Hi everyone i'm redoing my entire cooling system on my 97 f150 with the 4.6L because I've been having some problems with the temp gauge spiking and the coolant is very dirty and brown. Even when i flush it several times after a couple drives it goes back to brown. I do not believe its a blown head gasket cause the truck runs very well. I have a few questions though like i would like to know if anyone knows what are good places to order decent quality parts from that won't break the bank. Also here is a list of all the parts I am planning on replacing:
-Radiator
-Top and bottom hoses
-Thermostat and gasket
-Fan Clutch(Squeaking)
-Overflow tank and hoses
-Both coolant sensors on the top of intake manifold
-Oil sending unit
I also would like someone to tell me if i got everything that is part of the cooling system on that list so i don't forget anything that is part of the cooling system. The only thing i didn't include was the heater core because i'm hoping its okay because the truck still has good heat. I would rather not replace it if i don't have to because i heard its quite a job. Everything else it out of the truck besides the fan clutch all i have to do is order parts and install them. I would also like to know if there is anything else i should look into replacing while i have it apart on top of the cooling stuff i'm going to replace. Thanks in advance for any input -Zach

 

You might do the water pump too.

 

Thank you I forgot about that.

 

I'd recommended the radiator too while ur in it, alot of rust builds up in there and clogs it, also as long as you have heat you shouldn't need a heater core but while u have everything off I'd flush out just the heater core while its still on the vehicle , try and get some water source with alot of pressure behind it and just do a few quick blows on each tube coming out of the heater core back and forth a couple times to make sure there's nothing in it

 

Okay I will try to flush it out and I am replacing the radiator as I think it is the source of my problem because its original and the truck has 188k on it.

Also an other question for anyone who could help me out. During this winter I noticed my truck frosting on the inside literally ice inside truck none on the outside windows. I checked to make sure all my windows were up and I also heard if the heater core is leaking that it could cause this but I don't think that's it because my carpet is dry and I don't see antifreeze anywhere inside the cab. And my heat works fine.

 

If you've had lots of snow there and u tracked alot inside your truck it'll melt when u have ur truck running then once u leave it over night it'll freeze back up causing windows to freeze kinda like a little ecosystem inside of your truck

 

Okay that makes sense I think I'm just gonna cross my fingers and hope that's what the problem was.

 

Well I've been shopping around and rock auto seems to have good prices but the shipping seems a little expensive. I have a list of parts and how much they cost with shipping and i would like to have some feedback on whether or not i can get them cheaper somewhere else.

-Motorcraft Air Filter $11.82
-Motorcraft Thermostat $11.09
-Gates Thermostat Gasket $0.84
-Bosch Water Pump+Gasket $32.79
-Motorcraft Thermostat Housing $15.64
-Shipping $21.79

Total:$93.85

I would also like to make sure I'm not asking for any problems buying a Bosch water pump. I know their spark plugs are crap but I wanna make sure the water pump is okay.

Thanks, Zach

 

I bought upper and lower hoses from the parts store. Dont remember prices but it was under 100. I replaced my reservoir because I was having the same problems you were (coolant was murky brown) . I could only buy the reservoir at the dealer and it cost me 90ish bucks. Over priced but I couldnt clean my old one and it needed replaced. Good luck.

 

Okay thanks I was curious because a friend of the family of mine wanted 70-80 for just the hoses and 200 for the radiator which I found for 120 so I'm just trying not to get ripped off and save a little money where I can.