I Broke My Truck!

[majek5]

I put an Adrenaline on my truck and when I was EVENLY tightening down the bolts on the reservoir when I heard a POP! Not knowing at the time what happened, I completed the install and started it up. LEAKING!!!:doh: Took it apart to find a hairline crack in the bottom of the reservoir. When to the dealership to find out how much....$500 for the assembly and $1930 to put it on. They say the motor needs to be pulled. Is this right? My real question, can it be welded? Any help is appreciated. I went to school with a guy who has a welding shop, so he has the right tool for the job. Has this happened to anyone else, or just lucky ol me. :shrug:



BTW Thanks Cody for the direction where to look for the leak. Unfortunately you were right!

[hayjayhorses]

I hate it when that happens. How did you do that? I have pulled and installed many HPOP I can't think of how you could break the case.

For $500 you should be able to buy a complete parts engine.

[907DAVE]

Ahhh, must have used the gasket with the filter in it.

[hayjayhorses]

i have never seen the gasket with a filter for a 7.3 HPOP, I have seen aftermarket filter/screen for the 6.0 HPOP

[cleatus12r]

That's what I feared when you called me.......:matt-roloff:

[ChuckD]

No the engine does not need to be removed to change the res. They are trying to milk you.

[907DAVE]

I dont think the reservoir is his issue. It probably broke the timing cover, which requires the engine to be pulled to replace. It might appear that you can slip it out of there but the oil pickup tube is bolted to the bottom of it, which means the pan needs to come off.

As far as it being welded, it is not likely. I personally dont do any aluminum stuff, but I have a buddy who is real good at it. According to him it can be a real bear to weld any aluminum that is in contact with oil. He says the aluminum is porous enough to "soak up" the oil and it starts to come out when you weld it, ruining the weld. You can use some special cleaners (acid) to help draw it out, but this can be very time consuming and still will not guarantee that the welds will come out.

If I was to do it I would just buy a new cover, $500 sounds very steep though. You might call up Swamps Diesel, they quoted me for one a while back and I dont think it was anywhere near that much. Or find someone who can get you a discount, you might even talk to your local shop to see what they can do for you.

Good Luck

[majek5]

Update!!! The welding worked!:happy-dancing: No leaks and good as new...er as good as before I broke it.

[907DAVE]

Awesome!

Did you have it welded on the truck?

[cleatus12r]

Great news and thank you for the update!!

[majek5]

Awesome!

Did you have it welded on the truck?

Yes, I took the belt, alternator, ac compressor rad hose and anything else that would be in the way off for clearance. He put a nice bead on it. Cost me a bottle of Belvedere and a case of Lite. Gotta love that!

[Jackpine]

That's fantastic! I love it when something can actually be repaired and not just replaced! It's probably better now than it was when it was new.

- Jack

[97-Stroker]

So to keep this from happening to me here soon lol what are the specs for those bolts? I dont wanna under tighten them but then i dont want that happening. Witch bolt did your tighten down to much?

I thought this would be a pretty easy install but now your got me nervous lol

Thanks

[907DAVE]

The issue is not the bolts, it is from using the wrong reservoir gasket.

[majek5]

It is an easy install. I just goofed up. I put the gasket with the filter where the filter-less gasket goes. The torque is 18 ft/lb on the bolts.

[97-Stroker]

ahhh i see what you did. ya man that sucks but good thing a weld fixed it. Im going out today to be putting one in a customers truck. Have done it twice now but whenever i hear hore stories about stuff it makes me wonder what im going to run into. lol.

It funny that diesel site says 18flbs but in my auto program it says 23flbs