1997 F150 Losing Coolant & Oil - Help!
09-13-2014, 03:41 PM
#1
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1997 F150 Losing Coolant & Oil - Help!
Hi!
Hubby owns a 1997 F150. We bought it used and none of the gauges work correctly (if at all). Anyway, the truck keeps losing coolant and oil about every 3 to 4 days.
The first time it happened (about a month ago), the "oil can" indicator lamp came on. He pulled over to check the truck and discovered it was not only out of oil, but also out of coolant. Fortunately (despite it being midnight), he found a water hose at the church parking lot where he pulled over and also found a quickie-mart that had oil (and was still open).
He's kept an eye on it and has refilled it with both coolant and oil. But he missed checking it last Thursday and had to stop again Thursday night on the way home from work when the light came back on. Checked and, sure enough, wound up putting 4 gallons of collant in it and adding more oil.
Do any of you have any idea on what can be causing this? And how to fix it?
I'm hoping it's something relatively simple, like cracked/leaking hoses or maybe a thermostat that needs changing. And praying it's not a cracked head gasket.
Any and all help most appreciated!
Hubby owns a 1997 F150. We bought it used and none of the gauges work correctly (if at all). Anyway, the truck keeps losing coolant and oil about every 3 to 4 days.
The first time it happened (about a month ago), the "oil can" indicator lamp came on. He pulled over to check the truck and discovered it was not only out of oil, but also out of coolant. Fortunately (despite it being midnight), he found a water hose at the church parking lot where he pulled over and also found a quickie-mart that had oil (and was still open).
He's kept an eye on it and has refilled it with both coolant and oil. But he missed checking it last Thursday and had to stop again Thursday night on the way home from work when the light came back on. Checked and, sure enough, wound up putting 4 gallons of collant in it and adding more oil.
Do any of you have any idea on what can be causing this? And how to fix it?
I'm hoping it's something relatively simple, like cracked/leaking hoses or maybe a thermostat that needs changing. And praying it's not a cracked head gasket.
Any and all help most appreciated!
09-13-2014, 04:24 PM
#2
Senior Member
Wow that's a lot of fluid. I would just check all the oil lines for cracks or holes, check the radiator, and any hose coolant would go through. If you guys are like me with barely any mechanical background, just follow hoses and look for leaks lol.
On the bright side, you get cheaper oil changes
On the bright side, you get cheaper oil changes
09-13-2014, 04:39 PM
#3
Senior Member
No visible leaks anywhere? Very odd if theres not. Check the oil for milkshake? If the coolant is getting through the exhaust via a blown headgasket, you'd see clouds of white smoke out of the pipes. If it's getting into the oil, you'll get milkshake on the dipstick. It's gotta be going somewhere. Doesn't just dissappear.
09-14-2014, 05:30 AM
#4
That really is allot of fluids to be missing in a short period of time. Hard to believe you wouldn't have odd smells... see puddles, drips, leaks, or smoke from somewhere.
My first thought is someone is tampering with their vehicle.
My first thought is someone is tampering with their vehicle.
09-14-2014, 05:55 AM
#5
Senior Member
ide check the radiator cap to make sure its seals 100%, fill it with water and run the truck and have your husband look under the hood to see if coolant leaks anywhere is an idea., fr the oil leak, my old truck had a bad bolt in the oil pan were you drain the oil so that might be were yur loosing oil.
09-14-2014, 05:57 AM
#6
Senior Member
rather than keep buying coolant , keep filling with water till the leak is discovered and save some money
unless your ina noerthernstate
unless your ina noerthernstate
Last edited by Jefk; 09-14-2014 at 05:59 AM.
09-14-2014, 09:52 AM
#7
Since you're in north east GA no worries about freezing damage, but vehicles need antifreeze/water mix (about 50/50) for best cooling and corrosion protection.
If it were my truck I would:
Take it to a high pressure wash and spray wash the engine and underbody near the engine. No need to wait for it to cool, just wash it good. Nothing will be damaged. Take a cloth to wipe dry the spark plug wires IF it won't restart wet. (Bad wires leak voltage when wet.) You need a clean engine to find leaks.
Then at home use a flash light to check for oil leaks and coolant leaks. Most likely external oil leaks at front or back underneath. If yes, get 2 cans of oil stop leak (the one with the money back guarantee). Change the oil and filter (get 10W-40) and add the 2 cans of stop leak, then add oil up the full level. Start engine to fill up new oil filter, shut off, then recheck level and add to full level. The stop leak will soften hardened oil seals and should work in about a week of running. Stop leak will not hurt the engine.
