F250

[The_King48]

I am leaking anitfreeze and can't figure out where its coming from. I just turned 100,000 on her. I check the ground for leaks when its parked and I can see it on the ground but can't figure out where its coming from for the life of me. Its not leaking bad, but I want to get it fixed so I'm not stranded on the side of the road. I can smell it in the cab when I turn on the heat. I don't know if that matters or not. Oh ya its a Diesel too. Anybody have any simular situations? Or can anybody recomend a good mechanic? I do NOT want to take it to a dealership.

[Scott K]

What year truck is this? What engine? Where do you live if you want someone to recommend a good mechanic? ANd why wouldnt you want to bring it to a dealer?

[pinkfloyd4ever]

could it be the water pump? Except I suppose if it was you wouldn't be able to smell it?

[upnorth]

Heater core? I would check on that especially if it seems to be coming from the firewall area.

[zamboni]

Heater core? I would check on that especially if it seems to be coming from the firewall area.

Wouldn't a heater core leak be on the inside floor boards?

[upnorth]

Yeah when you think about it probably would leak more inside. Just that if it smells like anti freeze with the heater on it sound like it would be leaking somewhere nearby or partially inside.

[ScoutII]

Maybe loose hose connection at heater core.

[Shack]

Quote:

Wouldn't a heater core leak be on the inside floor boards?

No, it would leak out on the ground by the fire wall, depending on what year it is and if it has A/C or not. The heater-A/C box has a drain tube in it for condensation to drain out from the evap. core. You will (with out a shadow of a doubt) get a mist out of the vents and a build up on the windows of coolant residue if the heater core is leaking.

If you can not find the leak visually, you will need to put a bottle of dye tracer (for coolant) in the radiator or coolant reservoir pressure tank. Drive the vehicle and let it leak out, while making sure you do not over heat the engine. Once the dye tracer leaks out with the coolant, use a UV black light in the area under the truck where the leak occurs. The trail will light up and you can trace back to the point of leakage.

If it is a newer model F-250 (gas), I would bet coolant by-pass hose in right rear of eng. compartment.

With out knowing what we are dealing with (year, (gas or diesel)), it is hard to say. If the leak is in the engine compartment, by the fire wall (or a large enough leak else where’s), the coolant smell will travel up by the cowl/firewall area and get sucked into the cab via the heater.

I will say that we need more info on the truck!

[Jeremy airjer W]

I'm not sure if your truck has an oil cooler but we have run into a couple of the adapters rusting out on the explorers or expiditions, I don't remember specifically which one as I always get them confused. If you notice the coolant around the area of the oil filter and it does have a cooler it is a possibility.