Notices
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel Engine fitted to 2008 - 2010 F250, F350 and F450 pickup trucks and F350 + Cab Chassis

Low coolant

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 18, 2010 | 01:49 AM
  #1  
Industrial_dude's Avatar
Industrial_dude
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Valencia, CA
Low coolant

I just bought a used 08 f250 6.4 the truck seriously feels like I just bought a new truck... The last owner took very good care of this vehicle. There is lots of power feels as good or better then my 6.0 that I bought new back in 04 but had head gasket problems. So where I'm trying to go with this... The 6.4 has 98,500 miles on it and took possesion with coolant being very low, I popped the hood and there was a hiss coming from the radiator (sales guy drove it 60miles to bring it to me) then I popped the coolant cap open and there was a bit of depressurization. Then the smell brought back bad memories from when I blew the head gasket on my 6.0. The dealer I bought it from in Irvine California gave me 1 month/2,000 mile warranty on the truck. What should I do or expect from the truck?
 
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2010 | 05:33 AM
  #2  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,383
Likes: 1,867
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
Take it back and get the radiator fixed. Ensure that the ventri recall was completed on the truck.

Recalls can be checked using your vin.Recall Information - Ford

It is time for a coolant flush so that might as well be done, use the Ford or Napa Gold coolant, ensure it is the right spec according to ford.

It is typical for a small leak at the seams on these trucks, but a hiss sounds like a puncture in the radiator.
 
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2010 | 07:01 AM
  #3  
capt caper's Avatar
capt caper
Fleet Mechanic
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 188
Low coolant on these engines is from the radiator leaking because of no venturi valve,hyper thermostats,bad egr coolers,bad water pump. Mine did all of these. One caused the other to fault to the point the coolant was pukeing out the degas bottle because the pump was ruined.
Have a good dealer check all of these. The coolant should stay between the marks on the degas bottle at all times.
 
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2010 | 11:18 AM
  #4  
Industrial_dude's Avatar
Industrial_dude
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Valencia, CA
Thanks guys very good info I'm glad it's probably a radiator issue I was worried it might be a blown HG. I'm bringing it back to them Monday for repairs. This truck feels really strong for being stock.
 
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2010 | 12:32 PM
  #5  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,383
Likes: 1,867
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
unless you have coolant out your exhaust then I would not suspect a HG or EGR.
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2010 | 12:25 PM
  #6  
Industrial_dude's Avatar
Industrial_dude
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Valencia, CA
Well since the truck is scheduled to go back to the dealer on Tuesday I haven't really messed with the truck other then I went and bought a gallon of coolant put it in the bottle and still can't see a sign of coolant must be really low, a little worriesome.
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2010 | 12:46 PM
  #7  
capt caper's Avatar
capt caper
Fleet Mechanic
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 188
like I said in my above post about the long run damageing effect of low coolant watch to make sure after the dealer does things that the coolant stays within the marks on the degas bottle. If it doesn't then you still have problems. The low coolant levels you have will cause damage to the system.
I never had signs of overheating but loss coolant which led to water pump,egr, damage eventually.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2010 | 08:35 PM
  #8  
Industrial_dude's Avatar
Industrial_dude
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Valencia, CA
Originally Posted by capt caper
like I said in my above post about the long run damageing effect of low coolant watch to make sure after the dealer does things that the coolant stays within the marks on the degas bottle. If it doesn't then you still have problems. The low coolant levels you have will cause damage to the system.
I never had signs of overheating but loss coolant which led to water pump,egr, damage eventually.
Thanks for the help Captain Caper. After owning a heavily modded 6.0 I learned a lot about what to look out for. Actually it was the first thing I looked at when I saw the truck and since they are going to fix it under warranty its all good. Definitly after I get it back if it drops an 1" its going to be noticed right away and going back till it gets fixed. The salesperson who sold it to me bragged about how perfect this truck is for having that many miles and how "good" it runs which it does and looks like a new truck but he knows he has to fix that leak or he let me down. I have an appointment tomorrow at 8am. OH!! I forgot to mention. So far ive put 3 gallons of coolant in the degas bottle. Its definitly the radiator. Ill make sure they change that an check the water pump egr coolers thermostats and head gaskets while they are in there.

VIN#1FTSW21R38EB81741 If anyone has access to vin# any info is appreciated thanks.






 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-1

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-8

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 21, 2010 | 08:38 PM
  #9  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,383
Likes: 1,867
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
nice truck, but that is by far the worse leak I have ever seen for a radiator.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2010 | 08:44 PM
  #10  
Industrial_dude's Avatar
Industrial_dude
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Valencia, CA
Here's a pic of what ill be towing
30ft twin motor Eliminator
28ft TPD tripple axle Hauler





 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2010 | 08:51 PM
  #11  
Industrial_dude's Avatar
Industrial_dude
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Valencia, CA
Originally Posted by senix
nice truck, but that is by far the worse leak I have ever seen for a radiator.
I agree and its very Obvious that the previous owner new about the problem and possibly the dealership but I aint paying to fix it thats for sure and ill give them a chance b4 ***** gets ugly. I mean I bought the vehicle to tow and in this condition I cant even drive it. Theres no way a dealership could sell certified used vehicles in this condition.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2010 | 08:51 PM
  #12  
ford-speed's Avatar
ford-speed
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
ohh goodluck to you dude!
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2010 | 08:53 PM
  #13  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,383
Likes: 1,867
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
make darn sure they put ford gold coolant in it. Not that 50/50 stuff.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2010 | 08:58 PM
  #14  
ford-speed's Avatar
ford-speed
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
your car might have a leak, or it could be on ur radiator or the thermosthat is sealed, this happens with time it gets stuck and doesn't open any more, so no water circulates throughout the engine and that causes overheating.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2010 | 09:09 PM
  #15  
kane gray's Avatar
kane gray
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Is your truck a Job 1,2, or 3?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:32 PM.

story-0
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-5
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-7
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE