I've have the level drop every time I drive it. I **think** it may drop a little slower as it goes down. I'm not sure how fare below the min line I should be willing to go.

Last night I filled it to the min line (cold) and it appears to have stayed at that level.

I'll drive 12 miles to work and then check after 3 or 4 hours to see if it holds to to the min line.

I assume that if it's leaking I'll see some coolant in the little lip - is that assumption correct?

 

Every time I fill mine to the line, it vents when hot and lands back down at that same spot. I stopped filling to the degas bottle line, and Stinky stopped spitting it out. So it rides a little lower... it's a reservoir. I say that if the lower level is stable.

 

When it vents hot , do you see coolant around the filler cap neck when you remove the cap - or does it remain clean?



I'm willing to try that. How far below the min line (cold) would still be considered safe?

 

Yes, like in your picture. Maybe I am just seeing a red halo!

 

Ha, yes I think that's what you see. It was clean and dry when I looked. I'll rubberband a paper towel there and check for moisture next time I drive it.

 

I recently flushed my entire coolant system and put in red ELC. In addition, replaced the water pump, upper and lower hoses, thermostat and housing and since then have had to top my coolant off 4 times. I think it is has settled now and I contributed the topping off to the 8.5 gallons of coolant in the system. Think about how much fluid that is and putting in a few ounces here and there while settling is not a big deal.

My level has since settled and I do check it regularly, just like everything else since the truck is not a daily driver.

 

The paper towel stayed bone dry.

It's looking like those who said to be patient and let it settle in for a many as 100 or 200 miles are going to be proven correct. For the first time in about 10-15 trips (~120 miles) the coolant level appears to be stabilizing. I made a 24 mile trip without significant change in the coolant level. Every other time out I had very noticeable drop.

 

If it continues to loose coolant check real close the connections going inlet/outlet of the heater core. I finally detected a small leak at those plastic clips on the core inlet/outlet.

Good luck,

 

Great news! You don't have to do anything, just drive. These 7.3Ls frequently have that kind of ending to a thread.

 

Now that's funny right there.

 

Who are you and what did you do with Rich???????????

 

No need to build one if you live near Oreillys, check out post #4 in my recent thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...appearing.html

 

That's good to know! Nice job.

 

Yes, Tug can be taught.