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2016 3.5 turbo. I have been losing coolant for a few months now but never saw any under the truck. the last week or two I have started to notice it on the driveway. I don’t know much about working on vehicles other than normal maintenance type stuff. I’m wondering if this would be something I could tackle myself? I don’t know what parts to even begin to purchase though. Any help would be appreciated.
Last edited by Scottyz86; 02-20-2023 at 05:15 PM.
Reason: Year and engine
I believe I saw a video on You Tube by the Ford tech Makuloco where he addressed this problem. I think it was coolant lines to the turbos causing the problem. Might want to check it out?
Yes, it is the turbo coolant lines. I think Dayco now makes stainless steel versions for a partial fix. I would suggest getting those. In addition, you will need (4?) new coolant line adapters that go into the turbos and heads. These each contain an oring that is now leaking.
Might as well do both sides if you do it. The other side will leak as well at some point.
Unless you are an above average self wrencher I’d avoid this project.
this. I've done quite a bit of wrenching and this is the first time I ever gave up and called the tow truck. I had replaced the fitting on the turbo that comes from the front of the engine block, then it leaked from the engine side. Pulled the turbo, put it all back together, now it was leaking from behind the driver side head. I never could get that fitting out and sent it away. If I had to do it again I'd consider it but Id START by pulling the intake and getting those head fittings loose, if they dont come out I'd send it away.
Maybe if I had taken the intake off I could have gotten that fitting out of the back of the head but I was just done at that point.
Dont attempt this repair, or you will be in for one large headache. It is a tedious repair to do, that requires quite a bit of patience. The repair is not cheap either, so be prepared for the cost in the thousands. From the way that turbo looks, most are going to want to replace it, with the coolant lines and connectors. The oil lines are typically okay, just needing new gaskets.
Dont attempt this repair, or you will be in for one large headache. It is a tedious repair to do, that requires quite a bit of patience. The repair is not cheap either, so be prepared for the cost in the thousands. From the way that turbo looks, most are going to want to replace it, with the coolant lines and connectors. The oil lines are typically okay, just needing new gaskets.
I wouldnt be comfortable with a shop that wants to replace a turbo by the looks of the outside of a housing.
I had mine done about 2 years ago it was around 2300 bucks out the door. Local shop charged just slightly less than the dealer but they also do a 2 year 24k mile warranty vs dealer ship 1 year/ 12k.
Honestly, when I need to do this repair, I will probably replace the manifolds and the turbos (along with all associated hardware) at the same time. I agree that I would not want to do this repair often.
I'll see if I can dig up the invoice from the mechanic that did my 2016 3.5. I want to say it was in the $600ish range. Mechanic (not ford) was able to replace the coolant line fittings on the driver side without removing the turbo somehow.
This is pretty common though if you search around the forum. After reading a few of the threads on this, I decided I didn't have the time/patience to tackle this one and I normally do most of my own work.
02-20-2023, 05:08 PM
2016 3.5 turbo Coolant leak
