I have searched and haven't found any info on the issue I have which is random coolant leaks popping up in different spots. So here is the lengthy history of my battle with coolant. January '15 my water pump went out and I replaced it with the DieselSite international pump w/ filter, higher temp thermostat (can't remember what degree off hand) and billet housing, fixed that leak. When I replaced the pump I flushed the system and switched to CAT elc. Then it started leaking between the pump and new billet thermostat housing,I removed the housing and put a layer of permatex coolant gasket maker between the two, fixed that leak. Then the cheap parts store heater bypass valve started leaking, replaced it with a Motorcraft one, fixed that one. Next one was the degas cap had coolant coming out of it, replaced the cap and tank with new Motorcraft units, stopped the leak, next was lower radiator hose at the pump, I tightened the hose clamp and stopped that one then the small hose going into the degas tank, replaced the spring clamp with a work gear hose clamp, stopped that leak. Had the filter leak at the mating surface to the pump, I cleaned the mating surface and put a new filter on and stopped that one. My current and new one is at the hose coming from the bottom of the degas tank, it sprayed coolant on the fan and in turn all over everything I tightened the clamp which did not seem too loose, I have not driven it or run it since. I am going to try to pressure test the system this coming weekend when I get home and I am also waiting on results from an oil analysis from black stone. I also want to pick up a test from napa I read about a while back to check for combustion gasses in the coolant. I, at this point, have no idea what is causing this or if anyone has had a similar issue. Bad head gasket? Oil cooler issue? I apologize for the long post but I am at my wits end and need help, so thank you in advance. Oh, the truck is an '01 7.3 F350 CC LB dually, intake, exhaust, gauges and php hydra, the normal stuff. It just turned 130k on the odometer, no overheating shown on the idiot gauge, newest leak started after a 2 hr unloaded interstate drive, about 80* ambient temp. I have AutoE but don't know if there is anything on that program that can help me with a coolant issue. Thanks again for any help.

 

By replacing the Degas Cap You should have Your pressure in check but pressure check would confirm,also a good oil analysis would give peace of mind, most of the leaks You mentioned was from learning curve or bad luck,in Your defense these trucks can be a little more finicky than my older trucks from the 70's & 80's,ELC coolant likes to leak out of places that the old green coolant wouldn't,so You need mating surfaces next to perfect,the spring clamps are easier on hoses but sometimes don't have enough pressure to control leaks,I doubt You have Head gasket problems unless You find some evidence,sounds like You just need to chase down all the Leak points.

 

Could be just time for that stuff. My degas cap leaked also, as well as my lower hose to pump. My water pump began leaking this year so I replaced that too. The billit housings always leak and I don't like using silicone on an engine with an oil cooler so I went back to the stock, stamped housing. If you went to the 203 degree stat that may have upped the pressure a bit, exposing all your weak points. Starting last year I am trying something new, I am running the 195 all summer and the 203 in the winter.

 

There seems to be something with ELC that it likes to find small leak points. We have switched over several generators over the years to ELC and more often than not they will find a way to leak a little somewhere. The other thing with ELC and minor leaks is that it almost seems to "clot" after a little while and these leaks (we are talking drips here, no running or gushing) will eventually seem to take care of themselves....

 

Thanks for the input, it has eased my mind some. I wasn't real thrilled putting gasket maker on the housing but i tried to use the least possible so hopefully there won't be any negative side effects. I still haven't driven the truck since I tightened down the hose clamp on the latest leak. Hopefully it took care of it, this one has me a little more worried than the rest only because it looks like it sprayed out pretty good. Still waiting on results from black stone, I will post back what they say when I find out. I can't do much else right now as I am out of town for work. Hopefully it is all just due to The ELC and nothing major and I just have to keep chasing and fixing leaks as they arise. Maybe I'll do another flush and switch back to a non ELC coolant and lower temp Thermostat, but I do like not having to mess with the sca's with the elc. Anyway, thanks again, it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who's dealt with this.

 

I had a leak from under my degas bottle. Turned out to be the plastic nipple on top of the radiator was breaking off. I didn't notice it until I removed the degas bottle (the fitting is underneath).

 

Fleetcharge, 180 Thermostat, and housing ring leak fix from Strictly Diesel. It comes with an O-Ring and is a huge yet cheap improvement. I have installed three now and wouldn't do anything else.

 

Well I drove the truck to work today and in the afternoon found a nice little puddle, After a whole lot of wiping everything down it seems to be seeping out of the hose that connects to the bottom of the degas tank. I would wipe it dry and within a few seconds it would be wet again, but the bottom of the tank stayed dry. Degas tank is a motorcraft unit less than a year old and the clamp is tight. Anyone had a hose fail where it just seeps like that. I would run it on high idle with an inspection mirror but I don't think the campsite I stay at during the week would appreciate it. Also does anyone know if a ford thermostat will work in the international pump, I want to ditch the 205 international stat and go back to a 180, it stays pretty warm down here in FL, I put the 205 in back when I lived in Va.

 

205 is no good if you tow at all. Oil temps get higher than they really should. 180 helps that a great deal.

 

So I found my leak, it is at the seam in the degas tank and would leak only once heated up good and fluid level would get above that seam. New leaks only seem to appear once I have fixed one waited a week or so and then top off the coolant to between min and max cold fill. Where do you guys fill yours to cold? Maybe I have too much coolant in it and when it heats up it builds excessive pressure? I would think the cap would bleed off excessive pressure though

 

These engines seem to like it an inch or so below the cold fill line. And yes, you are right, any time the system gets above 15 psi (IIRC) the cap should bleed the pressure off.