Hi all. Coolant issue. Started off when thermostat opens, it sprayed antifreeze from rad cap, loose heat, temp gauge spikes and valve rattles. Had garage replace thermostat, rad hoses, water pump, 3 temp. sensors, rad cap. He pressure tested it and tightened hoses. Said all is good. Still was loosing antifreeze so he ran camera all over engine and said intake manifold gasket was leaking. $400. and he said all is well. This was in March of this year. Now since cooler weather is in, I'm still adding antifreeze every few days after driving 80-100 miles a day. I noticed when thermostat opens after 4-5 miles in the morning, I loose heat and temp. gauge drops down to "C". after about 4-5 more miles it blows heat again fine. No visible leaks outside or on motor. Garage assured me heads were ok. Oil looks fine. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Truck is a 98 F150 , 4.6 Triton engine 150,000 miles.

 

Blown Head gasket.

 

^^^^x2

 

Garage has truck again now. He said he wants to do another pressure test and dye test. He's still not convinced it's the heads. Says Ford's 4.6 aren't known for head problems. Guess I'll know for sure hopefully this evening. Question.... would it be cheaper to replace motor than to redo the heads? In case he's wrong and you guys are right. He said if worse comes to worse, he has a 5.4 motor there if I want it. He wouldn't talk cost yet. Would a 5.4 mount up to everything since I have a 4.6 now?

 

Got truck back. Mechanic did another pressure test. Found hole in new radiator hose under clamp by thermostat housing. He said when truck sit, antifreeze leaked out and when thermostat opened next time , all the air in the hose went through the motor. Driving truck home, it did fine. Temp gauge never moved and heat stayed constant. $127. for radiator hose and labor sounds high but i'm glad it's not the heads. Thanks again for the responses.

 

So the new hose had a leak in it if i understand correctly. If the new hose had a defect in it in my opinion i don't think its right that he charged you for another hose that wasn't your fault at all but more his for not noticing it. I don't think hes right to charge you for that. Thats my own opinion. Most places have labor and part warranty for at least 30 days i know they do around here. From the sounds of it this was way less than 30 days. But im glad its fixed for you.

 

rad hoses were put on back in March this year. Cant believe even after 7 months, it developed a hole already. Being under the clamp, I say it was put on crooked or over tightened. I'm just glad so far it's doing fine. Bought wife new car, maybe time for me a truck. Hate paying 30 - $40,000 for something just to get me to work and occasional hauling.