85' F150 Overheating HELP!!
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85' F150 Overheating HELP!!
85' F150 I6-300: OK here goes, I need some help with my overheating truck.
My truck began running very HOT on Wed. and seemed to be using a lot of coolant. I checked and ended up replacing the thermostat (it seemed stuck).
Since Thu., I've had to top up my coolant each morning to get to and from work...the coolant is sprayed all over my engine compartment. The truck still runs good (except the coolant issue).
So, I'm guessing it's not a blown head gasket. Plugged radiator, water pump is about 2 years old, radiator cap (2 years old), air in system?? Any help will be greatly appreciated!!
My truck began running very HOT on Wed. and seemed to be using a lot of coolant. I checked and ended up replacing the thermostat (it seemed stuck).
Since Thu., I've had to top up my coolant each morning to get to and from work...the coolant is sprayed all over my engine compartment. The truck still runs good (except the coolant issue).
So, I'm guessing it's not a blown head gasket. Plugged radiator, water pump is about 2 years old, radiator cap (2 years old), air in system?? Any help will be greatly appreciated!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: South Dakota
85' F150 I6-300: OK here goes, I need some help with my overheating truck.
My truck began running very HOT on Wed. and seemed to be using a lot of coolant. I checked and ended up replacing the thermostat (it seemed stuck).
Since Thu., I've had to top up my coolant each morning to get to and from work...the coolant is sprayed all over my engine compartment.
My truck began running very HOT on Wed. and seemed to be using a lot of coolant. I checked and ended up replacing the thermostat (it seemed stuck).
Since Thu., I've had to top up my coolant each morning to get to and from work...the coolant is sprayed all over my engine compartment.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
My guess is you have a leak where you replaced the thermostat. Perhaps a bad gasket or the bolts aren't tight. But, be careful tightening the bolts since it is possible on some engines to have the thermostat slip and get in the mating area, so if that has happened you can break the thermostat housing by tightening too much.
As for checking, it probably won't leak until the system gets under pressure, which means you driven it several miles. So, check after a trip with the engine running.
As for checking, it probably won't leak until the system gets under pressure, which means you driven it several miles. So, check after a trip with the engine running.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
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From: South Dakota
Top the coolant up. You could probably just let it sit and idle and as the engine warmed up and pressure built up in the system, the leak should show up. If that doesn't work drive it a ways and check where the coolant is spraying out from. Hopefully the leak shouldn't be too hard to find.
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About the only dry part of my engine is the thermostat housing (obviously that doesn't preclude a leak) though lol 
I have changed them before, so I'm confident the job was done right.
My guess is its coming out of the radiator/cap. I will top it off/recheck it. What if it is coming out of the top of the radiator??
I have changed them before, so I'm confident the job was done right. My guess is its coming out of the radiator/cap. I will top it off/recheck it. What if it is coming out of the top of the radiator??
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From: Northeast, OK
Then I'd check for a bad radiator cap. If the seal on the cap is bad it will leak under pressure and the fan will blow it all over the engine compartment. Ditto a bad hose or hose connection. But, it'll probably only leak when the engine is really warm.
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Would that cause me to loose a gallon+ of coolant on a 20 min drive to work? Can I reasonablly preclude a blown/leaking head gasket or not yet? Like I said, engine runs great, has power, etc. What about air in the system?
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Air in the system won't cause you to truly lose coolant, but it might seem so as you have to keep putting more coolant in until it finally gets full. However, that doesn't explain the coolant all over everything, which says you have a leak. And losing a gallon in a 20 minute drive is a LEAK.
No, this doesn't say you don't have a blown headgasket. However, a blown headgasket won't put coolant all over everything. It usually goes out the exhaust undetected, although it is possible for it to come out between the head and block. Still, that is usually far enough back to not get on everything.
I'd look for the coolant leak and not worry about the headgasket now. I doubt it is blown and it doesn't match the symptoms.
No, this doesn't say you don't have a blown headgasket. However, a blown headgasket won't put coolant all over everything. It usually goes out the exhaust undetected, although it is possible for it to come out between the head and block. Still, that is usually far enough back to not get on everything.
I'd look for the coolant leak and not worry about the headgasket now. I doubt it is blown and it doesn't match the symptoms.
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Air in the system won't cause you to truly lose coolant, but it might seem so as you have to keep putting more coolant in until it finally gets full. However, that doesn't explain the coolant all over everything, which says you have a leak. And losing a gallon in a 20 minute drive is a LEAK.
No, this doesn't say you don't have a blown headgasket. However, a blown headgasket won't put coolant all over everything. It usually goes out the exhaust undetected, although it is possible for it to come out between the head and block. Still, that is usually far enough back to not get on everything.
I'd look for the coolant leak and not worry about the headgasket now. I doubt it is blown and it doesn't match the symptoms.
No, this doesn't say you don't have a blown headgasket. However, a blown headgasket won't put coolant all over everything. It usually goes out the exhaust undetected, although it is possible for it to come out between the head and block. Still, that is usually far enough back to not get on everything.
I'd look for the coolant leak and not worry about the headgasket now. I doubt it is blown and it doesn't match the symptoms.
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You know they make a tool so you can pressurize the cooling system to check for leaks.
It also has an adaptor to check the cap.
Maybe you can rent one thru one of the auto parts stores?
Dave ----
It also has an adaptor to check the cap.
Maybe you can rent one thru one of the auto parts stores?
Dave ----
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Good idea! I did that once upon a time and found the problem - but I forgot it. I rented it from O'Reilly's.
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Well, I pulled out the Big Guns and had my dad drive up to help me. It turned out it was the head gasket. After replacing it, it no longer overheats or loses coolant and it has a lot more power (go figure)!! Thanks for all the feedback!!