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

Degas Test

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 18, 2015 | 05:32 AM
  #16  
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 Bullitt390
I would recommend a second opinion...

Josh
I would recommend a second opinion also.

FWIW-- wicked wheel is a total waste of money. Try Riff Raff or KCturbos for a MUCH better compressor wheel that actually works. Also, new style standpipes come with OEM headgaskets so all you really need to get is new style dummy plugs PN: W302908
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2015 | 12:57 PM
  #17  
mudfuel06's Avatar
mudfuel06
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Chiefland, Fl
I got two other opinions. One was $2500 with me supplying all the parts and fluids and the other was $2000 for labor. Thanks for the heads up on the standpipes, I'll just have him get the plugs. For the other opinions, are you asking because of the price or the leak? Thanks for the insight and info.
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2015 | 01:10 PM
  #18  
WatsonR's Avatar
WatsonR
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
Have someone else diagnose the issue, then get several quotes for the work.
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2015 | 04:23 PM
  #19  
Rusty Axlerod's Avatar
Rusty Axlerod
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
I think a headgaskets failing and leaking coolant from the back of the cylinder head is a bit unusual, typical failure mode is 18:1 compression pumping cylinder pressure into the cooling system and venting out of the degas cap. If the diag is correct, be sure to get someone with the proper tools and skills to check the head for straightness and budget for machine work or maybe even replacement cylinder head(s).
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2015 | 04:56 PM
  #20  
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
I think a headgaskets failing and leaking coolant from the back of the cylinder head is a bit unusual, typical failure mode is 18:1 compression pumping cylinder pressure into the cooling system and venting out of the degas cap. If the diag is correct, be sure to get someone with the proper tools and skills to check the head for straightness and budget for machine work or maybe even replacement cylinder head(s).
Rusty hit it on the head. It's really really really unusual. If it really is leaking there I'd think something more like a freeze plug than head gasket.
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2015 | 05:40 PM
  #21  
mudfuel06's Avatar
mudfuel06
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Chiefland, Fl
Originally Posted by Rusty Axlerod
I think a headgaskets failing and leaking coolant from the back of the cylinder head is a bit unusual, typical failure mode is 18:1 compression pumping cylinder pressure into the cooling system and venting out of the degas cap. If the diag is correct, be sure to get someone with the proper tools and skills to check the head for straightness and budget for machine work or maybe even replacement cylinder head(s).
The $2600 he quoted me included machining the heads. I'll get another opinion again this weekend. From what I remember, he said that he pressurized the system and saw coolant leaking from the heads at the back of the block. One note, I have had the degas cap leak coolant a couple of times, even after replacing the cap twice.
 
Reply
Old Sep 18, 2015 | 06:05 PM
  #22  
Bullitt390's Avatar
Bullitt390
Certified Thread Hijacker
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 60
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by mudfuel06
The $2600 he quoted me included machining the heads. I'll get another opinion again this weekend. From what I remember, he said that he pressurized the system and saw coolant leaking from the heads at the back of the block. One note, I have had the degas cap leak coolant a couple of times, even after replacing the cap twice.
Pretty sure you are being taken for a ride.

A coolant leak on the driver's side is likely:

Cracked Degas Bottle
Y-fitting cracked
Heater hose has a tear from the FICM

An external leak from a headgasket is extremely rare, and the only one I have seen was actually a cracked head from the exhaust manifold and not the gasket.

A leak from the passenger side is almost always the EGR cooler hose, BUT that son-of-a-gun has a way of migrating nearly anywhere and also looking like an oil leak.

Josh
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2015 | 08:11 AM
  #23  
mudfuel06's Avatar
mudfuel06
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Chiefland, Fl
Another update

I borrowed a pressure tester from Advance Auto. I pumped the system to 10 psi and it lost about a pound in 10 minutes. I then pumped it to about 14 psi and crawled under the truck looking for leaks. It was a little wet on the backside of the engine by the heads, but couldn't confirm it was antifreeze. Unfortunately, the truck is warm and the coolant tester keeps popping off the degas bottle. I'll try later this afternoon and see what happens. On a side note, I did notice a drop or two of fresh coolant from the blue delete hose. Fingers crossed!
 
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 Sep 19, 2015 | 01:22 PM
  #24  
mudfuel06's Avatar
mudfuel06
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Chiefland, Fl
Update #2

I pressurized the system to 11 psi and walked away. Came back about 5 minutes later to a lake on the ground. The antifreeze is coming off the back passenger side of the engine. It looks like it's coming from the top. I'm leaning towards either the delete hose(it's leaking for sure) or a freeze plug. I put the truck up on the rack and am going to buy a little mirror.

Hopefully I'll be able to chase this down before the weekend is over.
 
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2015 | 08:24 AM
  #25  
mudfuel06's Avatar
mudfuel06
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Chiefland, Fl
I pressurized the system to 11 psi again. The only leak I can find is from the delete hose. It's running from the top of the engine down the passenger side. It does make it look like it's coming from the head, but a good mechanic should take the rime to investigate. I'm going to redo the EGR delete this week once my up pipe plug comes in. Is there any upside to using the new blue hose from Ford? I figure using it, maybe I won't have the hose clamp problems.

Thank you for all the help! This forum has saved me a bunch of money.
 
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2015 | 08:51 AM
  #26  
Rusty Axlerod's Avatar
Rusty Axlerod
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
Yes. The little blue hose from Ford has a better chance of working longer because it fits better. Putting clamp on it doesn't help because of the metal ring made into it. Bulk hose from the parts store has a slightly larger inside diameter and you have to overtighten the worm clamps to make it work, also the nipple on the oil cooler cover is short and has the pointed locking tabs cast into it that digs into the hose when you honk down on the clamp. The best option is this:

 
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2015 | 10:17 AM
  #27  
mudfuel06's Avatar
mudfuel06
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Chiefland, Fl
Rusty, I actually already have an ebay delete. But why did you have to show my the IPR!!! I'm thinking I'm going to order the Gen2 with the blockoff plate now. That way, no blue hose to leak.
 
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2015 | 06:11 PM
  #28  
Rusty Axlerod's Avatar
Rusty Axlerod
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
Just tryin to help a brother out

Sorry about the wallet lightening.

Many thanks to Anthony at Super Duty Service for posting this video.
 
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2015 | 06:58 PM
  #29  
Macrosill's Avatar
Macrosill
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 765
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, NY
Originally Posted by mudfuel06
Rusty, I actually already have an ebay delete. But why did you have to show my the IPR!!! I'm thinking I'm going to order the Gen2 with the blockoff plate now. That way, no blue hose to leak.
Listen to Rusty.

When I did my cooler, standpipes and dummy plugs I replaced the cheap ebay delete that came on the truck and installed an IPR delete. I bought the factory second and could not find a flaw. As a matter of fact, I can barely see the delete when I am looking for it anyway. It saved me a few bucks.
 
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2015 | 08:47 PM
  #30  
mudfuel06's Avatar
mudfuel06
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Chiefland, Fl
Originally Posted by Macrosill
Listen to Rusty.

When I did my cooler, standpipes and dummy plugs I replaced the cheap ebay delete that came on the truck and installed an IPR delete. I bought the factory second and could not find a flaw. As a matter of fact, I can barely see the delete when I am looking for it anyway. It saved me a few bucks.
I did the same thing. $25 bucks is $25 bucks! I ordered it tonight, hopefully it will be here by the weekend so I can so it right this time.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:52 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