Loosing Coolant! - Please help!
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Loosing Coolant! - Please help!
I know there has been a couple of threads about this, but I have not found anyone who has posted the solution.
Here is my story:
I bought an 08 F350 CC Diesel in April with 35000 miles on it. When I changed the oil at 40,000 miles, I noticed coolant was low. I have not seen any evidence nor smelled anything, so I added to bring it up to the middle of the marks. Then I marked the level with a magic marker. Sure enough, the level would drop about 1/16" every week or so.
I brought it to the dealer, they pressure tested it and said there is no leak.
The day after I got it back from the dealer, I noticed antifreeze on the garage floor - radiator started leaking.
Brought it back in and they replaced the radiator (not under warantee) $950.
So now I have a brand new radiator, but I am still losing the same amount of coolant as before - no smell, no antifreeze on the floor.
Does anyone have any idea where I should look next?? The truck runs fine and does not produce any white smoke.
Thanks in advance as I am stumped!
Here is my story:
I bought an 08 F350 CC Diesel in April with 35000 miles on it. When I changed the oil at 40,000 miles, I noticed coolant was low. I have not seen any evidence nor smelled anything, so I added to bring it up to the middle of the marks. Then I marked the level with a magic marker. Sure enough, the level would drop about 1/16" every week or so.
I brought it to the dealer, they pressure tested it and said there is no leak.
The day after I got it back from the dealer, I noticed antifreeze on the garage floor - radiator started leaking.
Brought it back in and they replaced the radiator (not under warantee) $950.
So now I have a brand new radiator, but I am still losing the same amount of coolant as before - no smell, no antifreeze on the floor.
Does anyone have any idea where I should look next?? The truck runs fine and does not produce any white smoke.
Thanks in advance as I am stumped!
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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I to had to replace rad., and had to add a little fluid after, as there is air in your system that has not made it out yet. Keep an eye on your level after topping off. There are others on this forum that were able to get new rads under tsb 9-23-1, that refers to t-stats that do not work correctly. I found out about it to late and had to pay though the nose to,but not next time! I'm sure that they will chime in and let us know how it worked for them.
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I to had to replace rad., and had to add a little fluid after, as there is air in your system that has not made it out yet. Keep an eye on your level after topping off. There are others on this forum that were able to get new rads under tsb 9-23-1, that refers to t-stats that do not work correctly. I found out about it to late and had to pay though the nose to,but not next time! I'm sure that they will chime in and let us know how it worked for them.
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From: Frederick, MD
You maybe eating it thru the EGR coolers. Any moisture out the pipes or smoking at all?
An oil analysis is a good idea.
If it has been over a month and you have run it good and hard then all air should be out of the system by now.
An oil analysis is a good idea.
If it has been over a month and you have run it good and hard then all air should be out of the system by now.
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No moisture out of the pipe, no smoking. It is running just fine. It has been about 15000 miles like this - does not seem to be getting any worse or better.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
mine looses a little every once in a while...I figure it is because of the high temps in the engine bay.
My oil analysis back that up.
FYI though..even my Buick, which is a 2008 will puke every once in awhile. I have had to add coolant to that a time or two as well.
My oil analysis back that up.
FYI though..even my Buick, which is a 2008 will puke every once in awhile. I have had to add coolant to that a time or two as well.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 311
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From: Clearwater
Check upper and lower radiator hoses for coolant residue and keep a real close eye on oil level of dipstick. Seen several covers cavitated allowing coolant into drain pan. Ford engineering still looking into root cause.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Edmond, OK
The original EGR valve had a coolant line routed to it; mine is such. I have read posts that speculate that the early EGR valves can be the cause of slow coolant loss.
I have slow coolant loss; I can go weeks with no drop then maybe it will drop a 1/16"; it dropped about 2" over 50,000 miles. Ford dealership pressure checked it, etc. but found no problem. I suspect my EGR. I do oil analysis every change; no reports of coolant in oil; but I do have fuel dilution sometimes.
Bob
I have slow coolant loss; I can go weeks with no drop then maybe it will drop a 1/16"; it dropped about 2" over 50,000 miles. Ford dealership pressure checked it, etc. but found no problem. I suspect my EGR. I do oil analysis every change; no reports of coolant in oil; but I do have fuel dilution sometimes.
Bob
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The original EGR valve had a coolant line routed to it; mine is such. I have read posts that speculate that the early EGR valves can be the cause of slow coolant loss.
I have slow coolant loss; I can go weeks with no drop then maybe it will drop a 1/16"; it dropped about 2" over 50,000 miles. Ford dealership pressure checked it, etc. but found no problem. I suspect my EGR. I do oil analysis every change; no reports of coolant in oil; but I do have fuel dilution sometimes.
Bob
I have slow coolant loss; I can go weeks with no drop then maybe it will drop a 1/16"; it dropped about 2" over 50,000 miles. Ford dealership pressure checked it, etc. but found no problem. I suspect my EGR. I do oil analysis every change; no reports of coolant in oil; but I do have fuel dilution sometimes.
Bob
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From: Isanti, MN
I vote for the EGR valve as well.
My '08 had this condition from the day I brought it home. I even took it into the dealer to have them add coolant several times. Had them check into it, but they never found a leak.
I'd keep monitoring it and run an oil analysis to make sure it's not getting into your oil(VERY rare!) and not worry about it.
My '08 had this condition from the day I brought it home. I even took it into the dealer to have them add coolant several times. Had them check into it, but they never found a leak.
I'd keep monitoring it and run an oil analysis to make sure it's not getting into your oil(VERY rare!) and not worry about it.
FORD USER
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: EARSTERN SHORE OF MD.
Thanks for the reply - I too found out about the Thermostat TSB after I already paid for the new radiator. Its been over a month so I would assume all of the air is out now. There is no evidence of externall leaking anywhere. I am having an oil analysis done to see if there is coolant in the oil.
FORD USER
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From: EARSTERN SHORE OF MD.
I have heard that comes from cavatation! Cab off repair.