hey everyone so im looking for some advice about a coolant leak. so to start with i have a 97 f150 4.6L. my truck sometime smells sweet and it has an obvious leak there is usually a wet spot on the driveway. i add between half a gallon to a whole gallon once a month. i cant really see where its leaking from but if you open the hood and look at the left on frame rail (passenger side) you can see coolant on it. the truck does not over heat its still my daily driver i put between 400-1000 miles a month. has anyone had this issue before. thank you in advance.

 

Sounds like a head gaskets is leaking, or maybe an intake manifold...

 

i kinda thought so i didnt want to put out there but it was in the back of my head. i guess im just going to drive it till it goes boom.

 

Amen... Im in the exact same situation, both head gaskets are leaking if not borderline blown.. im just gunna drive it till she blows

 

If you are lucky it is a heater hose and these are easy to fix. The quick disconnect fittings get brittle and break as they get older especially if your were working on your truck in that area and were bumping against them. It might also be the heater core which is a lot of work to change. Do you have any filmy material on your windshield from running the defrosters? That's a sign of a heater core that leaks.

here is a picture of the quick disconnects on the heater hoses. You press in on the inner connector and pull off the hose. If the plastic is broken on that outer ring it won't stay tight and will start leaking.
http://www.f150online.com/galleries/...3442-87148.jpg

 

i'll have to check that out thanks if im lucky i'll get her back up and running if not i'll save a little for another f150

 

Just a shot but check your radiator my 97 was leaking about the same amount drive me crazy for a month and finally found hair line the side plastic part

 

they now make a additive that you can put in your radiator that will fix a head gasket a buddie of mine put some in his 98 f150 and has put over 50k on it with no more leaks.. most parts stores has it

 

Have you actually looked at the engine while it was running? Thats when it will be leaking and should be easy to spot if its leaving a puddle. Take a pic or draw something and we can tell you where its leaking from. I would steer clear of the "leak fix" stuff, it has been know to cause more damage than actually fix anything.

 

If your smelling something sweet I'm guessing your inside the truck, that my friend would be your heater core leaking and draining out the hose that drains the A/C condensation. You can by-pass the heater if it's not to cold where your at and see if you keep losing antifreeze. Your right side floorboard/carpet should also be a little damp.