Coolant leak
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Northern MN
Coolant leak
My '92 F150 XLT V8 5.0 2wd has a coolant leak... I have to fill it up about once a week (reservoir gets completely empty) and I just noticed on my way home tonight that the heat is going in and out. Like it will blow very warm air then it will start blowing cold air, like the A/C is on. I also notice that when it blows cold, the engine temp gauge is almost all the way over on Hot. Then when it blows warm its back in between C and H.
Not sure what's going on.. I also notice I'm getting about 7 MPG now compared to 12 MPG several weeks ago.
Not sure what's going on.. I also notice I'm getting about 7 MPG now compared to 12 MPG several weeks ago.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 32
From: Aurora,Colorado
After refilling the radiator--and after getting the truck up to normal operating temperature-check the overflow reservoir and see what the level of coolant is in the reservoir tank.If the level is very high in the tank-the trouble may be a defective radiator cap.
This happened to me. The reservoir tank was overflowing onto the ground as the truck was being driven-and causing a low coolant level in the radiator.
This happened to me. The reservoir tank was overflowing onto the ground as the truck was being driven-and causing a low coolant level in the radiator.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Northern MN
Not really sure.. The shop is closed tomorrow but I'll ask about it when they finish it up on Monday. All I know is that the gaskets were leaking and coolant was spraying everywhere.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Northern MN
Picked the truck up from the shop today. I needed new lower intake gaskets, a new thermostat + gasket, the bottom half of the upper plenum ear was gone so that had to be replaced, and the timing was slightly off so that was adjusted. All in all it definitely runs like new again. It was a little bit expensive, however. Anyways I should notice and increase in mileage. When everything began to go wrong I was getting about 7 MPG compared to about 12 MPG several weeks earlier.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Baltimore
Was it steaming excessively out the exhaust when this was going on?
Smelled antifreeze in the cab?
Just wondering...
Smelled antifreeze in the cab?
Just wondering...
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Northern MN
I did notice an excessive amount of white smoke coming out of the exhaust prior to the truck overheating. I did not notice the smell of antifreeze in the cab. I assume you are having some similar problems with your truck?
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
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similar woes
I have smelled antifreeze in the cab of my '91 F-250 (351 eng. at 197k mi). Pulled the heater core and it looks fine, no sign of leaks. I've always had slow coolant loss since buying the truck from the original owner 5 yrs ago. He had installed an RV battery under the hood for a camper, sacrificing the original coolant expansion container for a tiny aftermarket one. I've replaced the thermostat and water pump in the last couple of years. I got in the habit of topping off with straight water, and I have a lot of rust in the system, which I'm hoping a back flush will cure. I get white vapor in the exhaust at cold start, but not after the engine is warm. Any suggestions where the coolant goes?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 32
From: Aurora,Colorado
The white vapor is the coolant burned. The coolant is "going out" the exhaust pipe. I assume that this white vapor occurs when the ambient temperature is warm and isnt normal water vapor because of the cold weather temperatures and a cold exhaust pipe.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Ohio
I know it's a temp fix, but it seems to be holding, so I can wait until warmer weather for a proper repair.
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