Could being inside make that much difference ?

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Could being inside make that much difference ?

January 31, 2011, 01:36:01 pm

Hi All,
My hand is up, I have a question

Our 1991 U280 sat in our driveway for 2 years and would leak radiator fluid when it got COLD outside. From what I understand, the 3208T suffers something called cold leaks or something like that. Well, having the new barn for our baby this year, I've not seen ANY leaks at all on the cardboard I keep under it. Could it be that being inside makes that much difference? We've had
-20 here in Northern Michigan this year, but even when it wasn't that cold....it still leaked in the driveway but not since being in the barn. Hmmm?

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #1 – January 31, 2011, 02:17:57 pm

Quote from: Carl Sandel – January 31, 2011, 01:36:01 pm

... leak radiator fluid when it got COLD outside. ...

I can't give a good answer regarding the temperature difference from outside to inside the barn. However, I have seen cars that exhibit the same problem. I have seen a Volvo and a BMW leak coolant when parked in cool weather. (This was in Houston, TX, where it seldom gets cold by the standards of Michigan.) I found that snugging up a few clamps while the engine was at its coldest temperature would stop the "cold leaks."

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #2 – January 31, 2011, 02:45:55 pm

It has very little to do with the engine. Basic physics-- cold contracts. So metal parts shrink. Rubber becomes less pliable in cold temps.

Therefore, leaks happen at lower temperatures.

In may cases, replacing hose clamps with constant torque hose clamps will remedy the issue.

And, no, indoors vs outdoors makes no difference-- at least to this issue.

Brett

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #3 – January 31, 2011, 02:51:16 pm

I just thought it was interesting. The barn in not heated. When parked late in the summer the fluid was full. I haven't messed with anything as far as tightening goes...... Odd.

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #4 – January 31, 2011, 03:23:16 pm

Wolfe 10 answered your question, over the years I have had numerous diesels that would leak when engines were cold only to dry up when warmed up. Called cold water leaks. I've seen them do it from anywhere coolant travels, hose clamps to heads. We would typicaly fix the easy fixes but if under a head and it was only when cold, let warm repair it.Is a bit odd that she quit when moving to an unheated building but if I were you I would take it.

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #5 – January 31, 2011, 03:42:14 pm

Its potty trained.

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #6 – January 31, 2011, 03:47:04 pm

Quote from: Dave Head – January 31, 2011, 03:42:14 pm

Its potty trained.

Hmmmm...I just knew these things were not inanimate objects...Forrest (the '97 U270) keeps telling me this all the time...

Am I hearing things?

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #7 – January 31, 2011, 04:05:24 pm

Brett, I WILL take it and Dave.... That's a good thing

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #8 – January 31, 2011, 06:23:17 pm

Well, there is one thing to consider....I've been keeping close watch this winter on the difference between inside my unheated shop and outside temperatures. (Trying to get an idea on cold weather performance of the Foretravel furnace keeping the water lines from freezing, etc.) Despite a lot of below zero weather, it has never gotten below 20 degrees above inside. My suspicion is the concrete floor and ground underneath retains a fair amount of heat that it slowly releases. Maybe you're experiencing the same thing.

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #9 – February 01, 2011, 06:10:35 am

Quote from: Gayland Baasch – January 31, 2011, 06:23:17 pm

Well, there is one thing to consider....I've been keeping close watch this winter on the difference between inside my unheated shop and outside temperatures. (Trying to get an idea on cold weather performance of the Foretravel furnace keeping the water lines from freezing, etc.) Despite a lot of below zero weather, it has never gotten below 20 degrees above inside. My suspicion is the concrete floor and ground underneath retains a fair amount of heat that it slowly releases. Maybe you're experiencing the same thing.

You are right. The concrete, if it is deep enough acts as a heat sink during summer months. In the winter we do mot stay cold enough to need more than a couple oil filled portable radiators to keep the big garage at about 55degrees.

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Could being inside make that much difference ?

January 31, 2011, 01:36:01 pm

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #1 – January 31, 2011, 02:17:57 pm

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #2 – January 31, 2011, 02:45:55 pm

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #3 – January 31, 2011, 02:51:16 pm

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #4 – January 31, 2011, 03:23:16 pm

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #5 – January 31, 2011, 03:42:14 pm

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #6 – January 31, 2011, 03:47:04 pm

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #7 – January 31, 2011, 04:05:24 pm

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #8 – January 31, 2011, 06:23:17 pm

Re: Could being inside make that much difference ?

Reply #9 – February 01, 2011, 06:10:35 am

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