Disappearing Coolant
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Janesville WI
Disappearing Coolant
I have a 94 with a 351w and for some reason I seem to be losing coolant. I check it every couple of months and it always seems low. The oil is clear and there is never a drop of coolant in the garage, and the overflow is dry.
Where is it going? I had the system worked on about a year ago and had all the lines replaced. This one got me stumpfed.
Doug
Where is it going? I had the system worked on about a year ago and had all the lines replaced. This one got me stumpfed.
Doug
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 0
A very common place for Bronco's to lose coolant is from the thermostat housing. After a few years these things being made out of Aluminum tend to not seal too good.
The way to tell if it is leaking is, fill up your system with coolant then drive the truck for 10 minutes. Get out pop the hood, and look with a flashlight directly under the thermostat housing. You will see a nice little puddle of green coolant.
There reason this never shows up on the ground is becasue it drips into a little crevice on the engine block, as the engine heats up it begins to evaproate it.
If this is in fact your problem, you want to remove the thermostat housing (only 2 bolts) and inspect it for warpage or damage. If it is in good shape, pop in a NEW thermostat ($5) and a new gasket ($2). Also don;t forget to use RTV WITH the gasket.
Hope this helps.
The way to tell if it is leaking is, fill up your system with coolant then drive the truck for 10 minutes. Get out pop the hood, and look with a flashlight directly under the thermostat housing. You will see a nice little puddle of green coolant.
There reason this never shows up on the ground is becasue it drips into a little crevice on the engine block, as the engine heats up it begins to evaproate it.
If this is in fact your problem, you want to remove the thermostat housing (only 2 bolts) and inspect it for warpage or damage. If it is in good shape, pop in a NEW thermostat ($5) and a new gasket ($2). Also don;t forget to use RTV WITH the gasket.
Hope this helps.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,404
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
Another thing to check is inside the cab, on the passenger side. This is only if you smell coolant at all inside, especially when you are running the heater. Check your carpeting directly under the dash on the passenger side. all the way up to the firewall. If it feels sticky, or damp, then you may have a leaking heater core.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
It is probably coming out of the coolant recovery tank cap. Most of them seem to do this and unless you see it right after driving, before it dries, then you won't notice it, and after a few months you will be low.
I put aluminum foil under the coolant recovery tank cap to stop this.
I put aluminum foil under the coolant recovery tank cap to stop this.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
On my 86 302 it was the intake gaskets. It would usually evaporate from engine heat but if I parked it for a week or so there would be a drop or two off the bell housing. I used a radiator pressure test kit loaned from the local Auto Zone. I could see some coolant on the left top where the intake meets the head. I dried it off then pressurized the system and sure enough I could see it leaking. Not a real fun job to replace but it's nice to have no more leaks. If you do this repair I'd consider new valve cover gaskets at the same time.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa
Another spot that will develop leaks is the timing chain cover. Noticed this after I finished replacing the chain and gears and had everything buttoned up. DOH !
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
check your plugs, because a head gasket can blow inward allowing a small amount to enter and it gets burned up. this was what happend to my 88 302 that had 168k on her.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Yes, I was about to suggest that as well. Could be a head gasket.
I once had a 1974 Buick Regal that would empty the radiator every two days. I never saw a drop of coolant, or any white smoke or water from the tailpipe, and the car ran perfectly as long as I kept water in it. I used to fill it every morning.
I never did find out what the problem was, I drove it that way until a rod went and I junked it. But it had to be a bad head gasket or cracked block/head.
I once had a 1974 Buick Regal that would empty the radiator every two days. I never saw a drop of coolant, or any white smoke or water from the tailpipe, and the car ran perfectly as long as I kept water in it. I used to fill it every morning.
I never did find out what the problem was, I drove it that way until a rod went and I junked it. But it had to be a bad head gasket or cracked block/head.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,568
Likes: 33
From: Swansea SC
intake manifold leak
Seems my 92 leaks from the bell housing when the weather turns warm (sunny day 70 plus )(been sitting a while)week or so,i feel its the intake manifold (freeze plugs r in good shape)small puddle will form under the truck( bell housing) .Now if i drive it dailey, i never see a spot on the ground and itll still lose a little with in a months time. TR
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Thermostat and Water pump are always good to look at first, easy to notice without ripping anything apart.....I just noticed my thermostat housing is leaking today 
After I already flushed the system and put new upper and lower hoses on, bummer....
After I already flushed the system and put new upper and lower hoses on, bummer....
