Overheated - need some direction
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
Overheated - need some direction
My wife was returning to NC from CT this week and got stuck in traffic in the DC area. My 01 Screw 5.4 overheated and she had to pull off. I have an electric fan and the switch occassionally gets a mind of its own so I figured this was the case. However, she checked the coolant and had to put in almost a gallon. This is the second time in my ownership of the vehicle that coolant seems to have mysteriously gone missing. I have no fluid on the floor so I don't think it is the heater core. Any ideas on where to start looking? It doesn't smoke profusely and most times the fluid stays just fine. Any advice appreciated. Truck runs great and would like to keep it that way.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Check the hoses from the overflow tank and make sure there is no leak anywhere. Even a small leak. Also, your pressure cap may not be working properly and allowing it to slowly evaporate out. I would start with these.
You can also add some UV die to the coolant and after a few days, take a black light and see if you can find any leaks.
You can also add some UV die to the coolant and after a few days, take a black light and see if you can find any leaks.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,932
Likes: 181
there is a cooling water tube (aluminum) bolted from the left to the right side of the intake manifold, on its bottom, behind the alternator. you can see it under the intake. mine leaked on the passenger side--- gasket problem where it bolts to the intake manifold. leaks into the valley of motor and you dont see it easily. if it gets bad enough, it will spray on one of the first two coil packs and short out plug, then you will find it. look real close at that spot. i drained my system and used a block sealer to seal the gaseket. that was a year ago. i planned on pulling the manifold, flip over, replace the gaskets on the tube, then reinstall maniflod--- no time yet, seems to be o.k. now. i was using about 1 gallon a month.
