Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

Excessive coolant pressure.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 9, 2016 | 01:32 PM
  #1  
akamacgyver's Avatar
akamacgyver
Thread Starter
|
Clueless spectator!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 6
From: Denver, CO
Club FTE Silver Member

Excessive coolant pressure.

Hey guys, I picked up a real clean 94 dually RWD IDIT for 1500 bucks. I bought it because he had paperwork for a Jasper E40D rebuild that is still under warranty. The truck is getting parted out, but the original problem was that it developed so much coolant pressure, that it blew the neck off of the radiator! I figured it was head gaskets, or the dreaded cavitation, but I got it home and put a scrap radiator in it, and the things runs perfect. No oil in the water, no water in the oil, but it still build pressure from the radiator. It immediately, when started blows a stream of fluid out of the overflow tube, and when the coolant level gets low enough, it blows bubbles from the tube. The bubbles don't smell at all like exhaust, and there is no smoke produced from them. The motor sounds and runs perfect. The water pump is leaking slightly from the weep hole. My question is, Could a water pump back up in such a way, that it blew pressure back into the radiator? Nothing else seems to be unusual about the way it runs. It doesn't overheat while idling, and there is no moisture or coolant smell from the exhaust. I need to buy a compression gauge and check that, but it runs too well to think head gaskets, and if it were cavitation, I would think the bubbles would smell like exhaust, and they don't.

Your thoughts? Thanks,

Mac.
 
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2016 | 03:33 PM
  #2  
genscripter's Avatar
genscripter
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,072
Likes: 48
From: California
are you running coolant, or are you running water? Once I ran water while trying ot diagnose a similar problem, and once it got up to temp, it would bubble like you said. no exhaust smell. I even captured a bunch of the gas, then took it to a clean area. Then opened the jar. No exhaust.

I ended up theorizing that the water was boiling in the block once it got to temp, thus making it appear like bubbles. Once I ran fleetcharge,the bubbles disappeared.
 
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2016 | 04:57 PM
  #3  
speedwrench72's Avatar
speedwrench72
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 2
From: western washington
put a small wire under the rad cap over flow valve and put overflow hose in bottle with water if it blows bubbles it is head gasket or perforated cylinder wall, it will do it cold and maybe worse if warmed up, put the truck in gear and put a load on it.. if it bubbles more its more proof its a compression leak of some kind..if the head gasket blows it only ocationaly leaks oil into the water, not every time.
 
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2016 | 11:07 PM
  #4  
akamacgyver's Avatar
akamacgyver
Thread Starter
|
Clueless spectator!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 6
From: Denver, CO
Club FTE Silver Member

Gen, I am running coolant, and it is not a boiling problem, because it starts immediately at cold start, before the truck could ever produce that kind of heat. Speed, I don't have a relief valve radiator cap, I have decided to do a compression test before I pull it. I'll know more then.
 
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2016 | 07:39 PM
  #5  
Macrobb's Avatar
Macrobb
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 7
Going to say 95% certain it's a head gasket. That's what happened to me; I could even feel a sharp "pulsing" in the upper radiator hose at idle. Replaced the gaskets, everything's fine!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mccroskeys
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Mar 25, 2018 09:46 PM
78Fords
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
10
Feb 22, 2018 10:40 AM
genscripter
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
10
Jun 8, 2016 12:01 AM
hdtail
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Nov 27, 2011 06:55 PM
IndySilverAnny
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
10
Sep 15, 2005 01:58 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:32 PM.

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