Coolant Level Questions

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Jan 15, 2014 | 05:12 PM

joejackF250

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 224

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Coolant Level Questions

I just recently posted on another thread about how I thought my truck was loosing coolant. I filled it with distilled water (about a quart maybe a little more) to the fill line and I took it on a test drive last night to get it up to temperature and once I got back I saw the lever dropped a little which I know is normal. Well just now I went to see if it went back to max fill line and it hasn't, it was the same as last night. Is this normal or did I lose the coolant? Everything is operating normal like the ECT/EOT temps were 5 degrees apart at max (182/187), no white smoke, no coolant smell, and no oil/coolant mixture.

That being said, what is normal coolant level "activity" in the degas bottle on a normal operating truck with no load and no problems? And after it sits overnight should the coolant rise back up or stay at a lower level?

Jan 15, 2014 | 05:18 PM

Magnus E

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 1,336

Likes: 11

From: Danbury, CT

I had a similar issue a while back. Got me real concerned so I took it to the dealer. Turned out to be a leaking radiator hose and the fix was a $3 dollar clamp. Might be worth it to look around all the hoses for any signs of leakage.

Jan 15, 2014 | 05:19 PM

jswartz84

Cargo Master

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 2,723

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From: Roseburg, OR

When the engine is cold, the fluid shoud be no higher then the MIN line on the degas bottle.

Jan 15, 2014 | 05:22 PM

joejackF250

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 224

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnus E

Where exactly are the hoses, and how many?

Jan 15, 2014 | 05:28 PM

Magnus E

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 1,336

Likes: 11

From: Danbury, CT

There is one that runs from the bottom of the radiator to the driver side lower part of engine block. You have another one on the top of the radiator driver side. Then there are the two thinner hoses running to the expansion tank. A tricky one to check is the short little red one (or blue for some) at the EGR cooler. You'll find it under the intake manifold on the passenger side (sort of midway between the turbo and oil cooler housing). Finally, you have the hoses running to the heater core right on top of the passenger valve cover.

Jan 15, 2014 | 07:57 PM

69cj

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 13,834

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From: Middle Tn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnus E

You also need to check the heater hoses and heater control valve.

Jan 15, 2014 | 08:44 PM

Fal-308-Win

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 1,452

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From: Nor Cal

If hoses are leaking you'll see white crusty spots at the leak point or below, or. wet spots on the driveway. Look under the Degas Bottle they crack after a while. Put a 0-30 psi Gauge on a coolant line to see if the system holds pressure. Mine holds steady at 8 PSI.