Coolant Leak
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
Coolant Leak
Hey guys. The other day I was doing my usual monthly inspection of the truck. Since about turning over 200,000 miles the truck has been going through about a quart of oil every 5,000 miles and it has been increasing. That is fine; I have about 235,000 on the truck now and I suppose that is to be expected. What I did notice this last time though is that my coolant reservoir was very low. This has never been a problem before, in fact, the coolant is still nice and green despite not having been changed in 80,000 miles. So I was just playing around with it, trying to figure out where the problem is and noticed some coolant leaking down the backside of the engine when I looked up from underneath the truck. I can't locate the leak so I was hoping one of you guys could point me in the right direction. I am just happy my head gasket isn't blown, that was my biggest fear, and I really hope I am right about that. The truck is a 2000 F150, 5.4L, 235,000 miles, 4x4, automatic... Thanks guys!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
I use a telescopic inspection mirror and a good beam flashlight lean over the radiator and look right past coil 4 where the intake meets the head for intake gasket leak and then coil 8, then using the mirror look at the pump tube and the heater hoses, also look in the valley
Is the leak on driver or passenger?
Is the leak on driver or passenger?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
Hard to tell as I can only see the fluid coming down from underneath where it looks like its all over... I will have to try again to see if I can determine which side it starts on before it spreads.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 2
From: Newport, N.C.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
look in the VEE of the motor behind the alternator. See if you are full of antifreeze there. You can have a crossover tube gasket leaking in the front, and it will fill the VEE and run out the back onto the transmission case.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
steve(ill), it looks like that might be the case... It appears that the leak is getting worse and it looks like it sprayed the passenger side, upper part of the motor (transmission dipstick, oil filler, ect...). Waiting for it to cool down so I can add some more water and start her up again to see where the leak is originating. Thanks for your help guys.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
steve(ill), looks like you nailed it. The leak is right below what I believe is the heater hose coming into the top of the intake manifold. In that great post of yours that you linked, you mentioned using a leak stopper. Would you suggest using that in the short term? I intend to repair the problem properly soon, but as the truck is my only vehicle, I might need more than a weekend to get the job done. I will readily admit that I am a little intimidated by this task. I have done lots of different jobs on this truck, but I have never pulled the intake manifold off any vehicle let alone this one with the fuel rails, COPS, and everything else.
Thanks again, this place is awesome.
Thanks again, this place is awesome.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Srtwayne
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
7
Nov 30, 2017 08:53 PM
cnelso48
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
5
Feb 21, 2010 05:40 PM
