My '97 F250 5.4L is pumping coolant on to the top of the motor which is burning off causing it to smoke like it's overheated but the temp gauge is operating in normal range. I'm losing coolant but can't see where. It's not going to the ground. It just pools up on the top of the motor. I've already replaced the water pump in the last 2 weeks because of the same issue. It stopped for a few days but now it's back again. Bad water pump from O'Reily's or is there some other issue here? I've checked while the motor's running and can't see where the coolant is coming from and there's no coolant coming out of the bleed hole in the top of the new water pump. I need this truck up and running. Anyone have any ideas??? Please help!!!

 

You need to do a pressure test on the cooling system to find out
exactly where the leak is.
Usually the leak will be visible right away when the system is pressurized. Sometimes you may need a mirror or inspection camera to find it.
Good luck,keep us posted and welcome to the forum

 

Check the water tube (if you can see it) that runs under the intake manifold to the back of the motor.

 

As pdqford already mentioned, check for the heater hose (water tube) that runs through the valley of the engine (under the intake manifold). You will likely see some "pooled" coolant back in that area.

The hose/connections are likely leaking. Not an easy hose to get at.

 

there is an aluminum cross ove tube, which runs under the alternator and connects the left and right side water jackets on the intake manifold... look for a leak at the horizontal gasket where the tube bolts to the manifold.

 

I found the leak. It's coming out of the intake gasket on the front passengers side of the motor. Does this mean I need to get a whole gasket kit and rip apart the whole top of the motor to redo the intake gaskets? Not looking forward to this since I don't have a garage and it's freezing outside........

 

Also, does anyone know if there's a video or something that will guide me through taking apart the top of the motor to replace the intake gaskets? I'm more of a older car mechanic so these newer vehicles are hard for me to work on. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

The intake manifoldl is plastic. The cross over tube bolted to the bottom of the intake is made of aluminum. It does not have gaskets, it has an 0-ring groove in the plastic. If the manifold gets overheated, or possibly just due to old age, the o-ring grove craps out and the o-ring will blow out and cause the leak. You will need a new manifold, or fill the groove with epoxy, smooth it flat and seal with a gasket. Dont worry about being an "old time mechanic".. im in the same boat. Its not much different than pulling a manifold off a 1970 351V8... jut a few more small parts like the injection fuel rails, etc... While your in there, its a good time to look at the spark plugs.

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