Boiling Coolant in 1995 E150
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Boiling Coolant in 1995 E150
My van has the 5 liter V8 and lately I have been noticing that the temp gauge is reading on the high end of the spectrum. Today when I got home and shut the engine off I noticed a strange noise coming from the engine compartment. I opened the hood and it sounded like the coolant was boiling.
There was no steam coming from the radiator or anything like that just the noise which sounded a lot like boiling water in a kettle.
The coolant is pretty old and I don't know how old the radiator is. Could it be just the coolant needs to be replaced or something more serious like the radiator or water pump? Any advice would be great as I rely on this vehicle to get to work and don't know if I should even continue to drive it like this.
There was no steam coming from the radiator or anything like that just the noise which sounded a lot like boiling water in a kettle.The coolant is pretty old and I don't know how old the radiator is. Could it be just the coolant needs to be replaced or something more serious like the radiator or water pump? Any advice would be great as I rely on this vehicle to get to work and don't know if I should even continue to drive it like this.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 10
From: Thornhill , Ontario
flush and replace the coolant and also change the thermostat....thats where I would start...Could be a worn water pump OR toasted Rad or both...but you will not know untill you flush it and put the proper ratio of antifreeze specific to your engine model and Install a new correct thermostat .....then you will know what to do ...Good Luck
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
That's what I am afraid of. I don't have the tools or space to do this meaning I would have to hire a mechanic to do it. If he'll charge me $200 to flush/replace the coolant as well as replace the thermostat and it turns out it's not that then this will turn into a very costly affair. The last mechanic I hired ripped me off to the tune of several hundred dollars and I am dreading going down that road again but what choice do I have? Can I just drain the coolant from the radiator, add straight distilled water, and drain again and top off with fresh coolant and see if that will help?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 25
From: Central Florida
More diagnostic activity is in order.
You should find THE problem and fix that. Could be low coolant level. Could be water pump. Could be serpentine belt. Could be radiator. Could be ....
You should find THE problem and fix that. Could be low coolant level. Could be water pump. Could be serpentine belt. Could be radiator. Could be ....
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
An update: This morning I checked the coolant level and the radiator was full. Only had to add roughly one quart into the reserve tank. I did notice a yellow slime on the radiator cap. I drove the van around town for an hour and the temp gauge was just under the half way mark. The coolant never boiled. I noticed it runs hot on the freeway when the engine is turning high RPMs.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Bedford, Va
Some items are difficult to test and you may have to let the age of the part decide. Case in point, I had noticed my temp gauge rising at stop lights. Turns out the thermostatic fan clutch was worn out (poor coupling when temp was high)
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
I know the fan is always spinning. Honestly, all the parts, from the radiator to the water pump are old. I did replace the thermostat six years ago when I bought the van. I don't want to just start replacing everything and hope something will stick.
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 10
From: Thornhill , Ontario
Well ...the cheapest thing to replace is the thermostat.....I would at least do that and flush the system and replace the coolant with the correct ratio....Then see what happens....
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Good idea. I am assuming it's best to use distilled water? Also is there petcock on the bottom of the radiator to drain the coolant? What is the best way to drain all the old coolant from the engine without overheating it?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 10
From: Thornhill , Ontario
Open the petcock but be carefull it is plastic....then I would remove the lower rad hose...then I would remove the thermostat and stick the garden hose in there and let it clean the crap out .... then let it drip dry .....re-attach everything, Install the new T-Stat and run it ( with distilled water ) ...see what happens ....after that I would add the correct coolant mix if everything works out
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
In town driving for a hour no issues...guessing you have not done any coolant maintenance since the themastat replacement. flush , go 50/50 and add a water wetter. they work. Lots of them , I use the green stuff at auto zone. https://www.google.com/?ion=1&espv=2...for%20radiator