On the coolant leak, probably external. With engine at normal operating temperature, shut it down. There should be pressure in the system (normal) and you should see coolant leaking somewhere. Check at the front underneath near the coolant pump. Check at the top near metal coolant tubes (they rust from inside and leak from pin holes). Don't use stop leak for a coolant leak...it can plug up the wrong stuff.
Fix the coolant leak and refill with 50/50 antifreeze and water.
As someone else suggested, if the old oil is milky looking (coffee with cream color) then water is getting into the oil and a more complicated fix is needed.
Good luck!
If it were my truck I would:
Take it to a high pressure wash and spray wash the engine and underbody near the engine. No need to wait for it to cool, just wash it good. Nothing will be damaged. Take a cloth to wipe dry the spark plug wires IF it won't restart wet. (Bad wires leak voltage when wet.) You need a clean engine to find leaks.
Then at home use a flash light to check for oil leaks and coolant leaks. Most likely external oil leaks at front or back underneath. If yes, get 2 cans of oil stop leak (the one with the money back guarantee). Change the oil and filter (get 10W-40) and add the 2 cans of stop leak, then add oil up the full level. Start engine to fill up new oil filter, shut off, then recheck level and add to full level. The stop leak will soften hardened oil seals and should work in about a week of running. Stop leak will not hurt the engine.
On the coolant leak, probably external. With engine at normal operating temperature, shut it down. There should be pressure in the system (normal) and you should see coolant leaking somewhere. Check at the front underneath near the coolant pump. Check at the top near metal coolant tubes (they rust from inside and leak from pin holes). Don't use stop leak for a coolant leak...it can plug up the wrong stuff.
Fix the coolant leak and refill with 50/50 antifreeze and water.
As someone else suggested, if the old oil is milky looking (coffee with cream color) then water is getting into the oil and a more complicated fix is needed.
Good luck!
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09-14-2014, 10:59 AM
#8
Senior Member
Since you're in north east GA no worries about freezing damage, but vehicles need antifreeze/water mix (about 50/50) for best cooling and corrosion protection.
If it were my truck I would:
Take it to a high pressure wash and spray wash the engine and underbody near the engine. No need to wait for it to cool, just wash it good. Nothing will be damaged. Take a cloth to wipe dry the spark plug wires IF it won't restart wet. (Bad wires leak voltage when wet.) You need a clean engine to find leaks.
Then at home use a flash light to check for oil leaks and coolant leaks. Most likely external oil leaks at front or back underneath. If yes, get 2 cans of oil stop leak (the one with the money back guarantee). Change the oil and filter (get 10W-40) and add the 2 cans of stop leak, then add oil up the full level. Start engine to fill up new oil filter, shut off, then recheck level and add to full level. The stop leak will soften hardened oil seals and should work in about a week of running. Stop leak will not hurt the engine.
On the coolant leak, probably external. With engine at normal operating temperature, shut it down. There should be pressure in the system (normal) and you should see coolant leaking somewhere. Check at the front underneath near the coolant pump. Check at the top near metal coolant tubes (they rust from inside and leak from pin holes). Don't use stop leak for a coolant leak...it can plug up the wrong stuff.
Fix the coolant leak and refill with 50/50 antifreeze and water.
As someone else suggested, if the old oil is milky looking (coffee with cream color) then water is getting into the oil and a more complicated fix is needed.
Good luck!
If it were my truck I would:
Take it to a high pressure wash and spray wash the engine and underbody near the engine. No need to wait for it to cool, just wash it good. Nothing will be damaged. Take a cloth to wipe dry the spark plug wires IF it won't restart wet. (Bad wires leak voltage when wet.) You need a clean engine to find leaks.
Then at home use a flash light to check for oil leaks and coolant leaks. Most likely external oil leaks at front or back underneath. If yes, get 2 cans of oil stop leak (the one with the money back guarantee). Change the oil and filter (get 10W-40) and add the 2 cans of stop leak, then add oil up the full level. Start engine to fill up new oil filter, shut off, then recheck level and add to full level. The stop leak will soften hardened oil seals and should work in about a week of running. Stop leak will not hurt the engine.
On the coolant leak, probably external. With engine at normal operating temperature, shut it down. There should be pressure in the system (normal) and you should see coolant leaking somewhere. Check at the front underneath near the coolant pump. Check at the top near metal coolant tubes (they rust from inside and leak from pin holes). Don't use stop leak for a coolant leak...it can plug up the wrong stuff.
Fix the coolant leak and refill with 50/50 antifreeze and water.
As someone else suggested, if the old oil is milky looking (coffee with cream color) then water is getting into the oil and a more complicated fix is needed.
Good luck!
