Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Coolant leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 11, 2019 | 09:11 PM
  #1  
Motohead911's Avatar
Motohead911
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 934
Likes: 248
From: CA
Coolant leak

A little history, I just did the head gaskets over a month and now I developed a slow coolant. I have been able to trace it down to the top seam of the radiator. I am thinking a cracked it when I was working on the top of the motor.

Any suggestions on a new one. I'm thinking I would like to go with an all aluminum one. In my searches I have come up with 4 chooses:

1 OEM (I know plastic tanks)
2. Northern Radiator
3 BPD
4 Mishimoto

 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2019 | 10:38 PM
  #2  
SmackDaddy's Avatar
SmackDaddy
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 240
From: Texas
I like my Mishimoto but many others have had great experiences with Performance Radiators aluminum.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 08:06 PM
  #3  
53jimc's Avatar
53jimc
Tuned
10 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 392
Likes: 86
From: Roebuck, SC
I had the same thing happen to me. Big ol' gut and the plastic radiator top just aren't a good mix. I bought a stock one on Amazon cheap, but it was packaged so bad it was busted when it arrived. Had to have it "right now" so went to advance auto and bought one for twice the price. It was stock also, but it worked. It's been on for a couple of years now, no problems.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 09:05 PM
  #4  
Fuzzpuss's Avatar
Fuzzpuss
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 943
From: Fort Worth, TX
It's my understanding the BPD is a Performance Radiator, only at a higher cost. Maybe the extra cost is justified if BPD can deliver it without any damage. I ordered directly from Performance and it took them three tries, and they were all damaged. They told me to toss them and gave me a refund. I kept the third one as it was the best. So I got it for free but it's racked so the top mounting brackets are cocked to the passengers side. Drives me bananas but it was free and I still don't know what else to as the plastic tanks are out of the question for me.

Here's the first one I received from Performance. That grey foam pad on the floor is the only packing material that was in the box.

The second one had significantly more packing material...


The third one was messengered from their Austin or Waco warehouse. What a waste.

Could have gotten a good black friday deal on a MIshi but I have to worry about head gaskets now.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2019 | 11:53 PM
  #5  
AL`'s Avatar
AL`
Tuned
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 258
Likes: 71
Originally Posted by Motohead911
A little history, I just did the head gaskets over a month and now I developed a slow coolant. I have been able to trace it down to the top seam of the radiator. I am thinking a cracked it when I was working on the top of the motor.

Any suggestions on a new one. I'm thinking I would like to go with an all aluminum one. In my searches I have come up with 4 chooses:

1 OEM (I know plastic tanks)
2. Northern Radiator
3 BPD
4 Mishimoto
Are you absolutely sure it is leaking at the top seam? The reason why I ask is I had a similar situation. The coolant welled up and seemed to be seeping from the top seam where the crimps are and dribbled down from there. I started looking for a replacement radiator, but upon closer inspection I finally found that it was seeping from the underneath side of the upper radiator hose connection to the radiator and then welling up and flowing along the upper radiator seam, where it then dribbled down from.

It's difficult to see it because there is little clearance between the bottom of the upper hose and the upper seam where it butts up to the radiator. I readjusted the clamp, tightened it up and no more leak. I really should look into replacing the worm screw hose clamps with the constant pressure spring hose clamps, or whatever they're called. I don't know why Ford puts them at the thermostat and degas bottle but use regular hose clamps at the radiator. I've also had occasional slow drips at the lower hose but not as badly as the upper hose was doing. The trouble with regular hose clamps is you can eventually over tighten them and ruin the hose. In fact, I did replace that upper hose, but haven't done so with the lower radiator hose.

First pic shows where leak originated. Second pic is below the truck and the last shows where the leak welled up and flowed along the upper radiator seam all the way to the far/passenger side of the radiator and then down the side. Looked just like the upper seam was doing the leaking.





 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2019 | 12:54 AM
  #6  
Hartwig's Avatar
Hartwig
Cargo Master
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1,911
From: unfortunately Germany
Club FTE Gold Member
I will try this one, its on its way to Germany

https://www.iprresearch.com/IPR-Extr...Excursion.html
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2019 | 06:39 AM
  #7  
TooManyToys.'s Avatar
TooManyToys.
Hotshot
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,834
Likes: 3,127
From: Jersey Shore
Bought a Ford one from RockAuto, shipped in fine.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2019 | 08:07 PM
  #8  
Fuzzpuss's Avatar
Fuzzpuss
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 943
From: Fort Worth, TX
Originally Posted by Hartwig
I will try this one, its on its way to Germany

https://www.iprresearch.com/IPR-Extr...Excursion.html
That looks nice. Might be worth a try as long as there aren't any cast parts on it...
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Dec 13, 2019 | 08:12 PM
  #9  
TooManyToys.'s Avatar
TooManyToys.
Hotshot
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,834
Likes: 3,127
From: Jersey Shore
Originally Posted by Fuzzpuss
That looks nice. Might be worth a try as long as there aren't any cast parts on it...
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2019 | 05:59 AM
  #10  
87crewdually's Avatar
87crewdually
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
Originally Posted by Fuzzpuss
That looks nice. Might be worth a try as long as there aren't any cast parts on it...
Lol. Not everyone will get that one.
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2019 | 08:19 AM
  #11  
Hartwig's Avatar
Hartwig
Cargo Master
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1,911
From: unfortunately Germany
Club FTE Gold Member
Why Not?
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2019 | 08:25 AM
  #12  
SmackDaddy's Avatar
SmackDaddy
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 240
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Hartwig
Why Not?
IPR had some quality issues with another product.
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2019 | 08:29 AM
  #13  
Hartwig's Avatar
Hartwig
Cargo Master
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1,911
From: unfortunately Germany
Club FTE Gold Member
The EGR delete?
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2019 | 08:35 AM
  #14  
SmackDaddy's Avatar
SmackDaddy
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 240
From: Texas
Pretty sure that’s the main one. There are other iffy parts they sell but not all of them. I have the stainless oil sump screen they make. It’s been solid.
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2019 | 08:40 AM
  #15  
Hartwig's Avatar
Hartwig
Cargo Master
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 1,911
From: unfortunately Germany
Club FTE Gold Member
never had trouble with stuff from Vince. Actually a pallet of 6.0 stuff from him is its way to me (for all the frustrated 6.0 owners :-) )

But everything I put in a motor is tested from me ;-)

















:-)
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:47 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