Leaking coolant
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 34
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Leaking coolant
I have a 1996 f150 300/6
Just the past week it has gotten pretty cold like -15 to -20 and I noticed that my truck was leaking a little bit of coolant not shure were it is coming from. My truck has never leaked coolant in the summer so just wondering if the cold can cause a leak anywhere ?
Just the past week it has gotten pretty cold like -15 to -20 and I noticed that my truck was leaking a little bit of coolant not shure were it is coming from. My truck has never leaked coolant in the summer so just wondering if the cold can cause a leak anywhere ?
Cycle For Fun and Health
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,026
Likes: 499
From: Toledo
Yes, mainly if your anti-freeze is not up to snuff and protecting to the - temperatures. You need to check it to determine what temperature it is protecting to. If not low enough, it will freeze and break something.
Do this right away and then look to determine where the leak is. Hopefully just something minor.
Do this right away and then look to determine where the leak is. Hopefully just something minor.
Drive like you stole it
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 884
Likes: 70
From: Where the snow/salt is
Also, things shrink when it is cold. You probably have a bad gasket somewhere. My 351 water pump leaked very minor and only while running in hot weather, now when it gets cold the gasket leaks staticky. So I'm probably gonna change it soon.
mattbarron94
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 736
Likes: 30
From: Little Elm, Texas
Ive been running with a half full radiator for the past month or so. Literally don't have even $10 to spare on more fluid. I figure since my thermostat is stuck open I should have no problem with overheating. And I haven't yet. I can't seem to find a Leak anywhere... so no clue where the coolant is going...
OHHH wait I remember. My dumbass girlfriend opened the radiator while the truck was running. Spewed coolant everywhere... I swear that woman is going to be the death of me...
OHHH wait I remember. My dumbass girlfriend opened the radiator while the truck was running. Spewed coolant everywhere... I swear that woman is going to be the death of me...
Last edited by mattbarron94; Nov 21, 2013 at 11:24 PM.
Austinn54
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 212
Likes: 5
From: Cleveland, TN
Go to autozone and buy a leak detection kit(can also buy it online) I believe it is only like 20 dollars. Its like the oil leak detection kit. you pour the dye in and drive normally. then, you get the glasses(I don't use them) and take the bright light and shine it around where you think the leak may be at and it should light up where the leak is occurring. then, just fix leak. lol
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 116
From: Long Beach, CA
Easiest way is to borrow a pressure tester from Autozone. Attach it to the radiator and pressurize the system. Most of the time the leak will squirt. If not then its not worth fixing. Remember there is a small weep hole in the water pump. A little bit of fluid from it is normal.