All,

I'm probably missing the obvious or not doing enough detective work, but coaching two ball teams and work is leaving me without enough hours in the day.

2005 Excursion with 6.0L - EGR delete and R&R on the oil cooler a little less than 6 months ago. Since about May I've been getting a little puddle of coolant under the truck directly below the degas bottle but not all of the time. Looked around and didn't see anything obvious. Cleaned off the degas bottle so I could make sure it wasn't puking out of the cap (which I replaced at the time). Kept finding puddles, talked to the guy who helped me with the oil cooler and he said the degas bottles can get little cracks or pin holes and will only leak under pressure.. replaced the degas bottle and the hose assembly - still dropping coolant and even more frequent now. Only thing I didn't replace was the hose to the degas bottle that goes over top the motor to the heater core (think that's where it goes?). The amount of coolant seems to be getting greater.. I used to just have to top it off every week or so.. Got a little lazy/busy and didn't pay attention to my levels and it took almost a gallon yesterday. Any thoughts?

Thanks guys!

Jarhead

 

Straining my brain trying to think where it could be coming from, recently had some coolant system troubleshooting but it turned out to be my radiator leaking.

I recommend looking at https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nts-degas.html (if you haven't already). That's where I started in tracking down my leak.

 

I found my EGR cooler failing cause my degas bottle to crack... Have you removed yours to check it thoroughly?

 

Thanks Billbot - I'll have to take a closer read at that thread

Replaced the degas bottle and hoses about 6 weeks ago. Only hose I didn't touch was the long one that goes across the engine bay along the firewall to the heater core.

I popped the hood after I drove into work. I've been concerned I had a stretched head bolt or something, but the leak is coming from above. Actually looks like it drips onto the FICM. Maybe it is as simple as the only hose I haven't replaced....

 

The hose from the degas bottle can rub the corner of the FICM and wear through. I got to replace mine earlier this year because I ignored a warning from Mike Chan to protect it with a layer of convolute tubing.

 

Finally was able to keep at it tonight.. You're spot on. Hose from the degas bottle rubbing against the FICM.

Did a quick look, but where exactly does that hose go on the passenger side of the engine bay? Is it a simple swap with a new hose or is it more complex than it seems?

Thanks!

 

Goes to the intake. Just replace...

 

WRONG!!! The hose that rubs through on the corner of the FICM is actually the heater core return hose. The OP is correct in that it attaches to the firewall by two nuts and to the heater core on the passenger side of the engine compartment. Replacement, although possible is very tight for space.

 

I'll take a closer look this weekend on access. Hearing how tight it is I think I'll see what I can do to repair it.

Any thoughts on how to patch it or seal it?

Thanks!

 

The only thing you could do is cut and splice the hose. It's not that bad to get off.

 

Ford dealer will have a new hose for me this afternoon. Hoping to have some time this weekend to replace it!

 

Cool. Be sure it has some wear protection on the exposed corner. I don't remember if the new one does or if it's a bit longer, but it's cheap insurance.

 

Gotcha. I was thinking the small one on top.

Thanks!