Coolant
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New User
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Coolant
so my coolant level seemed a tad low A couple of weeks ago, so I topped It off. I’ve got about 54,xxx miles so I figured It to be in the norm. I checked It again earlier this week and it’s low again. I’ve got the dpf and stock exhaust still on the truck so I figured I wouldnt See any smoke it was burning from the coolant leak if there is one. Idk if this is true but what does anyone think it could be low from? Still under warranty I’m thinking about taking it in to get pressure tested. yay, or neigh?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
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From: Tallassee, ALabama
Yes, take it in have them pressure test the coolant system. There might be engine or some other reason for the coolant loss. Try the engine angle first since you outside the 3/36 warranty period.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,521
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From: Washington Coast
What year? How low is low? Are you staying above the low mark on the Degas Tank?
Could be it’s a cap, the springs will weaken over time. We used to carry several on the service trucks as they would start to not hold pressure after 2 or 3 years and will cause a slow slight loss. Most people don’t realize there are 2 on these rigs.
Also there have been known issues with the tanks on the radiator coming lose and starting to leak. My 2014 did at 50K so new radiator and hoses then. My 2008 had issues with the upper hose that did the radiator that time also. The new style radiators with the plastic tanks crimped to aluminum radiators just never sounded good to me. Fortunately these were all covered under warranty.
I’ve also seen water pump seals start to leak, heater cores, a number hoses.
Number 1 is pressure test the cooling system and the caps before anything else. It’s odds on gonna be pretty cheap as long as the routine maintenance has been kept up.
Could be it’s a cap, the springs will weaken over time. We used to carry several on the service trucks as they would start to not hold pressure after 2 or 3 years and will cause a slow slight loss. Most people don’t realize there are 2 on these rigs.
Also there have been known issues with the tanks on the radiator coming lose and starting to leak. My 2014 did at 50K so new radiator and hoses then. My 2008 had issues with the upper hose that did the radiator that time also. The new style radiators with the plastic tanks crimped to aluminum radiators just never sounded good to me. Fortunately these were all covered under warranty.
I’ve also seen water pump seals start to leak, heater cores, a number hoses.
Number 1 is pressure test the cooling system and the caps before anything else. It’s odds on gonna be pretty cheap as long as the routine maintenance has been kept up.
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It’s a 2016 I chnage The oil every 5,000 miles whether I need It or not. As in low I mean Barely under the low mark on the tank like where the clear meets the black but I never Realized it because I park On an incline faced down in my driveway when I check Everything weekly but for some reason something told me to check it before I was Leaving work on flat Ground.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,521
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From: Washington Coast
Ok so like you think slow leak, pressure test is step one. Should be able to get a pressure tester to use from like autozone, oriely’s or such, no need to buy but be sure and get the right adapters for the Ford trucks.
I’m still thinking it’s probably the radiator caps, you’ll need those 2 cap adapters but if you test and no leaks that pretty well says they’re the problem. Anytime I do cooling system work now I just go ahead and replace, cheap insurance.
I’m still thinking it’s probably the radiator caps, you’ll need those 2 cap adapters but if you test and no leaks that pretty well says they’re the problem. Anytime I do cooling system work now I just go ahead and replace, cheap insurance.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,370
Likes: 1,858
From: Frederick, MD
I'd take a look through the drivers side wheel well and look near the petcock for evidence of a leak. I agree, the cap is just a few bucks to replace. So look at that first for any evidence of a leak.
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