Hello all...I did a coolant flush a couple weeks ago along with coolant filter install and new thermostat. The truck was good for atleast 10 days with no leaks.

Last weekend I took a 9 hour road trip to my land in southern MO from Dallas. I was pulling a 14 foot but heavy equipment trailer with just a brush hog on it. The truck was fine and even the trip back home to Dallas on sunday I checked it halfway home and coolant was where it should be. Monday morning i smelled it when driving and looked under and she's leaking. Not a ton but enough to almost empty the degas bottle after about 30 minutes.

I checked everything hoping it was just from my coolant filter or the connections or a loose hose. None of these have any evidence and I found that the top corner of the radiator seems to have a leak. I can actually see a stain going down the side of the radiator from the old ford gold coolant....I'm wondering if the new ELC ate through the hole more? I'm wondering why this happened after I did everything or if it's coincidence.

I'm pretty sure its coming from the plastic to metal connection at the top left of the radiator and I read it's common, was thinking about going ahead and ordering the all aluminum version.

Also I'm wondering if my water pump is going or if I'm paranoid. I occasionally get a tiny belt squeak upon cold starts for less than a second or two. My temps on my trip with the trailer averaged ect 206 eot 211. On big hills it would see ect at 215 and one time 221(came down quick). Deltas never got more than 8 or 9 on big hills with twice seeing 11 delta being the highest I've ever seen. It was 95-100 outside. My truck empty will still go over 205 ECT . The thermostat is new, I wonder if the coolant isn't circulating as it should? Does my truck run to warm or do these seem normal? I have looked around and see trucks that seem to stay under 200 empty on the highway. Sorry this truck has made me a nervous nelly!!

Thanks for any thoughts
Here you can see the old stain I guess I always had a tiny leak but now it's gotten worse.


This seems to be where it's coming from.

 

I had the same problem just a few weeks ago. Started a thread here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...lant-leak.html several folks posted suggestions. I also worried about the coolant filter connections so I rented a tester and posted a few pictures on it also. I have a new radiator to install this weekend.

 

Thanks Rusty I'll read it now!

 

I don't see any unusual temps in your post above. Looks pretty normal. As noted in the separate post, if necessary, loosen the tank cap and monitor closely until you get home.

You'll eat up some coolant but if watched carefully, it should work to get home temporarily.

What did you use to flush your system before the leak?

 

I had the same thing a few weeks ago also. Must be time for it. I too now have a new rad. FYI: You can get a Mishimoto on e-bay for about $360.

 

Great to hear some reassurance on the temps. I used restore and restore plus and a lot of distilled water. Only had a tiny bit of brown goo from the restore and the restore plus didn't pull much of anything. Temps were good before and after.

 

Thanks for that I was gonna shop around and pick that or the BPD. If I can get the Mish for 360 that's a no brainer I guess.

Have you guys noticed similar temps with the Mishimoto? (I know Rusty hasn't installed yet)

 

Oh and I had a very similar splash pattern from the coolant dripping in the fan like Rusty's. And the degas bottle is clean as a whistle and never puked before.

 

That's a smoking deal if it's for real, I ordered through XDP for considerably more.

 

I haven't really noticed much cooling difference, but it hasn't been that warm here and I've only just driven it today since the new rad. But one thing is my tanks wont separate now and i have a lifetime warranty on it.

Oh, trust me! I was extremely nervous about it for like a week.
When I got it though, it would have to be a REALLY good knock off (serial number on the side and all) for it to be fake. Even the plastic it was wrapped in the mishi box said mishi. I'm pretty sure it's real. If it's not, my extended warranty paid for it anyway.

 

I don't see any right now. Shame... If you're not in a hurry, maybe there will be more in a bit.
What year is your truck? Performance radiator has the same one that BPD sells but for $248. The only issue is fittings with this one work fine for 03-04, but BPD includes adapters for the 05+ STC fittings. I really wanted the Mishi because of the lifetime vs 3 yr warranty.

If you have an 03 early 04 you can also get this Mishi knock-off, but it's only a 1 yr warranty. not sure why they say 03-04 on those. If they want you to swap the fittings, both style fittings have the same threads.
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/prod...aia_id=1431899
These will go for $260 all day long on e-bay tho.

And one more thing I found. AutoZone has plastic tank rads with a lifetime warranty too. Around $320 IIRC.

Just a couple of ideas if you can't find the cheaper Mishi and don't want to fork out the extra $$$.

Anyway, I did a lot of searching on this when I was trying to decide if the the $362 Mishi was legit and maybe you or a future Google search will find this handy.

 

I did the BPD a few years ago.

Easy job (after seeing Ron's shroud removal video on youtube) but the tranny line fittings needed a little modding before the lines would slip in.

Very pleased, no issues.

 

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I like the sound of a lifetime warranty on the Mishi, best i can find now seems to be 684 free shipping. I defiantly want to avoid another plastic tank version, I'm pretty sure the bottom lip and fittings have tiny leaks since I put the ELC in.

My truck is an 05...so it seems for most of them I'm gonna have to modify the trans lines?

 

Boy am I happy....just checked ebay again and found the Mishimoto for 362 free shipping. The feedback had people say that they are legit. I bought that puppy right away.

If you need a rad go look asap!

 

I'm gonna go check out Rusty's thread to see if he installed his. But for those of you who have installed the Mishi like Rellick......what can you teach me about the trans lines? I think I need a special little tool, were you able to get it at parts store? Do i have to "modify" the trans lines?