Shocker: Radiator Leaking (on a V8)

[BootyDo]

Hi All,

I've been experiencing the "superfan" symptom lately and noticed my radiator reservoir slowing depleting. Knock on wood, my truck hasn't overheated and if I restart the truck after the fan does its impersonation of a jet fighter, the sound goes away. Yesterday I took it to a Ford dealer for an oil change and, without me mentioning anything, told me I have a radiator leak. $1300. Ouch. Just ouch...

I've read the TSB on this and it seems the V6s are more prone. But some posts mention the V8, (it's a 2006 btw). I think my course of action is to apparently get the radiator fixed from a "Spectra" or something and use a different, lower pressured radiator cap. Then get the PCM flashed. Or something.

Could anyone please guide me if that sounds right or if there might be something else I'm missing - like the thermostat housing, etc? I plan on getting the radiator replaced by a local mechanic, but I guess I still have to bow to the Ford Dealer for the flashing...unless there's an alternative for that?

 

[Flag Gibby]

It sounds to me like all you need is a new radiator with a new cap and you are good to go. Just a good aftermarket radiator with a lifetime warrantee should be all that you need and I would stick with the factory specs on the radiator cap since you didn't have any issues until now. I would also have the shop flush the system before putting the new radiator in to clean out the heater core and any other buildup there might be after 7 years of use. Also, replace the thermostat if it has never been replaced since it only adds about $20.00 to the overall expense of the project and is easier to do when you have the cooling system apart already.

 

[BootyDo]

Thanks for the reply FG! I've been reading a lot of stuff and it seems my radiator issue may not be the same as the one in the V6 Explorers from '06. I hope anyway. That being said, I can't find the actual leak, but it's continuing, (and almost seems worse after having it to the Ford dealer).

My father picked up a bottle of Bar's Leaks Aluminum Cooling System Stop Leak. I've been hesitant to throw it in, but it seems like I could just throw it in the reservoir, (instead of the actual radiator if I understand correctly):

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Think this is worth a shot until I can come up with the funds for a new radiator install? $1,300 just hurts

 

[polizi212]

Sorry that your having a radiator issue. Where are you seeing the leak at? I had to replace my Radiator just last month. While you may not think you are having the same issue as us with the 6 cylinder you are because your truck has the same radiator! My radiator was leaking at the bottom of the radiator where the lower tank is connected to the core! it was a minor trickle until I went and pushed on it then it became a full fledged leak.

Are you planning to replace this yourself?

 

[Flag Gibby]

An old trick that we use at the demolition derbies is to put about 1/4 cup of yellow mustard directly in the radiator and get the engine hot (run it for about 10 minutes). Let the vehicle cool down and the leak will be plugged. On really large leaks it may take more than one application. I know, sounds weird, but it works.
If you do the repair yourself the total cost will be less than $500.00 since the radiator will only cost you $250 at the most (average price for a good radiator right now is about $170). Not sure why the dealer quoted you $1300 when a typical cost at a regular shop would be around $500 installed.

 

[Explorer_PL]

How many miles ?

Mine went bad at about 150k miles. Got one on line for $ 190. Took me something like 3 hours to do it, but 10k miles later all is good. The reservoir level stays the same.

 

[banditxp]

Yup mines been leaking for over 35K miles. I flushed it when i first got the truck and went hey..... its leaking. im like great. so i put in this and it has worked great. Its slow weeping still but iv made it 35K more miles with out replacing it lol. just waiting to have the money to fix it. and time.

Prestone® Super Radiator Stop Leak
http://prestone.com/enca/products/print/430?popup=1

 

[FStephenMasek]

It was $1,600 to replace the radiator, thermostat and change the transmission fluid at Santa Margarita Ford. I would have changed it myself, but had no idea the radiator was bad, as the gauge was not indicating over heating.