Radiator Leak
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Radiator Leak
My first radiator failure.
What the heck am I doing to these dang things. I traded my '08 with its fifth radiator installed and now my '11 has done the same thing.
Same exact issue, seepage at the bottom corner, driver side this time. Holds coolant all day when engine is running and hot. Overnight when it cools, things loosen up and coolant drips out. I had a wet spot in the parking lot about 6". Net enough to puddle, just wet pavement. I have been smelling coolant for a few weeks waiting to see what was going on.
I have 66,300 miles on the truck. As most of you know, I have a trailer in tow almost 85% of the time (actual stat backed by the nice info screen that stores trailer miles). I should crunch the numbers again, could be 90%.
Either way, this should not be happening with the way they have split the cooling system in an effort to keep things in check.
I hope all of you keep an eye on your rads. Might get lucky and just have a random issue here, but I don't think so. Very common problem since '08.
What the heck am I doing to these dang things. I traded my '08 with its fifth radiator installed and now my '11 has done the same thing.
Same exact issue, seepage at the bottom corner, driver side this time. Holds coolant all day when engine is running and hot. Overnight when it cools, things loosen up and coolant drips out. I had a wet spot in the parking lot about 6". Net enough to puddle, just wet pavement. I have been smelling coolant for a few weeks waiting to see what was going on.
I have 66,300 miles on the truck. As most of you know, I have a trailer in tow almost 85% of the time (actual stat backed by the nice info screen that stores trailer miles). I should crunch the numbers again, could be 90%.
Either way, this should not be happening with the way they have split the cooling system in an effort to keep things in check.
I hope all of you keep an eye on your rads. Might get lucky and just have a random issue here, but I don't think so. Very common problem since '08.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 350
Likes: 1
From: central MN
I had the same thing at the exact same spot. Luckily I was still under warranty. I personally think these things should last longer than the truck, with proper maintenance.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 87
From: So Cal
pretty common deal on the 6.4's to puke the radiator, usually right after the 36K mile warentee expires.
I know some people who have gone through more radiators on 6.4's then turbos on the 6.0's.
Its pretty amazing that Ford can't step up and put a decent radiator in a $60K truck.
I WILL be watching mine like a hawk.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
don't see many 08-10's do you ???
pretty common deal on the 6.4's to puke the radiator, usually right after the 36K mile warentee expires.
I know some people who have gone through more radiators on 6.4's then turbos on the 6.0's.
Its pretty amazing that Ford can't step up and put a decent radiator in a $60K truck.
I WILL be watching mine like a hawk.
pretty common deal on the 6.4's to puke the radiator, usually right after the 36K mile warentee expires.
I know some people who have gone through more radiators on 6.4's then turbos on the 6.0's.
Its pretty amazing that Ford can't step up and put a decent radiator in a $60K truck.
I WILL be watching mine like a hawk.
Looking briefly at the pic of the radiator above it looks to be of a similar design and materials.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 87
From: So Cal
At any rate, how come there are radiators that are 20 years old with hundreds of thousands of miles on them and Ford can't seem to make one last 100,000 miles ???
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
The tsb with the hyperextended thermostats is history... The new tsb that I'm talking about (11-6-6) states if a hose is leaking along with radiator, replace radiator with either upper, lower or both hoses under warranty till 100k. Just beware if you have a 6.4, don't want anybody paying for this when ford will cover you!!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 87
From: So Cal
The tsb with the hyperextended thermostats is history... The new tsb that I'm talking about (11-6-6) states if a hose is leaking along with radiator, replace radiator with either upper, lower or both hoses under warranty till 100k. Just beware if you have a 6.4, don't want anybody paying for this when ford will cover you!!
I really liked my 6.4, but it never felt much stronger than my 6.0, and was much much worse on mileage.
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