Coolant Loss
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 49
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Coolant Loss
I have a 1988 F250 and i am loosing about a pint or so of coolant every 100 miles. There is no coolant in the oil and only a puff of white smoke on the first start in the morning which goes sraight away. I have just noticed a couple of what looks loke white powder or flux on the outside of the radiator. Could i have some small holes? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Many Thanks.
Many Thanks.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Oosterwolde, Netherlands
the most efficient and fastest way is to put the cooling system under pressure. The garage or dealer use airpressure to see if there is any leak in the system, when the system is under pressure an you have any leaks you will notice it, if there is loss of pressure but no sign of fluid the leaking is proberly inside the motor.
I hope it makes any sense to you.
I hope it makes any sense to you.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
You say coolant loss, are you filling the overflow tank and monitoring it or filling the rad directly. Check the water pump weep hole under the pulley, all hose connections, inside the cab for heater core leaks on pax floor. There are a number of possible locations, put cardboard under the truck and watch for leaks. Check the tailpipe for sweet smelling exhaust.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
From: Douglas, Georgia
my truck looses coolant out of the overflow, the lid apparently isn't that tight.
I've also lost some out of the radiator cap.
I had a pinhole in the rad, which I only noticed by idling when the truck was hot. It barely fizzed out. I saw it with a mirror when I was checking around, looking for coolant leaks. JB weld fixed it... or at least held it for the last 6months+
I've also lost some out of the radiator cap.
I had a pinhole in the rad, which I only noticed by idling when the truck was hot. It barely fizzed out. I saw it with a mirror when I was checking around, looking for coolant leaks. JB weld fixed it... or at least held it for the last 6months+
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
First I would try a new 13lb cap from Ford. Then ensure the overflow hose is not plugged or sucking air or stuck onto the bottom of the overflow tank and not allowing coolant back into the rad when it cools..
If you wish to do this first .......remove the rad cap, check the level of the rad coolant is 1/2 inch below cap, start the "cold" engine and watch the fluid level. If the level rises to the point of overflowing in one minute or less you "may" have a larger problem. Did the tailpipe have a sweet smell and sticky residue.....
If you wish to do this first .......remove the rad cap, check the level of the rad coolant is 1/2 inch below cap, start the "cold" engine and watch the fluid level. If the level rises to the point of overflowing in one minute or less you "may" have a larger problem. Did the tailpipe have a sweet smell and sticky residue.....
