Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Coolant leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 08:57 AM
  #1  
Rusty Axlerod's Avatar
Rusty Axlerod
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Club FTE Gold Member
Coolant leak

Well, on a short camping trip just one and half hour drive. Temps were warm but fan was working well. Got out of the truck to register at the camp grounds and smelled antifreeze. Popped the hood and:









My first though was radiator being it seem to be on the passenger side of center but I can't see any problem at all. Coolant filter lines look good also. A pressure check will show the problem I guess. Not really lookin to wrench on the truck at the camp. Coolant level is just visible in the bottom of the degas bottle so I'm thinking I can top it off and get home ok. Anybody seen one fail like this? Other considerations or possibilities I'm missing? I'm thinking I'm about to do business with Mr. Mishimoto...
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 09:17 AM
  #2  
mustang_309's Avatar
mustang_309
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 7
From: South Weber, Utah
Originally Posted by Rusty Axlerod
Well, on a short camping trip just one and half hour drive. Temps were warm but fan was working well. Got out of the truck to register at the camp grounds and smelled antifreeze. Popped the hood and:



My first though was radiator being it seem to be on the passenger side of center but I can't see any problem at all. Coolant filter lines look good also. A pressure check will show the problem I guess. Not really lookin to wrench on the truck at the camp. Coolant level is just visible in the bottom of the degas bottle so I'm thinking I can top it off and get home ok. Anybody seen one fail like this? Other considerations or possibilities I'm missing? I'm thinking I'm about to do business with Mr. Mishimoto...
That sucks Rusty. Due to the location ( I just opened my hood to compare where the coolant was on the underneath side of your hood with mine ) I would think it would have to be the radiator, or perhaps one of the lines from your coolant filter are leaking. You could start it with the hood open and get it hot and see where it is coming from.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 09:17 AM
  #3  
npccpartsman's Avatar
npccpartsman
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Club FTE Silver Member

Radiator tank upper seal. You might try tapping on the crimps AFTER you get back home OR it could be a tank crack that's opening and closing.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 10:17 AM
  #4  
Rusty Axlerod's Avatar
Rusty Axlerod
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Club FTE Gold Member
Thanks guys. The pics were taken shortly after a 45min pull at 65-70mph. It was pretty hot still and the only clue was the puddles. Common ECT/EOT was 214/218 and climbing a little from there on the hills but the fan would ramp up to 2500-2900 for a few seconds and temps would come right down. So I was feeling pretty good about how things were going.

I'm thinking like you guys, the plastic tank or it's seal has failed. It only lost a quart or two and nothing lower on the radiator looked wet. No puddle on the ground. I did notice another advantage to the red ELC is it has a strong smell, no ignoring there was an issue .

My Father-in-law just came over and offered me a can of Stop Leak, think I should try it?

(Just kidding )
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 10:34 AM
  #5  
Rusty Axlerod's Avatar
Rusty Axlerod
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Club FTE Gold Member
Oh, I almost forgot. STUPID POS 6.0! MONEY EATING P@$? Of $#!. I'M GUNNA BLOW THS #¥@&er UP! AND BURN THE PIECES...FIRE AND SMOKE! FROM THE SULPHUROUS BOWELS OF HELL! ARRGGHHH! (On my knees, clenched fists raised toward the sky)

Hmm, maybe that did help a little
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 10:51 AM
  #6  
KDAVID1's Avatar
KDAVID1
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 5
From: TX
Originally Posted by Rusty Axlerod
Oh, I almost forgot. STUPID POS 6.0! MONEY EATING P@$? Of $#!. I'M GUNNA BLOW THS #¥@&er UP! AND BURN THE PIECES...FIRE AND SMOKE! FROM THE SULPHUROUS BOWELS OF HELL! ARRGGHHH! (On my knees, clenched fists raised toward the sky)

Hmm, maybe that did help a little


Hey your degas bottle looks good though--no puking there
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 11:08 AM
  #7  
amdriven2liv's Avatar
amdriven2liv
I'm hitting easy street
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,395
Likes: 27
From: Central Oregon
Club FTE Silver Member

Sorry to see the leak! Especially while "relaxing" for the weekend.

Well, here is a nice video on radiator removal.

 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 11:16 AM
  #8  
Money-Pit's Avatar
Money-Pit
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 3
From: SW Florida
Originally Posted by Rusty Axlerod
Oh, I almost forgot. STUPID POS 6.0! MONEY EATING P@$? Of $#!. I'M GUNNA BLOW THS #¥@&er UP! AND BURN THE PIECES...FIRE AND SMOKE! FROM THE SULPHUROUS BOWELS OF HELL! ARRGGHHH! (On my knees, clenched fists raised toward the sky)

Hmm, maybe that did help a little
Yup, it's time for a Cummins transplant!

Seriously, that sucks on vacation....Maybe you could keep the cap on the degas bottle loose, to help keep pressure low, and less leakage on the way home?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 11:22 AM
  #9  
mustang_309's Avatar
mustang_309
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 7
From: South Weber, Utah
Originally Posted by Rusty Axlerod
Thanks guys. The pics were taken shortly after a 45min pull at 65-70mph. It was pretty hot still and the only clue was the puddles. Common ECT/EOT was 214/218 and climbing a little from there on the hills but the fan would ramp up to 2500-2900 for a few seconds and temps would come right down. So I was feeling pretty good about how things were going.

