2008 F250 SD Cooling System Levels
 

Ok so this is my 3rd post since buying a great loking used 08 F250 SD Crew Cab 4x4 a couple of days ago...

18,500 miles / Very Clean / Hitch never used

Why would the cooling fluid be below the min cold level?? (almost 2" lower!!!) I dont see any leaks or signs of leaks at all.

After watching the DVD that came with the rig, I decided I would check / maintain all items. I would assume the coolant levels would be fine with only 18k miles.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

The most likely issue is a leaking radiator. There was a manufacturing defect which caused a high failure rate. It might be so small a leak that you don't see anything dripping. Get it to your dealer ASAP. There may be some extended warranty offered for that issue.

Gas or Diesel?

I assume we are talking Diesel since we are referring to the DVD.

Since it is a 2008, I would bet a couple of things.

First I had the venturi recall. They had to take the hoses off the degas bottle to do the retro fit. I would almost bet they did not add any or if they did, very little.

Secondly there is the radiator's that leak at the seams. So check down where the bottom of the radiator sits at the frame rails. Is there moisture? Is there rust. Since you are under 36/36, take it if so.

The other issue is the EGR coolers. So tell us about your tailpipes. Are they clean or are they sooted, is there moisture at the pipes? Steam while driving?

Yes - 6.4 Power Stroke Deisel

Took it by dealer as BP suggested. Tech said add premium gold and watch. Said it looked like new radiators were already installed due to added (small) valve on the top with very small hoses and missing hose wrap near the top of the radiator. I am hoping it is as you suggested and they just did not properly fill the reservoir with the new install.

I really checked for leaks - no rust, no moisture, no signs of previous leaks. Weird thing was the tech said radiators are not covered under warranty. Is that true? I cant believe.

EGR/Tailpipe - keep in mind, I just bought and they detailed it. My pipe looks good. about 2-3 inches from the outside end, you can see some blackness, but it is not built up at all only stained. I have never seen steam or smoke, even when stepping on the accelerator. I have seen the message (cleaning exhaust filter) about every other day since I bought it on August 12, but I have not really gotten it out on the freeway until yesterday for about 100 miles.

Today i put in motorcraft cetane booster (although i put about 4 oz to much) total of 8 oz to a 3/4 plus full tank.

Sorry, I thought you had bought it new and would know if the rad had been changed. The rad is covered for 36/36, at least.

The tech should have pressure tested the system in my opinion.

I would fill it with fresh 50/50 coolant like he suggested. Fill it when stone cold in the morning before you start it. At the same time, take a sharpie pen and put a dot on the degas bottle at the new fluid level. Then just watch it for the next few weeks to be sure it is not losing coolant. I like to always check mine in the morning before it has been run. Checking it hot will give you all kinds of varying levels.

Recheck that venturi T to make sure it is installed correctly. On top of the t there is writing Raditor one way, degas the other. Just make sure it is installed right.

He is wrong on the 36/36 bumper to bumper....everything down to the radio knobs is covered on the bumper to bumper. After that then it is yours to pay.

Everything is covered if it's still under the 3/36 warranty. So it's going to depend on what your "in-service" date is (when the clock started ticking on the 3/36). The radiator "could" be covered if it started leaking due to other causes. In my case (even though mine was under 3/36 still), the cause of my radiator problem was the thermostat. They replaced the entire tstat and housing with the "updated" version, and replaced the radiator. No issues since (knocking on wood!).

I know ford diesel techs the whole t thing to restrict flow to the radiator doesnt work, around here they do that, than drive it, than say it leaks and replace rad anyway, seen it dozens of times, they all leak at the seam on the lower driver side