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toneumanns · 02-21-2012, 09:33 AM

I'm on a trip in West Texas and my antifreeze bottle went dry. This is a 2011 V10 with 10000 miles. It took 2 gallons of antifreeze to get the bottle to the full line. There are no coolant leaks. The oil is clear with no water evidence. There is no white smoke coming out the exhaust. I'm leaning towards a head gasket problem which may only happen under heavy loads. I would appreciate any thoughts.

Hikerdogs · 02-21-2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toneumanns

I'm on a trip in West Texas and my antifreeze bottle went dry. This is a 2011 V10 with 10000 miles. It took 2 gallons of antifreeze to get the bottle to the full line. There are no coolant leaks. The oil is clear with no water evidence. There is no white smoke coming out the exhaust. I'm leaning towards a head gasket problem which may only happen under heavy loads. I would appreciate any thoughts.

The most likely culprit is the lower radiator hose. Check for stains of dried antifreeze/water around the lower hose connection to the radiator. For several years Ford used spring loaded clamps rather than screw clamps. They have a tendency to leak over time when the engine is hot and the radiator is under pressure. Once everything cools off there are usually no obvious drips or puddles under the vehicle.

If you find a leak check all the clamps on all the hoses including the heater hoses to the Motoraid heater and the under floor coach heater.

toneumanns · 02-21-2012, 04:54 PM

All the clamps are tight. No antifreeze residue. Will drive 300 miles tomorrow & recheck.

RinkersRanch · 02-21-2012, 05:15 PM

Radiator cap. Often neglected. The bottom seal may still hold pressure but the top seal leak can leak coolant, and is usually undetected. It is a yearly maintenance item often missed. The main symptom is low coolant reservoir level.

Dwight · 02-22-2012, 01:42 AM

Start the engine first thing in the morning and let it idle and watch closely under the engine and radiator for leaks that can occur as the cold cooling system pressure slowly builds as the engine temperature slowly increases to operating temperature.

You can check the radiator coolant recovery jug for the proper cold level of coolant before you start the engine and again immediately when you stop driving it should be higher up in the jug and by the next morning it should again be at the lower level. If this action of the coolant is correct, the radiator cap should be operating properly.

toneumanns · 03-03-2012, 09:20 PM

Well the leak finally showed its nasty head. It is coming from the hot water heat exchanger. Decided to bypass the engine heat portion of the hot water heater, which wasn't very efficient, and eliminate the leak.

John Hilley · 03-03-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toneumanns

Well the leak finally showed its nasty head. It is coming from the hot water heat exchanger. Decided to bypass the engine heat portion of the hot water heater, which wasn't very efficient, and eliminate the leak.

My Motoraid heat exchanger on the water heater is very efficient. I would have it fixed under warranty. That engine coolant also feeds the motoraid heater that heats the motor home while driving.

Arch Hoagland · 03-04-2012, 01:03 AM

"It is coming from the hot water heat exchanger"

What's that? I'm assuming it's some way of heating the hot water you use in the RV and not something engine related?

Hikerdogs · 03-04-2012, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toneumanns

Well the leak finally showed its nasty head. It is coming from the hot water heat exchanger. Decided to bypass the engine heat portion of the hot water heater, which wasn't very efficient, and eliminate the leak.

While that might be a good short term fix I would repair it for the lomg run. The motoraid portion of the water heater is also used to help cool the engine. You probably won't notice the difference until you have a long hard uphill pull towing something or drive for a few hours in 90*+ heat..

If it hasn't been very efficient I would bet there is an air lock in the system. Ours heats the water to the point that the gas or electric portion of the heater won't come on for several hours after we're set up for the evening.