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**Jkwilson** · 08-16-2022, 01:27 PM

It’s not impossible that it took some circulating to get the coolant to displace all of the air, but I’d have though the dealer would have run it enough to clear up most of it.

Sounds like a major pain.

**Cate&Rob** · 08-16-2022, 03:46 PM

Hi Tom,

Since you have (finally) gotten through a day without needing to add coolant, it would seem that the leaks are fixed and the air is purged. Obviously you will continue to check reservoir level daily . . . and under the truck for any puddles . . . but, I think you are “good to go”. I hope things go well!

Rob

**TNFSolitude** · 08-16-2022, 04:20 PM

Thanks for your input and optimism. I'll have errands again tmrw and will know more then. Stay tuned.

**Guest** · 08-16-2022, 04:59 PM

Originally posted by TNFSolitude View Post

Unfortunately on our last vacation to the Eastern Shore are of Virginia I had a cracked water pump and lost my coolant. The problem was further complicated by contaminated fuel, self induced DEF into the fuel tank. The truck was towed to a Ford dealer and was repaired, although not 100%. Every stop on the way home I was adding coolant to the reservoir. Mechanic stated that would happen for awhile as the coolant made its way through the system. I suspected BS, but I'm not an engine mechanic. I eventually added 2.5 gal before we made it home. Otherwise we made it home NP, while adding coolant, and the engine ran fine. I got my typical 10.9 mpg for the trip.
My second day home, after running typical local errands, I had a massive coolant leak on the driveway from the rear of the engine area. I topped off the reservoir and drove it to my local Ford dealer here. Tech found a turbo hose leak and a sheared off bolt. All was repaired. Drove it for 2 days, alternating between AC and heater, opening the hood at home after each errand. 2nd day again found coolant level low although nothing on the driveway. Added 3/4 gal to bring the level to the top of safe level line.
Drove it again yesterday, alternating between AC and heat. Opened the hood and the coolant level is exactly where it was when I topped it off.
Question: Is my problem leak resolved because indeed the coolant needed to move throughout the system?
Is there a maintenance recheck I should do or have done by the dealership?
I will continue to monitor the reservoir after any errands I drive for at least a week. I have a short camping trip this coming weekend, will be home for 4 days, then heading to the Rally and another 2 weeks heading south after that. I do not want to again have to put my truck into the shop while on the road.
Thanks for any input from the motorheads here.
TomF

Tom,

The proper method for your Ford is to pull a vacuum on the system. This method would eliminate all air pockets in the system.
Your tech should have filled in this fashion so you would not have to be doing multiple fills. Now for the massive leak afterwards? Most likely you overfilled the expansion tank at the left rear. This tank most likely has a HOT and COLD fill line where in your case, this would be hard to managed since air was bleeding off at different drive cycles. And once full, the system could have been overfilled and purged.
It looks like it will settle in as your tech told you but he did not fill per the proper procedure with the proper equipment.

Continue to drive (monitor temperature) and do not do additional fills until the engine is cold. Then fill the expansion tank to the cold fill line.

Jim

**Jlawles2** · 08-16-2022, 05:55 PM

Even pulling the vacuum and then filling the system can result in micro pockets of air. Sounds like your leaking hose and missing bolt were the issue. I know when driving with a leak can result in the fluid not reaching the ground even after parking due to the heat and airflow under and around the engine compartment. More than likely the leak showed itself when you got home as the entire engine was not as hot and could not flash off the coolant as it ran down the side of the engine.

Glad the failure was not bad enough to cause major issues.

**Guest** · 08-17-2022, 06:56 AM

Sorry Joseph but pulling a vacuum to properly fill the system would not have resulted in having to add 2.5 gallons of fluid. Procedures are there to be followed and this fellow did not based on his comments. Had the cooling hose leaked on the way home, it would not have been missed. However with all leaks corrected, that is a good thing.

Most modern engines must have a vacuum pulled on the system to properly fill. Some also have a bleed screw high on the system to aid in purging the system. Some are reverse flow as well and must have a vacuum pulled on the system.

Jim

**Scott'n'Wendy** · 08-17-2022, 08:58 AM

2.5 gallons would not have to be added even with a backyard mechanic like me just filling the rad till the burps stop. Ya, you add some the next day but maybe a litre or two. Not 2.5 gallons! (10 litres)
It was leaking somewhere. But from the sounds of it, it has now been resolved.

**TNFSolitude** · 08-17-2022, 10:16 AM

Yes, I believe the issue may finally be resolved. I ran a couple errands already today, probably a grand total of 30 miles or so and after parking (on an uneven driveway) I popped the hood and lo and behold the reservoir is slightly higher than the top cool line. I have two camping trips coming up, a weekender of about 25 miles round trip and then our three weeker starting with the Rally and heading south to Missouri before coming home.
Again thanks for all your input.
TomF

**Jlawles2** · 08-17-2022, 03:27 PM

Guest Jim, Agree that the system should not have needed 2.5 gallons if vacuum filled. I do believe that there was another leak as found later that was the issue with having to add coolant.

Notes on things I have seen:

I have personally seen bypass lines not leak when initially filled but after several heat cycles, they start leaking. I have also had issues with lines not leaking when under Vacuum or under full operating pressure and temperature, but at some intermediate pressure and temperature they leak small amounts (these are difficult to find).

I have also had a leak where it would not reach the ground on long distance drives due to the heat generated by the engine below the leak, but on short drives it clearly finds it's way to the ground.

**Guest** · 08-17-2022, 06:12 PM

Originally posted by Scott'n'Wendy View Post

2.5 gallons would not have to be added even with a backyard mechanic like me just filling the rad till the burps stop. Ya, you add some the next day but maybe a litre or two. Not 2.5 gallons! (10 litres)
It was leaking somewhere. But from the sounds of it, it has now been resolved.

Scott,

Ford has two reservoirs in addition to the radiator and heater core and must be vacuum filled to avoid trapped air. The system requires 7.5 gallons.

Looks like you guys have the mystery completely solved.

Yes its nice the OP is back on the road and confident in the truck.

Jim

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