Coolant Dissapearing??
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Coolant Dissapearing??
How can I test to see if My head gaskets are leaking on my 1995 FOrd F-150 4x4, 5.0L. I never have any coolant drip out of it, I dont see any leaks, and I dont have any steam coming from the tailpipe, but my coolant keeps dissapearing. I havent been checking it regularly, but i know i changed my thermostat a few weeks ago and flushed and filled the system, and now the resivoir is bone dry, and the radiator is low enough that I cant see the level of the coolant when i look down into it. Its been like this since I have owned it, THe coolant in the resivoir is usually brown and when i fill the resivoir up, it dissapears very quickly, but there is nothing leaking out onto the ground, and no smell of coolant burning off the block. When i changed the thermostat, i flushed out the system because all the coolant was brown, is that a sign of exhaust gasses seeping through the head gasket and contaminating the coolant? How can I be sure if the head gaskets are the problem, and could this be the reason the truck seems to have almost no horsepower in hot or humid weather? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
-John
-John
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 393
Likes: 3
From: Merrill
Coolant Dissapearing??
the best sign I have almost always seen is seem coming from the exahust, or when it is full of coolant (and cold) take the radiator cap off and see if you get any air bubbles coming out of the radiator. Other than that you would have to do a pressure test on the cyl.
New User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Coolant Dissapearing??
my wife used to drive an '86 gmc (dont tell anyone)...but i knew the head gasket was bad b/c the coolant was getting mixed in with the oil. i dont remember the coolant being brown, but i do remember the oil getting much lighter...someone described the oil as "milky".
b
b
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 750
Likes: 2
From: Buena Vista
Coolant Dissapearing??
I don’t think his problem is a leaky head gasket or anything of the sort.
When he flushed the system, he may not have ran the engine for a while with the cap off the radiator to get most of the air out, and when doing this you top off the radiator with fluid. so the air gets trapped in there, and as you drive it the air comes out and coolant goes in from the reservoir. that’s where the coolant is going.
Fill the reservoir up again, run it for a while keep an eye on it. You will not be seeing a loss of coolant one all the air is out.
When he flushed the system, he may not have ran the engine for a while with the cap off the radiator to get most of the air out, and when doing this you top off the radiator with fluid. so the air gets trapped in there, and as you drive it the air comes out and coolant goes in from the reservoir. that’s where the coolant is going.
Fill the reservoir up again, run it for a while keep an eye on it. You will not be seeing a loss of coolant one all the air is out.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 393
Likes: 3
From: Merrill
Coolant Dissapearing??
That is very true I missed the part that this happened after he fushed the system.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
Coolant Dissapearing??
Had the same problem with a 5.0 mustang. Put a pressure tester on the radiator and it checked out fine, then I decided to hook up an air hose to each cylinder. My compression tester had a rubber hose with one end that screwed into the cylinder, but the other end had a fitting that was exactly the same as a quick couple air hose fitting. I put about 30 lbs. in each cylinder (make sure your on the compression stroke), and the coolant in the radiator began to bubble on the bad cylinder. Oh by the way - take your radiator cap off when doing this and make sure the coolant is at a level where you can see it.
Good Luck
Good Luck
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
