DT 466E blowing bubbles in catch can

238mph · 05-24-2012, 03:13 AM

2005, DT 466E that right off, even cold, blow continuous bubbles into the radiator catch can. I have air brakes, and clamped off the coolant lines to eliminate the air compressor.

Changed catch can cap, thermostat... truck does not overheat or even run warm... but in about 300 miles the bubbles foam and push coolant out the cap.

I guess it is either a pinhole in a liner, head gasket, or injector cups...

But what is the best way to be sure before I do a full teardown or a full inframe?

I am tempted to go straight to an inframe, all new liners, pistons, rings, bearings, refreshed head and gasket... truck has 263,000 miles but is in like new condition.

I hate to spend 4k for a head gasket when for 5k I can do an inframe.

Any ideas???

**nevrenufhp** · 05-26-2012, 01:35 AM

You can pull the oil pan,then pressurize the cooling system, and look for where it leaks out.
True, it makes sense to do a full inframe, considering the cost difference of that and a headgasket.

238mph · 05-28-2012, 03:23 PM

I don't have water in the oil... I don't have fuel in the coolant... I'm thinking it might be my air compressor, which is water cooled... it might be pumping air into the coolant with a cracked head or cylinder. I can't get to the hoses to clamp them off... guess I will have to pull it.

Johnp3 · 05-28-2012, 04:50 PM

First off you have to check the radiator cap for preasure, without preasure in the system the water pump which is a centrifical pump will pull in air.
When testing the air compressor to be sure it is not the problem disconnect the out put and drain off the complete air reservoir.
the complete bottle test is documented under helpful links.

238mph · 05-28-2012, 05:11 PM

We put on a new cap and a new thermostat...

Gotta test the air compressor... I want to put in some globe valves on the water lines and release the air tanks... I think the air comp might be pumping air into the coolant lines... cracked head... wishful thinking. I have an air dryer, and yet when I dump air, I get a lot of oil mist from the tanks

Ya know, I don't like problems... but I actually think this stuff is kinda fun!!!

I will look for the test... somewhere here?

05-24-2012, 03:13 AM	#1
238mph Fabricator, Lifted Trucks Join Date: May 2012 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 8 Points: 415 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	DT 466E blowing bubbles in catch can 2005, DT 466E that right off, even cold, blow continuous bubbles into the radiator catch can. I have air brakes, and clamped off the coolant lines to eliminate the air compressor. Changed catch can cap, thermostat... truck does not overheat or even run warm... but in about 300 miles the bubbles foam and push coolant out the cap. I guess it is either a pinhole in a liner, head gasket, or injector cups... But what is the best way to be sure before I do a full teardown or a full inframe? I am tempted to go straight to an inframe, all new liners, pistons, rings, bearings, refreshed head and gasket... truck has 263,000 miles but is in like new condition. I hate to spend 4k for a head gasket when for 5k I can do an inframe. Any ideas???

05-26-2012, 01:35 AM	#2
nevrenufhp Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 3,019 Points: 36,379 Thanks: 223 Thanked 199 Times in 152 Posts	You can pull the oil pan,then pressurize the cooling system, and look for where it leaks out. True, it makes sense to do a full inframe, considering the cost difference of that and a headgasket. __________________ Dale my daily driver:67 F100, 300 4V, 4 spd. work rigs: 94 IH 4900, DT466(originally 230hp), #0 fuel plate, tighter gov springs, 22* timing or, 06 IH 7400, DT466E, 300hp My Low Buck fuel rate site: www.freewebs.com/nevrenufhp

05-28-2012, 04:50 PM	#4
Johnp3 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 2,948 Points: 34,187 Thanks: 45 Thanked 444 Times in 404 Posts	First off you have to check the radiator cap for preasure, without preasure in the system the water pump which is a centrifical pump will pull in air. When testing the air compressor to be sure it is not the problem disconnect the out put and drain off the complete air reservoir. the complete bottle test is documented under helpful links. __________________ 1988 ford van fresh overhaul, 1991 nissan pick-up 1993 Caprice 2000 GMC S10 Blaser 2007 nbs 3500 GMC 4x4 crew-cab long box 17 inch single wheels Duramax Alison. BW turnover Ball. Furakawa FL35 loader. Retired, HD mechanic, worked on engines all my life. Fabricator welder. electrician. in the process of finishing my new shop. Live in Rock Creek B.C. Wife has a fruit stand.

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05-28-2012, 03:23 PM	#3
238mph Fabricator, Lifted Trucks Threadstarter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 8 Points: 415 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I don't have water in the oil... I don't have fuel in the coolant... I'm thinking it might be my air compressor, which is water cooled... it might be pumping air into the coolant with a cracked head or cylinder. I can't get to the hoses to clamp them off... guess I will have to pull it.

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