I'm thinking like you guys, the plastic tank or it's seal has failed. It only lost a quart or two and nothing lower on the radiator looked wet. No puddle on the ground. I did notice another advantage to the red ELC is it has a strong smell, no ignoring there was an issue .

My Father-in-law just came over and offered me a can of Stop Leak, think I should try it?

(Just kidding )
Lol now that's old school.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 11:41 AM
  #10  
Rusty Axlerod's Avatar
Rusty Axlerod
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Money-Pit
Yup, it's time for a Cummins transplant!

Seriously, that sucks on vacation....Maybe you could keep the cap on the degas bottle loose, to help keep pressure low, and less leakage on the way home?
Not a bad idea. Think I could get away with that while towing? Temps, and I'm guessing pressure, will be higher than just cruising unloaded.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 04:41 PM
  #11  
BryanStein's Avatar
BryanStein
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 114
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
Originally Posted by Rusty Axlerod
Not a bad idea. Think I could get away with that while towing? Temps, and I'm guessing pressure, will be higher than just cruising unloaded.
Rusty. I don't know where you are camping, but in in gulf state park campground. If you are 1.5 hours from home, we may be close. This will sound silly because I suspect you have all your tools with you and you know more about the 6.0 than I, but I have my tool box and am willing to help you break it more if you want to try. I'm here till Monday.

I'll even help you put the Cummings in it in the campground. We just have to figure a way to pull the cab. If you are in the park too, let me know what site and I'll come see you. I've even got the gage and tubing to check your coolant stem pressure with me if you want to bum it for the ride home.

As stated by others I would get it warmed up for the return trip, then loosen the cap to relieve the pressure, and put her in the wind. Mine will not build any pressure after I relieve the pressure after it is warm.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 06:49 PM
  #12  
9228.bobcat's Avatar
9228.bobcat
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
From: missouri
I here you Rusty. POS 6.0's. That was a good one.lol
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 10:17 PM
  #13  
Rusty Axlerod's Avatar
Rusty Axlerod
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by BryanStein
Rusty. I don't know where you are camping, but in in gulf state park campground. If you are 1.5 hours from home, we may be close. This will sound silly because I suspect you have all your tools with you and you know more about the 6.0 than I, but I have my tool box and am willing to help you break it more if you want to try. I'm here till Monday.

I'll even help you put the Cummings in it in the campground. We just have to figure a way to pull the cab. If you are in the park too, let me know what site and I'll come see you. I've even got the gage and tubing to check your coolant stem pressure with me if you want to bum it for the ride home.

As stated by others I would get it warmed up for the return trip, then loosen the cap to relieve the pressure, and put her in the wind. Mine will not build any pressure after I relieve the pressure after it is warm.
Thanks for the offer Bryan! We do have a nice tree over the campsite that should work for pullin the cab . I'm afraid the swap would take too much time and beer to complete here though. Not sure where you are but I'm at White Oak on the Alabama side of lake Eufaula. There is a place to get Cummings parts here in town but no Cat dealer to get ELC. Guess I'll use distilled but if I loose much coolant it's gonna get diluted. Oh well, I might try the stuff from napa after radiator fix anyway.

Hey Tim, have you tried recrimping a radiator like that before? Any luck doing that? I was thinking of pliers and squeezing but metallurgy can be puzzling and particular methods are important sometimes. Maybe a dolly under the crimp and light taps across the top? If that proves to be the problem, I'll replace the radiator anyway but that might get me by until it's order/shipped and I find time to install it.
 
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2014 | 10:21 PM
  #14  
04badford's Avatar
04badford
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,833
Likes: 96
From: Manteca,Ca
Ahh Man sorry to hear this Eric , I would not put stop leak in unless you want a new oil cooler, is that a OEM radiator, hope the rest of the Vacation goes well
 
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2014 | 05:06 AM
  #15  
npccpartsman's Avatar
npccpartsman
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Rusty Axlerod
Thanks for the offer Bryan! We do have a nice tree over the campsite that should work for pullin the cab . I'm afraid the swap would take too much time and beer to complete here though. Not sure where you are but I'm at White Oak on the Alabama side of lake Eufaula. There is a place to get Cummings parts here in town but no Cat dealer to get ELC. Guess I'll use distilled but if I loose much coolant it's gonna get diluted. Oh well, I might try the stuff from napa after radiator fix anyway.

Hey Tim, have you tried recrimping a radiator like that before? Any luck doing that? I was thinking of pliers and squeezing but metallurgy can be puzzling and particular methods are important sometimes. Maybe a dolly under the crimp and light taps across the top? If that proves to be the problem, I'll replace the radiator anyway but that might get me by until it's order/shipped and I find time to install it.
I suggest after you get home because the aluminum crimps can be flaky anyway. They can and do repair those radiators as the tanks are available but I wouldn't personally do it. I've seen new radiators with the tabs around the tank fractured from manufacturing and radiators aren't that expensive. I would only do it on the road in an emergency.

FWIW--my tank cracked for absolutely no good reason at all. I just came home from work one day and it puked in the driveway. It hadn't been touched in months.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:12 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE