[C320-list] Coolant mixing with raw water

[Scott Thompson]

The coolant expands when hot and is pumped through the system. So 
coolant could still be leaking out of a cracked tube even if the coolant 
level was below the exchanger when the coolant was cold and the engine 
not running. With the engine hot and running you would only stop losing 
coolant through a defective exchanger once the coolant level was so low 
that none was reaching the tubes, and even then you might lose some in 
the form of steam injected into the raw water side.

On 6/27/2019 10:21 AM, Dave Hupe wrote:

>   The more I hear about your dilemma, it sounds most like the tank is the problem.  If the exchanger tube were cracked, I don't see coolant getting into the tube once the coolant level  in the tank dropped below the tube bottom.  I would think you still would see (although hard to see) some coolant in the low portion of the tank.  However, you are saying you've repeatedly filled the tank and found it dry. My concern is that coolant (when the engine is not running and you've refilled the tank) is slowly collecting in the exhaust ports (this is where the tank connects to the engine) and gravity draining back into the engine and/or the exhaust elbow.
> Dave Hupe
> 1994 Cat320 (#32) "Mayan Sun"
> Holland, MI
>     
>    

-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653