Coolant, where did it go?
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Freshman User
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Coolant, where did it go?
A couple months ago I noticed that the heater wasn't blowing warm air so I check the coolant and the resivior was empty. I placed a 50/50 mix in and went on my way. A couple months later it was blowing cold air and I checked the coolant again and did the same thing. I did check the oil for any signs of coolant mixure, none visable. So I added more coolant. Just check the coolant resivior today and it was low again. The temp doesn't move much. Other than it taking a very long time to warm up is the only thing I can see wrong with this problem, is this a common thing?. I did have a f-150 with the 5.4L and it never took this long to warm up. It was used when I bought it and it is an explorer 03 V8 XLT with 92K mile on it. I haven't seen any leaks and have crawed under the vehicle and everything look realy clean with no problems. Any kind of direction I can look to correct this missing coolant.
Thanks for any advice
Cody
Thanks for any advice
Cody
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
you might have a small pin hole in teh head casting or head gasket. That allows antifreeze to leak into the combustion chamber and be burnt off... Some that have this problem will leak a spoonfull of antifreeze into the chamber when it sets overnight. When you startup the next morning the truck will stumble and run rough for 30 seconds untill the antifreeze is purged from teh combustion chamber. If you have no water in the oil or on the ground, that is a good thing.... Personally i would try a gasket sealer as a quick fix and see what happens.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
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reference to bars leak at the bottom of this post..
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...lant-blow.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...lant-blow.html
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,263
Likes: 92
From: BC Canada
Have had extremely good results with this product, I normally stay clear of fixes in a bottle.
Head Gaskets Repair : Blown Head Gasket : Head Gasket Replacement : Cylinder Head Gasket : SteelSeal.com
Head Gaskets Repair : Blown Head Gasket : Head Gasket Replacement : Cylinder Head Gasket : SteelSeal.com
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 45
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From: chana,il
i would check to see if it smokes in the morning when you start it . if there is antifreeze in the cylinder from a seeping head gasket it will smoke for a short time when started.. i would stay away from fixes in a bottle. they have apossibility to plug the radiator or heater core .just my opinion!good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 251
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From: Ft. Worth, Tx
I was able to find my leak of years with the help of a mechanic friend. He recommended using die in the coolant for a week and examine the 6 Cyl, 1993 Explorer’s engine, 112,000 miles with a Black Light. It worked after knowing I was loosing about a quart of coolant per year for about 3 years (with a hot coolant smell and a few dorps under the radiator area “at times in the garage”.
1. I checked 2 water pump’s weep holes, hoses, radiator‘s Trans lines and etc. w/o good signs.
2. He felt heat could be evaporating coolant at the source and it was, “at the plastic radiator’s core”.
3. The die showed a distinct mess at the radiator and it has not lost a drop since replacing the radiator.
Good Luck!
JOW
1. I checked 2 water pump’s weep holes, hoses, radiator‘s Trans lines and etc. w/o good signs.
2. He felt heat could be evaporating coolant at the source and it was, “at the plastic radiator’s core”.
3. The die showed a distinct mess at the radiator and it has not lost a drop since replacing the radiator.
Good Luck!
JOW
