oil checked for signs of coolant. Look in fuel tanks for signs of coolant.

[heavyhaulerss]

This may have something to do with the expansion & contraction of things in connection with weather changes. I notice mine has at times, has very small leaks, only when it's real cold out too. usually a couple clamps needs tightening, but see no leak when temp is warmer, though mine may leak just a couple ounce's or so, depending on how many hose's , clamps e.t.c . are loose.

[heavyhaulerss]

I bet it is a water pump cold leak. at one time years ago, mine would leak a lot. only at night. only in cold weather, only from water pump. just remembered this. my water pump on my det, had a plastic back with a large -o- ring sealing it. not sure what exactly what on pump was causing the leak, but the same syptoms as yours. months of warm weather & no leaks. 1 night of cold temps & down a gallon or 2. WATER PUMP!. though I will say the pump itself worked o.k. it just leaked.

[Malaki86]

Ok - thanks for the info. I'll pass it on to the shop to see what they say.

[Copperhead]

Yep, sounds like a good 'ol fashioned cold leak. Hoses will become brittle and adapt less to temp changes and clamps do vibrate loose. Check the connection of the lower radiator hose to the block. Bet you will find the culprit right there. Worse case would be the water pump doing a cold leak, like already mentioned, due to seal hardening. I have had both issues in the past.