question about radiator fluid

[rusty813]

I just popped open my hood, my car engine has been started yet all day so its not hot. I Looked my radiator containeer in the front and notice that it we was empty.

My odometer doesnt show the car over heating either as a side, I remember seeing a small small leak, but i took it to both firestone and ford in my area, and they did one of pressure line test to see if there are any hoses link, but nothing show up and i was told that link was normal just cause i use the a/c.

Is normal if the engine is running or what?

 

[edwx]

Sounds like you might have a small leak. Just fill the container to the "full cold" level and keep an eye on it.

 

[PEAR0119]

Yeah I noticed the same thing at the beginning of the summer and I just filled it to the full cold line. Then I noticed a few months later that it was empty again. I found that it was leaking and got the rad replaced under the extended warranty. Everything seems OK now.

 

[rusty813]

thats the plastic clear container you guys are talking about right?

I just called up Ford and they said that container is suppose be empty when the engine is cold and filled up when the engine is hot which means reaches normal on odometer, going to take it for spin and get back with and update on the coolant

 

[sport97]

Like it was said above, just check it and fill it when its cold to the cold fill line, and watch from there. If the fluid hasn't been changed or any added since new it wouldn't surprise me if the rad overflow is empty. If the coolant hasn't been changed consider a radiator flush, then again a flush probably isn't needed yet if we are dealing with a newer explorer, like a 2010. Your year isn't listed.

Also would be a bad idea to check for leaks when its hot or cold. Check the parking area, and smell the engine bay after it is warm for that sweet coolant smell.

 

[rusty813]

My engine is pretty clean still like brand new has 32,000 miles on it, last time I checked for leak was when I notice there was a clear substance dripping, but it was really slow maybe one drop every 30mins to 1 hr which was 4 month ago.

I took it down to firestone and the guy realized the radiator fluid was below the cold line, so it was low and filled it up for me halfway. I put a container underneath the car hopefully in the right spot.

Thanks everyone for helping me out with this situation, i hope its what sport97 just said...keeping my fingers crossed

 

[rusty813]

write letter to ford everyone about your radiator problem, I heard if they get enough complaints they will issue a recall on it.

 

[sport97]

last time I checked for leak was when I notice there was a clear substance dripping, but it was really slow maybe one drop every 30mins to 1 hr which was 4 month ago.

Did you have a/c on when it was dripping? If so its condensation drip. The coolant wouldn't be clear. It'd be a greenish or orange color depending on what you have in there, and it would smell sweet. Leaks will most likely drip faster when the car is hot and running because it will be under pressure.

 

[vipersinu2]

plastic coolant reservoir is known to rub and cause a pin hole take it off and pressure test it


I had a small leak also, every morning I would see a small puddle under the passenger side bumper. It turned out to be a pin hole in the reservoir.

I use epoxy and have beed fine for about a year now.

 

[rusty813]

Thats what i thought as well its the plastic container, but i am no mechanic at, maybe take it down to firestone and have them do it for me, where would this whole be dripping from? like what area should i look at?

Coolant was added yesterday, and now I know for sure there is an radiator leak, i found small puddle again on the ground. I might buy the extend warranty on my vehicle. I called up ford and they told my if my car is under 36k they just need to send an inspector over to my house to qualify my car for the extend factory warranty and take it down to ford and them replace it

 

[patrick112390]

if its an 06 or 7 you need a radiator if you havent already replaced it.

 

[rusty813]

who do you recommend by the radiator from? I live in hawaii and the area I live in just has checker auto parts, napa, carquest, and other local automotive shops or should I get it from ford, except I dont want to get radiator built out of the same quality for $600 thats going to be break again? I am definitely call ford corp on this arguing my point to them about not making a recall its ridiculous that some of us here pay 38k for a vehicle thats built out of **** sorry for my language, they sure dont care about their loyal customers, i've been posting on there facebook discussion forum as well, and dont even reply.

Heres where the leak is

 

[rusty813]

I found the leak or at least I think I did, I started the engine and definitely not dripping from under the radiator area, its coming from the hose area where that container is in the picture...going to try get it pressure test monday

 

[rusty813]

I just took my car down to ford today today a pressure test on the radiator been about 3 hrs so far, when i went to pick something from the car i forgot inside, they took apart the fan and everything, the technician told me there is leak but he couldn't find the source of the coolant leak, even after doing a pressure test.

 

[mechanic62]

I just took my car down to ford today today a pressure test on the radiator been about 3 hrs so far, when i went to pick something from the car i forgot inside, they took apart the fan and everything, the technician told me there is leak but he couldn't find the source of the coolant leak, even after doing a pressure test.

I would kindly ask for second opinion with another mechanic. There surely must be signs of a leak somewhere if you are catching it in a bucket.

 

[A Wise Guy]

Maybe they should look into using some dye and a black light.

 

[rusty813]

they found the leak after 6 hrs to be exact, they said it was coming from the core of radiator my dad got me a discount since his friend is head person of the service department 800 to replace the radiator and thermostats altogether

 

[sport97]

Glad you found it and got it repaired. I don't want to know what the non discount rate is though. My gf's kia sorento needed a new rad, and my local shop did it for 340 bucks. He only charged 60 labor for the job, the rest was the rad and coolant.

 

[patrick112390]

called that one from left field? lol ive put a hundred in.....
forgot to add, hopefully that discount included the updated fan strategy, which is done via pcm reflash

 

[rusty813]

well guess what still a coolant leak coming, after ford installed the new radiator...going to complain to them and make sure they dont charge me $75 dollar just check it, since its their mistake and hopefully get a loaner vehicle at no charge as well