SQL Expression: Locate function works for some not for all

[morechocolate]

Using Crystal 8.5 Any idea why

using the statement {fn LOCATE(PHIST."LOAN", p.loan_name)}

and given

phist.loan = 111111
p.loan_name = property name 111111

would return 15

but

phist.loan = 222222
p.loan_name = property name 222222 (other text)

would return 0 - the loan is within the loan_name

I cannot figure this out to save my life