Coolant question
New User
Joined: Mar 2001
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Coolant question
Recently purchased '99 F-350 4x4 P.S.D. In the coolant overflow there is approx. 3"of red liquid in a layer above the regular green colored antifreeze.Intially I assumed it was just 2 different kinds of coolant but on closer inspection the red liquid is oil like and smells a bit like Dextron??(This truck is a 6 speed manual)I'm waiting on owners manuels to come in,until then I need help on this question Thanks,Lee
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Western Colorado USA
Coolant question
If you had an automatic I would think you have a leak in the radiator between the anti-freeze and the tranny cooler. You might want to take it to Ford and see if this is a warranty issue or if someone put oil in the radiator by mistake.
Good Luck!
alanscott
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Good Luck!
alanscott
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New User
Joined: Mar 2001
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Coolant question
Thanks Allan,for the quick reply!If someone has put oil in the coolant could this have caused any harm?Could it be an additive?But additives should blend w/coolant should'nt it?I will get to a dealer but in your opinion should I be driving it?And since it is not an automatic would that rule anything out?Sorry for all the?s but I am no mechanic.P.S.great looking centerion(sp.)Lee
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Coolant question
Lee, sounds like trans oil or power steering. I would get it to your dealer before too long. Should not hurt the cooling system any more than a good flush and fill would fix but I would find out where it came from.
Good luck - let us know how it goes.
Dave
Half century old and finally got my beastie - 95 F250 PSD 149,000 and just getting warmed up.
Good luck - let us know how it goes.
Dave
Half century old and finally got my beastie - 95 F250 PSD 149,000 and just getting warmed up.
New User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8
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Coolant question
Looks like the power steering fluid could be the culprit here,level was low.Could Alen or Dave or anyone else give an explanation so I have an idea when I get to the dealer?Hopefully this is a fairly inexspensive fix-went low on the $$ buying this truck.But I am very pleased to be in a Ford again after 9 years in another make truck.Previous to that I owned a 89 F-250&F350 and had great luck with them and should have never switched.So again any more input would be terrific!Thanks guys,Lee
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Western Colorado USA
Coolant question
I can't think of any legitimate way for that to happen other than somebody goofed. Could your truck have been a repo and the previous owner tampered with it? I hope it is something simple.
Good luck!
alanscott
[link:ford-trucks.com/users/alanscott/|http://www.ford-trucks.net/users/alanscott/clubftesml.jpg]...Click!
Good luck!
alanscott
[link:ford-trucks.com/users/alanscott/|http://www.ford-trucks.net/users/alanscott/clubftesml.jpg]...Click!
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New User
Joined: Mar 2001
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Coolant question
Did some homework and yes,Allen,you are right thi truck is a repo.I know Dave mentioned a good flush&fill would take care of things but what if it has been driven for some time like that?I've driven it approx.650 mi. myself and who knows before that.Hope to have better news to report later this a.m.But again any more comments would be appreciated.Already miss this truck,especially because the loner car is a Dodge"spirit",Not a bad car,just does'nt feel right being a logger.Or safe for that matter.So still hoping this is minor.Have you heard of people tampering on purpose when they know it's close to repo time?Thanks,Lee
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Western Colorado USA
Coolant question
There was an article in the local paper awhile back about somebody who had loosened the u-joints on a car about to be repo'd. The new owner had a accident when the drive shaft dropped down and the guy was convicted and spent time in jail for it. You might want to change all the fluids in it, power steering, gear boxes, differentials etc. just for piece of mind. I went synthetic in mine after I bought it for under $200, but that also included 16 qts. for the automatic, and I use Rotella in engine. You should also check the underside front to back for anything suspicious, it's a shame what some people will stoop to anymore.
alanscott
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alanscott
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New User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8
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Coolant question
Thanks for the advice Alan,I would'nt have thought about differental oil,etc.(truck has only 37000 mi)but I would sleep better knowing that had been changed.I'll keep you posted on any further developments.One more unrelated question:any info on 5" exhausts?(it's not just the tailpipe,either)is this factory?Thanks again,Lee
New User
Joined: Mar 2001
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Coolant question
The dealer(not a ford dealer)just called to say the problem is a bad transmission cooler.Is all they need to do is repace cooler&flush system?Is'nt the cooler seperate and if so how could the oil get in the radiator?Thanks,Lee
New User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8
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Coolant question
Got my truck back around 3p.m.The garage repaced the cooler with a new one which they put in front of the radiator.Does this sound o.k.?And what about the one they replaced on the side of the engine?Is that is where the original would be?Is it just a check plug for the manual transmission?There was still a small amount of fluid barely on the top,they told me it was just residual.As usual any more advice,etc.would be appreciated,thank you,Lee
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