I have an 03 f350 with 80k on it. A few days ago I noticed some light yellow-brownish fluid dripping from the center of my truck from right behind the belt, I cant see exactly where it is coming from though. I am inclined to think it is some of the motorcraft coolant that is in the truck. It actually dripped out alot of fluid maybe about 1.5 cups from what I collected from below. Since then it hasn't dripped anything, however I was trying to find the cause of it today and noticed that after my truck was running for about 25min at idle, the top radiator hose was hot as expected but the lower hose was cold, so I am thinking I have a prob with the water pump? any ideas
Also the truck has an edge chip on it but is always on the stock (mileage) setting. Also last week I put the Cat back on it after it being off for years, cant think of any reason the extra back pressure would cause a prob, but if anyone has any ideas let me know, thx
ryan

 

What does your EDGE reading say on the Engine Temps after doing the 25min run? MIne would run a constant 182-185. I would thinkwater pump as well if you are getting high temps.

 

Edit -

How much fluid are you losing and has your engine fan come on very often?

Also, the spreadsheet I sent you should have links on changing the water pump.

 

Would the thermostat be suspect?

 

Thermostats are always suspect --- and I normally throw them out regardless of whether they test good or bad when I change coolant.

But then.. I also replace critical rad hoses at 100,000 mile intervals...

I had a bit of a problem with a sticking thermostat in mine last week... watched the temp gauge go real funky (wild gyrations from cold to hot) until it "worked" loose.

That is not unusual after a winter when the thermostat hardly opened or opened just a bit.


Again --- often, before you reach for the wrench... watch it.. log the symptoms.. and just sit and see what it does.


As for the coolant leaks... best thing is to get a UV light, get under it, and start looking.

 

Also check the top radiator hose at the t-stat connection. I had to replace the factory spring clamp with a worm gear clamp.

 

would the t-stat even be open after idling that long?. i had a leak in almost the same spot you described, so i instantly thought the worse case scenario. got the fan shroud off (lots-o-fun) and found the upper radiator hose leaking and the coolant was puddling at the bottom of the radiator and blowing back behind the belt because it was being sucked up by the fan. once you get the shroud off you've got a real good line of sight to everything from the radiator to the front cover.

 

There's that old style EGR cooler hose to consider also, though it usually makes itself known by leaking down the back of the motor. Do you by chance have your truck parked with the nose downhill?

 

wow thanks for all the replies, after sitting for about 25min the edge chip was saying my egt was about 270. Also the total amt of fluid that leaked out was about 1.5cups worth. Since that one day I haven't had a leak, but I also haven't driven it for more then about 20min. I think I will wait and see what happens over the next week or so.

 

Thats what we do 'round here

 

I have a 2005 model. I know the "full" line is the min line on the degas bottle. However, is the full line when the engine is hot or cold? I recently installed a coolant filter and had topped off my coolant when i was done when the engine was cold. I filled it to the min line. Well, i just noticed it was about 1/2" below the min line when the engine was cold (checked in the morning before work). Apparently i leaked a little but i can't tell where, all connections are dry and I can't tell if it had leaked out of the degas bottle cap. When I installed the filter and coolant it was pretty cool outside (about a month ago), in the last week it warmed up to the upper 80s. I assume (hoping) that i just overfilled it and some puked out of the degas bottle, not sure tho. Any suggestions?

 

Hot....minimum line is now the maximum line. Maximum is always checked hot, since the coolant expands.....

 

If overfilled (sounds like thats what I did) would it puke out of the cap?

 

That's why it was changed

 

Yes, if it is overfilled and the system gets hot, then it can be forced out of the cap.