Coolant loss

[Joseph Tilghman]

I have read a number of threads concerning cooland loss pointing towards the thermostat housing.

I am loosing cooland but cannot not see any leaks around the housing. I have replace the radiator cap. I can smell it when I stop but do not see any thing on the ground.

I am going to get it pressure tested in the morning. I did have a tank on the radiator go bad on another truck.

Any ideas??

 

[ERUSH97XLT]

Hello,

Look around the engine for signs of green sludge, most notably the heater control valve, water pump neck, water neck (you've checked this already), sides of the block, and around the lower intake gaskets.

Smelling coolant isn't good. My guess is seepage is dripping on the exhaust manifolds or pipes and evaporating, causing the odor.

Do you smell it in the exhaust?

Best case scenario is a small external leak, requiring replacement of that part (e.g., heater control valve, water pump, thermostat gasket, etc.). Worse case scenario is an internal leak due to a cracked head or head gasket.

Good luck,

ERUSH

 

[bedwards]

I have read a number of threads concerning cooland loss pointing towards the thermostat housing.

I am loosing cooland but cannot not see any leaks around the housing. I have replace the radiator cap. I can smell it when I stop but do not see any thing on the ground.

I am going to get it pressure tested in the morning. I did have a tank on the radiator go bad on another truck.

Any ideas??

look for coolant in the valley or for a trail of dried coolant underneath the front passenger side of the engine that has run down and dried from the thermostat housing.

be

 

[MidnightRebel07]

When You go in tomorrow and get it pressure tested they should have a dye that is used to detect leaks. See how much they charge to do that test or go to the local parts store, get the kit and do it yourself. Usual culprit is around the thermostat housing area though.

I've been smelling antifreeze from my wife's '97 V8 Mounty the last couple of times she's come home and I can't seem to find the leak on that, I may get the kit and do it soon. The funny thing with her's is there's no coolant loss in the system.

Time to check out the '95-01 Ex forum some more to study up on her Mounty.

 

[Joseph Tilghman]

Right now the best I can tell the odor is coming from the front passenger side near the radiator.

I took a piece of newspaper and rolled it up tight and forced it behind the thermostat housing to see if I picked up any moisture (nothing).

Is it possible for the thermostat O ring to deteriorate?

One thing I did find was some crusty green build up on the upper end of the hose that goes from the water pump up to the housing.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

That crusty green buildup is your evaporated coolant, you found your leak.

 

[Joseph Tilghman]

My question now is the problem the upper clamp or bypass hose?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Try cleaning up the area, tightening down the clamp and see if it fix's it. Or you can remove and inspect the hose to check for tears, rips, etc. check the housing that the hose goes to for cracks, etc...

 

[Joseph Tilghman]

Thanks all for your input.

 

[Joseph Tilghman]

Well I took the truck to the shop this morning to get pressure checked. They put the truck on a lift and found where coolant was dripping down.

It appears the leak was the thermostat housing. If I want to they agreed to install my new parts for the cost of labor which should be roughly 2 hrs. Still contemplating to do it myself.

 

[swshawaii]

One of the best "How To" guides ever. Good luck.

http://bengrosser.com/howto/fordthermostat/

 

[Joseph Tilghman]

Yes I found this not long after I signed up for the site, Kind of had an idea one day I would be doing this.

Thanks again

 

[dinks07]

do it yourself its really easy if you have the tools. I did mine in about 45 minutes just make sure you bleed the coolant system so there are no air pockets a no spill funnel works really good

 

[Joseph Tilghman]

Hey Newport News, I lived in Norfolk for 42 years before moving to Charlotte.

Yes I have decided to do it myself I have the tools just need to get the flex head socket, I ordered the upper and lower housing from Rock Auto this morning under $50 not bad seeing O'Riely wanted $48 for the lower housing and I would have had to pay another $10 shipping and service charge each half from Ford to ship to me.

 

[dinks07]

Good idea on fixing it yourself and I would love to move from here getting way to crowded let us know how th install goes and good luck