M1028A1ShelterCarrier
Active member
- 225
- 72
- 28
- Location
- Mammoth Lakes Ca.
While climbing from 3000 ft. to 9000 ft. in 100 degree heat in Death Valley, I noticed the sweet smell of coolant and a black cloud behind me (exhaust not usually visible in my truck). I thought I was over heating so I pulled over and my 26qt's of coolant was flooding the road. Under the hood, I noticed that the overflow bottle had exploded and steam was emitting from around the head. I towed it home and filled it with coolant. The truck stared after cranking it for longer than usual and it idles rough and has a louder diesel knock (less power too). Once it heats up, the coolant gets real hot and begins to blow out my homemade overflow bottle as if it exhaust coming out. Mt theory is (Imp not a diesel mech) that the head gasket blew out or? I am hoping that a head gasket swap will fix my problem with out other major damage . What else could I have broken?