Coolant leak - Source?
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: IA MN SD
So if I replace the upper hose, t-stat, and t-stat housing gasket, there's a good chance that will fix it. I think I'll go that route and see what happens.
I replaced the lower hose already, so I may as well replace the upper one too, and the t-stat while I'm at it since it's cheap enuf.
I replaced the lower hose already, so I may as well replace the upper one too, and the t-stat while I'm at it since it's cheap enuf.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,924
Likes: 3,644
I just replaced my thermostat (didn't need to, but was bored one afternoon). I thought I might need to remove the hard plastic CAC tube, but was able to work around it quite easily. I left the hose clamped to the thermostat housing so I could wiggle it out of position and remove it. The hose worked like a perfect handle. I drained 2 gallons of antifreeze so it would be simple to refill - 1 gal of concentrate and 1 gal of distilled water.
One of these days I will switch to ELC Ultra - just not in any hurry!
Oh, I did put a mark on the hose, right at a thin seam that is molded into the thermostat housing (there was one on both the old and the new housing - in the same place). This enabled me to be sure that the hose was clamped to the housing in the proper position before I snaked it back in position under the CAC tube.
One of these days I will switch to ELC Ultra - just not in any hurry!
Oh, I did put a mark on the hose, right at a thin seam that is molded into the thermostat housing (there was one on both the old and the new housing - in the same place). This enabled me to be sure that the hose was clamped to the housing in the proper position before I snaked it back in position under the CAC tube.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: IA MN SD
I know i just spoke to you about switching to ELC a couple of weeks ago, Mark. Shortly afterwards is when I first noticed the coolant leak. So now I want to know for sure that i have this coolant leak fixed before switching to that Rotella Ultra ELC.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,924
Likes: 3,644
!! I guess I really am eligible for my AARP card soon!!!
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: IA MN SD
Upper hose and t-stat housing o-ring replaced. Still leaking.
The only hose left is the smaller hose running from the water pump to the bottom of the degas bottle. I don't know if I should just replace that hose too, or haul it in for someone to look at.
Is there a weep hole in the water pump that could be causing this?
The only hose left is the smaller hose running from the water pump to the bottom of the degas bottle. I don't know if I should just replace that hose too, or haul it in for someone to look at.
Is there a weep hole in the water pump that could be causing this?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
From: Eagle Mountian, Utah
One of the trucks in our fleet had a mystery leak like this. Turns out it was the radiator behind the fan shroud. Right on the fins it was a awkward spot. And it must have just ruptured because nothing was rubbing.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 18
From: Henderson, NV
I did a flush the other weekend and purchased a new thermostat and housing. When I put it back together and took it for a drive I noticed a coolant leak. Apparently you are supposed to clean the surface that the T-stat housing mates to so the rubber gasket seals correctly..
somehow I overlooked that...lol. I had to take it all apart again and clean the surface, which was rough with crap from the old rubber gasket. Doesn't leak anymore.
somehow I overlooked that...lol. I had to take it all apart again and clean the surface, which was rough with crap from the old rubber gasket. Doesn't leak anymore.
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: IA MN SD
I did a flush the other weekend and purchased a new thermostat and housing. When I put it back together and took it for a drive I noticed a coolant leak. Apparently you are supposed to clean the surface that the T-stat housing mates to so the rubber gasket seals correctly.. somehow I overlooked that...lol. I had to take it all apart again and clean the surface, which was rough with crap from the old rubber gasket. Doesn't leak anymore.
somehow I overlooked that...lol. I had to take it all apart again and clean the surface, which was rough with crap from the old rubber gasket. Doesn't leak anymore.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: IA MN SD
Finally taking the truck into the dealer.
I've replaced everything that I can think of that could possibly be causing the leak, other than the water pump, and the drip rate hasn't changed.
I've replaced everything that I can think of that could possibly be causing the leak, other than the water pump, and the drip rate hasn't changed.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 7
From: Circle City
did you check any of the bolts that hold the water pump ? I know it's a long shot but hey...
You can also opt to pay for the diagnosis and do the repair yourself.
been following this, would like to know what it is too.
You can also opt to pay for the diagnosis and do the repair yourself.
been following this, would like to know what it is too.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: IA MN SD
Can you get at the bolts behind the shield that sits between the fan and the pump, with the fan still on? I'll have to climb under there and take a look.
According to the Workshop manual, this repair doesn't look too difficult. Time and ambition are my main hurdles. My and the kids' ball schedules are pretty ridiculous for the next few weeks.
The dealer quoted me $500 to do the repair, which (as close as I can tell) equates to about $180 for the part and $320 for labor.
According to the Workshop manual, this repair doesn't look too difficult. Time and ambition are my main hurdles. My and the kids' ball schedules are pretty ridiculous for the next few weeks.
The dealer quoted me $500 to do the repair, which (as close as I can tell) equates to about $180 for the part and $320 for labor.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: IA MN SD
Found this little nugget of info. Gonna definitely give this test a try before ordering the part and tearing into it. Thanks m-chan!
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - View Single Post - waterpump
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - View Single Post - waterpump
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: IA MN SD
Coolant flows out of the tube mentioned in m-chan's above linked post at a rate of about a 1/2 qt per minute (just eyeballin it). There isnt much pressure though, as the coolant drops straight down into the can after exiting the tube.
Can someone please compare it to theirs, or tell me if that sounds about rite?
Can someone please compare it to theirs, or tell me if that sounds about rite?
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 971
Likes: 1
From: IA MN SD
I FINALLY got tired of trying to find the leak myself and took it to the pros.
Ford says the front timing cover is leaking, and they get $1,600 to fix it (10hrs r&r).
However, they are covering it under my Diesel EngineCare warranty. Hallelujah!
With any luck, no more coolant drips under the truck!
WOULD IT BE A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE WATER PUMP WHILE THEY ARE IN THAT DEEP?
Ford says the front timing cover is leaking, and they get $1,600 to fix it (10hrs r&r).
However, they are covering it under my Diesel EngineCare warranty. Hallelujah!
With any luck, no more coolant drips under the truck!
WOULD IT BE A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE WATER PUMP WHILE THEY ARE IN THAT DEEP?