Coolant leak.
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4wd High
Joined: Jul 2023
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Coolant leak.
I have a 1996 Ford F350 7.3, and it's been in my family for years. It has original 102,600 miles. I recently took it to my favorite shop, and they told me that my coolant had basically ate a hole through my engine block. They put some Blue Devil radiator and engine block sealer in it, and they said it could have some negative consequences. When I picked it up, it had zero leaks. I haven't driven it in a week, and now it's leaking coolant from the front of the engine. I'm not sure where or why, but has this happened to anyone else? I hate having to replace my short block that has barely even hit 100,000 miles! It seriously makes me want to throw up.
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4wd High
Joined: Jul 2023
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The oil cooler was thought to be the culprit when it was leaking before because coolant was running down the oil filter slowly. Now, it's leaking from the front of the engine. They replaced the oil cooler gasket 3 times because they thought it was leaking from there, but one of the awesome mechanics put his finger up through the cooling channel, and that's how he found the engine block hole. I'm hoping it's not going to become a never ending ghost that returns.
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4wd High
Joined: Jul 2023
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If you do find the hole, is there any way to fix it? They're saying that it's hard to find anyone to weld cast iron. I'm thinking I'm going to be putting a short block into this truck.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: North Texas
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4wd High
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Yeah, it definitely is a possibility.
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4wd High
Joined: Jul 2023
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Well, I drove it to the shop, and it wasn't leaking when I got to the shop. They're going to look at it and see if it's a cold engine leak, but I'm hoping that it isn't anything too serious. If it is serious though, it's a short block going in. It's going to kill me replacing an engine with such a little amount of miles for a 7.3l PSD.
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4wd High
Joined: Jul 2023
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Honestly, that's what I was thinking on cost. I work 60 hours a week, so I'm not going to be able to do it. It blows.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,554
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From: North Texas
Head wear is all over the place. Mine are clapped at 285k. Some so-so at lower. It is a wild guess. Absolutely no way I would install 100k heads on a fresh engine.
Will you do head studs? Automatic...do converter and shift kit while out, 100% or manual fresh SMF clutch kit. Heavy duty LPOP and HPOP while out. Stock turbo or T4? Inspection for engine harness.
It really becomes wild.
I feel bad for ya
Will you do head studs? Automatic...do converter and shift kit while out, 100% or manual fresh SMF clutch kit. Heavy duty LPOP and HPOP while out. Stock turbo or T4? Inspection for engine harness.
It really becomes wild.
I feel bad for ya
Thread Starter
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4wd High
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
Head wear is all over the place. Mine are clapped at 285k. Some so-so at lower. It is a wild guess. Absolutely no way I would install 100k heads on a fresh engine.
Will you do head studs? Automatic...do converter and shift kit while out, 100% or manual fresh SMF clutch kit. Heavy duty LPOP and HPOP while out. Stock turbo or T4? Inspection for engine harness.
It really becomes wild.
I feel bad for ya
Will you do head studs? Automatic...do converter and shift kit while out, 100% or manual fresh SMF clutch kit. Heavy duty LPOP and HPOP while out. Stock turbo or T4? Inspection for engine harness.
It really becomes wild.
I feel bad for ya