I noticed that the coolant level is about 1/4" below min. line when running with the cap on.

When I took the cap off (very slowly) as the pressure escaped the fluid level increased. I have a picture and will try to post it.
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - caere's Album: Degas Bottle Pics - Picture
Also I noticed a small nick in the plastic on the degas bottle where it meets the cap. Maybe this small nick is responsible for that very small amount of coolant around bottle. Also the fluid is probably just water it. So maybe the steam is escaping in the nick and condensation is leaving small traces of fluid. (Crosses fingers, no headgaskets)
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - caere's Album: Degas Bottle Pics - Picture
Just wondering why the coolant level changes with or without pressure? Does my dieselsite filter have anything to do with this?

 

Just did mine, I drained 2 gallons into clean antifreeze jugs from the radiator drain spigot and there was no spillage on the job. Poured it back in and now everything works great.

 

So i went and started on changing out the thermostat. I wanted to disconnect the return line to the degas bottle for a bit more room to work getting the spring clamp of the lower rad hose at the thermostat end. Took the clamp off and then wiggled the hose to pull it off. THe whole plastic connector/spigot broke off. Whoopee!

Is there a way to tap this hole or plug it so I can drive it to the dealer to change out rad? I drained 2 gallons of coolant to do the thermostat.
Picture shows broken part on rad and the plastic spigot left in hose.

Please help! I gotta have truck running for an important meeting on Tuesday!
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=53408

 

You might try drilling and plugging the plastic with a pipe plug to fix the hole and leave the cap loose on the degas bottle so no pressure builds up.

 

like the brass plugs on the dieselsite filter?

 

yes, any type of pipe plug

 

thx, i'll go find something tonight!

I suppose the rad need to be replaced now?

 

If you can get a pipe plug to thread in you could probably get a pipe nipple to thread in and reinforce around the base with Devcon or some kind of liquid metal and put the hose back on. On a less expensive engine I might even consider that as a pretty permanent fix but on this engine I dont know. I am sure the experts will have some input.

 

yea I was considering something like that.

 

I was simply trying to get him a "get it to the repair shop" fix. By no means would I suggest any kind of plastic repair of this type as permanent. It's possible a radiator repair shop might even be able to replace the end tank.

 

Replaced thermostat, no change. Still heats fine then gets cool, then goes hot again. Seems to get hot when putting a load on the engine. Cruising at speed or coasting to stop it seems to get cool.

I just replaced the rad. THought I would try it myself. Mchan gave me some simple directions that got me going! THX!

Any thoughts why there's heat then not? Is it the headgaskets again? Maybe electronic?

 

Have you thought about checking your degas bottle for combustion byproduct vapors?

I know NAPA sells kits for this.

 

No, but I'll look into it tomorrow. If it's only done it once will there be traces left in coolant? Should i blow her more then test?

 

I haven't used it - I have just read about it.

I would imagine it would tell you in the instructions, but I would bet that you need to get it hot and pressured up before using it.

I also considered "teeing in" a pressure gauge in the tubing to the degass bottle - just to see how high mine gets. I have had no puking, but I am just the curious type. If your cap is good and you are puking, then you pretty much know you are exceeding the 16 psig.

 

Thats funny I was thinking of some sort of pressure sensor myself lol

The 2nd time my head gaskets were done they tested the cap and the degas bottle and it held to 16. But I thought after the gaskets blowing twice I should get a new cap. The old cap had a bulge to it on the top. So there's a newer cap on now and it doesn't have that same bulge. I wonder if that small nick on the bottle could be enough to let it puke. But if it doesn't puke when idling and warmed up then something must be increasing the pressure to make it blow. Which leads me to the gaskets again.