radiator overflow

[lockman]

well here is the issue my over flow is consently going low like right now there is almost no fluid in there but yesterday I checked the radiator and it is still full makes me wonder if the tank has some sort of leak and that's why it's going empty but the radiator seams to stay full I'll check it again later to see if it goes down. so my question is should I be concerned about the overflow tank as I've taken it in 3 times already for the samething and they can't fix it. last time they tried saying the cold air intake was causing it but the part that was near the line was all ford factory. I don't know if I should take it back again. I'm really getting tired of this issue other than that I like the truck.
don't much care for the tunes I bought for it so I leave it stock and it runs good enough.

 

[srs]

Not sure if you have the same problem I did. But I just got mine back from the dealer last week with a bad radiator in it. Only has ~14k miles and I was smelling coolant in the AC and the reservoir was running low. Never saw a drip or a leak anywhere. Took it to the dealer and they said the radiator had a leak on one of the seams, replaced it as soon as the part came in and haven't had the problem again.

 

[lockman]

thanks for the info I don't smell radiator fluid they can't find a leak anywhere the truck when it first happened hadsomething like 7000 miles on it maybe. still can't figure out why it is leaking only one time did I see a puddle under the truck at all. now no puddle but the overflow is empty everytime I was the truck haven't noticed the radiator empty though which is weird to me. I think when I get back from Fallon I'll take it in again and see if they can fix it.

 

[Fred]

If the overflow is empty, but the radiator is full, probably the tank or a lose hose on the tank...did you check the water pump? it will only leak while running...

 

[Yukon Joe]

Do you have a replacement over flow bottle with your CIA? If so, that could be suspect.

Also, the over flow bottle is pressurised theses days, meaning if there is a leak elsewhere in the system, it will draw fluid from the tank to keep the radiator full.

Could be something that leaks when only very hot or cold. Have you noticed a change with the change of the climate?

Just for *****, check the oil cap for moisture.

Yukon Joe
Buffalo Run Support Raptor
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/showthread.php?p=364119

 

[lockman]

It has the stock overflow tank on it the dealership said they did a pressure test on the system and couldn't find any leaks and it seamed like it only started leaking when I used the ac. And only found fluid the first time after that nothing under it at all. It is kind of irritating for sure.

 

[Fred]

Bad radiator cap...not tight...

Does the truck run hotter than usual?

 

[lockman]

truck runs in the middle for temp nothing out of the ordinary for that I just want it to be fixed. I was wondering if the tune could have anything to do with it I have the 5 star 87 performance tune in it I return it to stock when I take it in that is the only variable I can think of I know it shouldn't have anything to do with it at all.

 

[Fred]

truck runs in the middle for temp nothing out of the ordinary for that I just want it to be fixed. I was wondering if the tune could have anything to do with it I have the 5 star 87 performance tune in it I return it to stock when I take it in that is the only variable I can think of I know it shouldn't have anything to do with it at all.

i would not think the tune would have anything to do with the fluid loss.

 

[Yukon Joe]

The tune does not affect it at all. Sounds like the heater.

Run the truck until it gets up to operating temperature, turn the heater on, see if you smell antifreeze. Make sure ac and defrost are off.

If the cap hasn't been replaced yet, replace it.

Yukon Joe
Buffalo Run Support Raptor
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/showthread.php?p=364119