So ill top off my res tank for my radiator and with in a few weeks its empty, Im not leaking any water on the ground, none around the motor or hoses and my oil is fine, oh and i replace my cap. Any more ideas

 

I had this problem on my car and eventually found some green crust around a hose. It wasn't anything dripping so it took awhile to find. I have found those Ideal hose clamps pretty much suck, I always prefer to stick with the spring clamp that came with the car if they are still good.

 

Alright, Ill put that on my check list

 

Or headgasket...

Josh

 

Yeah but theres no water in my oil

 

You can blow a head gasket and have the coolant go out the exhaust and not contaminate the oil.

Airing up each cylinder and looking for bubbles is one way or pressure testing the coolant and watch for the pressure to bleed off is the way to test it

Josh

 

heater core...I have the issue on my 91 now...radiator tank is also weeping as evident from marks left...also on frame where it drips to before hitting the ground.
Heater core...an easy way..and how I discovered mine is leaking...A, discolored at htr hose inlet.
B, give the firewall insulation pad under the heater a squeeze...ideally should be nice and clean(yellow or white I believe) and no sweet smell or rank smell...on mine I gave it a squeeze...red...as in rust...if your overflow tank is rusty colored at the bottom or more...you can bet the htr core is not doing well...My new one I have...its tubes are tiny tiny...lots smaller then radiator core tubes...
Additionally, with everything off(radio, htr blower, etc) when you fire the truck up especially when its cold you will hear some gurgling type sounds...and will hear that until its warm...depending on amount of plugging...mine...I hear when its at temp on the freeway at times...alos...feel the passenger side carpet or lift up the rubber floor mat.

One good thing...at least on my 91 and I suspect its cousins...the heater core is really easy to replace...



- cs65

 

Hey Dutter , Also look for a corrosion look at the gasket behind the Timing cover. They are also prone to start leaking. Had it a couple of times on the '98s we just retired. Around 280,000miles on them so it was time to replace them in the fleet. And I am pretty sure if your heater core is leaking you will probably have to pull the dashboard off the firewall to get a new one in. But take a good look with a bright flashlight at the timing cover gasket. Just another idea. Good luck.

 

i have had 2 4.0 motors and both have had cracked heads on them. got new better ones now. but have a leak on the ranger with the new head now. just pulled off the intake and looking into it now, let you all know what i find. the leak is in the cylinder when you first start it, then goes away after it warms up.

 

pressurize the radiator

 

Alright so ill check out my head gaskets and heater core, Now i would test the radiator but theres no leaks around there, and iv had a f150 with a 5.0 have the same problem, Now do they make stuff for help my head gasket. Like on my moms Subaru they make this stuff just for there head gaskets and they guy said it helps soften them, Should i try that on my truck

 

To pressurize the system you use a special radiator cap adaptor and put 15 psi or so in the system. Then watch for it either remain steady or the pressure to fall indicating a leak somewhere.

From there, you could pressurize each cylinder and watching for bubbles in the radiator.

Josh

 

when you pressurize the radiator you pressurize the whole cooling system ! the engine , the heater core , the heads , any place that the water goes gets pressure and then you start looking for leaks , pull the plugs and if you hear water coming in then its a gasket or cracked head !

also do what BULLITT390 SAYS !

 

oh deerrr i knew that lol , hahah yeah ill pressure test it tomorrow then