Antifreeze disappearing???
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PMS: an obsession
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From: Kamloops
Antifreeze disappearing???
OK, my neighbor has an 01 7.3 and his antifreeze reservoir is needing to be topped up every once in a while. He has crawled around underneath and found no leaks what-so-ever, yet claims he can often smell antifreeze around the front right hand side of the truck but not the left? (or maybe vice versa? can't recall)
Anyways I recall the thread where the engine had a crack in the block and the coolant was leaking into the engine, but before I scare the crap outta my neighbor, is there any other possibilities? Or can someone post the link to that thread cause I seem to recall a lot of possibilities before the problem was diagnosed by Kris and co. Thanks
Anyways I recall the thread where the engine had a crack in the block and the coolant was leaking into the engine, but before I scare the crap outta my neighbor, is there any other possibilities? Or can someone post the link to that thread cause I seem to recall a lot of possibilities before the problem was diagnosed by Kris and co. Thanks
Not a liberal...
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From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
Post Fiend
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From: Texas
Pull the dipstick and check the oil. That should tell him to be scared or not.
How much does it leak down? Mine doesn't like to stay at the full mark. It stays about an inch below, but never falls below that. If he can smell anti-freeze and can't find a drip, I'd inspect the water pump really close. It may be weeping there, which would be a sign a new water pump is needed.
How much does it leak down? Mine doesn't like to stay at the full mark. It stays about an inch below, but never falls below that. If he can smell anti-freeze and can't find a drip, I'd inspect the water pump really close. It may be weeping there, which would be a sign a new water pump is needed.
is a BAAAD MAN
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Winston Salem NC
If he changed the waterpump lately and didn't get a new themostat housing it may be slowly leaking there. Happened to me, didn't see it leaking but could smell it and had to top it of on occasion. Pressure test showed no leak down, but finally got a billet housing from dieselsite and fixed the leak.
Post Fiend
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From: Carhenge
There's at least a few of us that have found that our coolant level will not stay at the reservoir full mark, but will maintain just below it with no further coolant loss. If I top mine off tho the full mark it will blow coolant out the cap the first time it gets run hard at temperature, but maintains a level about 2" below the marks.
Lead Driver
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
I have seen the upper radiator seep slowly enough at the thermostat housing that there would be a smell, but the coolant would evaporate and not leave a "wet" sign. I currently have an issue with the degas bottle (coolant reservoir). There is a stress crack in the front left below the seam below at the "low" level. I had replaced the degas bottle, from a Ford dealer, a couple of years ago and is now leaking again, from a crack, in the exact same place. 
This seems to be a manufacturing defect of the bottle. I won't buy another one without inspecting it closely first. Just my little rant.
This seems to be a manufacturing defect of the bottle. I won't buy another one without inspecting it closely first. Just my little rant.
Hook it, I'll pull it.
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From: Grand Lake, La.
I have seen the upper radiator seep slowly enough at the thermostat housing that there would be a smell, but the coolant would evaporate and not leave a "wet" sign. I currently have an issue with the degas bottle (coolant reservoir). There is a stress crack in the front left below the seam below at the "low" level. I had replaced the degas bottle, from a Ford dealer, a couple of years ago and is now leaking again, from a crack, in the exact same place. This seems to be a manufacturing defect of the bottle. I won't buy another one without inspecting it closely first. Just my little rant.
This seems to be a manufacturing defect of the bottle. I won't buy another one without inspecting it closely first. Just my little rant.Don't feel bad Roland. I still have that little bitty leak on my housing
. I did fix the hose leaking with a new clamp. Guess I will have to take the housing off again. That means more 
. Or maybe is why it's still leaking. 
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Post Fiend
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From: Texas
How much is a new deags bottle Roland? I've used fiberglass repair kits (cloth and 2 part resin) on the plastic tank in my tractor with good results.
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Lead Driver
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
IIRC, the degas bottle was around $60-65 w/tax. I tried epoxy and some fexible type sealants before with no luck. The bottle flexes under pressure and "patches" do not seem to hold.
Post Fiend
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From: Texas
That's why I went with the fiberglass. The glass strand mesh reinforcement helps handle the flex.
Lead Driver
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
Thanks. As long as I keep the level under the crack, I am good until I have more time to deal with it. Just a seep right now. I may also buy a new bottle if I can find one that passes my quality inspection.
Smokin
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I'll bet a dollar this is what it is. Climb up into the engine bay and take a look at the thermostat housing. I'll bet you'll see a buildup of neon green around the edges of the housing...of the original problem from the first post..that is.
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PMS: an obsession
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From: Kamloops
Thanks guys and gal. Will put these options to him and let you all know what we find. Not sure if he just loses his level in the degas bottle or if it is constantly disappearing. Will post back later today a little more specific what is happening.
