What would you fellas suggest for an attack method on this new project of mine? It's a 2003 F-250. Using quite a bit of coolant. No visible leaks, oil on the dipstick looks normal, and no pressure or bubbling in the overflow tank. Also, very little to no steam out the pipe. I will be bringing it home tomorrow and will tear into to it. Just thought I would see if anyone has a proper method of confirming bad head gaskets. Thanks!

 

A leak down test thru the cooling system, or a compression test.

 

I found a friend that has a coolant pressure tester. He also has a boroscope camera. I am going to pull the plugs and see if coolant is going into the cylinders. I would think one could visually see coolant pooling. Then crank over to blow the water out. We shall see! I'm pretty excited to get it home and give it the once over!

 

Hopefully it's something as simple as a bad heater core leaking into the floor board.

 

Also these trucks have a fail safe when they start to overheat they shut down. Also focus on the passenger side first.

 

Well, it ended up being a blown head gasket. I found a low mileage used engine I am going to swap in for the mean time. I'll tear this one down, freshen up and resell. Any recommendations on parts to replace on the used engine going in? I plan on plugs water pump, tstat, all filters, intakes gaskets and the exhaust manifolds. I was contemplating changing the rear main seal while it's out and oil pan gasket but I'm unsure at this point.