Coolant pressure issue
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
Coolant pressure issue
Hey I'm waiting on a pressure test kit but thought I would pick your brains in the meantime.
I have a 2006 350 I bought in June.
since then I replaced the oil cooler, dummy plugs, stand pipes, all gaskets/o rings all the way through the job plus injectors.
I then had an Intermittent coolant leak which I finally traced down to the heater hose on the passenger side where it goes into the cab and the valve the vacuum hose is hooked to. Fixed both the leaks and the very next day I have absolutely 0 coolant pressure anytime, I can't find a leak anywhere when it's running and coolant still seems to flow as I can feel it through the upper rad hose and the degass return. I sprayed soapy water all around all the hoses and degass bottle and the motor. no signs of leaks anywhere, I am not losing any coolant either, I am stumped until the kit comes in next week. Thought maybe someone here may have an idea, I've searched forums and can't seem to find the same issue I'm having.
oh and the truck runs and drives excellent hot or cold doesn't matter.
I have a 2006 350 I bought in June.
since then I replaced the oil cooler, dummy plugs, stand pipes, all gaskets/o rings all the way through the job plus injectors.
I then had an Intermittent coolant leak which I finally traced down to the heater hose on the passenger side where it goes into the cab and the valve the vacuum hose is hooked to. Fixed both the leaks and the very next day I have absolutely 0 coolant pressure anytime, I can't find a leak anywhere when it's running and coolant still seems to flow as I can feel it through the upper rad hose and the degass return. I sprayed soapy water all around all the hoses and degass bottle and the motor. no signs of leaks anywhere, I am not losing any coolant either, I am stumped until the kit comes in next week. Thought maybe someone here may have an idea, I've searched forums and can't seem to find the same issue I'm having.
oh and the truck runs and drives excellent hot or cold doesn't matter.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
yeas that's right, I hooked a gauge to the return line on the degass and can't get it to move at all.abut have coolant flow out when running the truck and the return line off the bottle.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Seems to me if it were leaking below the coolant level it would have to be using coolant and likely leaving a puddle so if it’s not doing that it would have to be the expansion tank and also be on the top, above the coolant level.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2021
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not yet, I ordered a testing kit and I will be here next week, was just looking for ideas while I wait.
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Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
I did spray everything with soap and water hoping to see some bubbles somewhere but nada hopefully a pressure test makes it poke its ugly head.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
I squeeze the hose and can't tell if there is air coming from.cap or degass bottle. Don't hear air, I do have another cap maybe I will throw it in before I head to work. I'm just heading to bed now.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
I dont have a regulator on my compressor at the moment, it failed and haven't bought a new one yet so it pumps put 120 regularly.
I live in a very small town so I usually have to order stuff or travel an hour or so to the next town.
How do I go about vacuum testing?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,919
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Yes - too much pressure can cause damage. If the degas bottle is old, it can be brittle. There is a "y" that is molded into the hoses under the degas bottle. It can split. Even the radiator tank seams can rupture. The cap is supposed to relieve pressure at about 16 psig, but it probably couldn't relieve a very high volumetric rate of air.
So yeah - probably shouldn't add air without a way of controlling it. An easy way would be to add a Schrader valve to one of those hoses, and add air like you do to your tires. Use a stick gauge (in the proper range) to get in what you need (and not too much). Just like air pressure in your tires - you need an accurate tire pressure gauge.
If you don't have a vacuum pump or a "venturi" type system for pulling vacuum, then it would probably be cheaper to pressure test.
So yeah - probably shouldn't add air without a way of controlling it. An easy way would be to add a Schrader valve to one of those hoses, and add air like you do to your tires. Use a stick gauge (in the proper range) to get in what you need (and not too much). Just like air pressure in your tires - you need an accurate tire pressure gauge.
If you don't have a vacuum pump or a "venturi" type system for pulling vacuum, then it would probably be cheaper to pressure test.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
**update** I found the leak with the pressure tester, it was coming from the coolant filter setup. Closed the valves, took the filter off and put it back on bot leaking any more.
on the flip side, even with just 1 or 2 psI no matter how tightly sealed the tester cap seems to leak around the threads, should I swap out the degass bottle?
on the flip side, even with just 1 or 2 psI no matter how tightly sealed the tester cap seems to leak around the threads, should I swap out the degass bottle?
