Question Slow coolant leak

[elliotthere]

Slow coolant leak three gallons in 10600 miles, no white smoke out the exhaust, Ford dealer thinks it is a EGR cooler $1800. I need a second opinion. Also is it possible for a engine block heater left on to long to boil coolant out?

Thanks for any info!

Dave

 

[DaveBen]

The block heater will not boil your coolant. It is not powerful enough to get the block and coolant that hot. The EGR Cooler is a good guess but I would not get it from Ford. Check with one of our sponsors.

Dave

 

[elliotthere]

Thanks Dave!
I want to buy or rent a vacuum tester to help diagnose the leak. Any suggestions where to find one?

Thanks
Dave (elliotthere)

 

[DaveBen]

I am not sure why you want a vacuum detector? A diesel engine does NOT create a vacuum. Ford and other makers use an electrical vacuum pump for the brakes and other systems (AC). What year of truck are you referring to? If you put this information in your signature we would not have to keep asking.

Dave

 

[SDChris]

The EGR is the weak point on the 6.0, I would do the EGR delete, you can get a good quality kit for around $700.

 

[elliotthere]

SDChris thanks for the info.

Dave

 

[BIG JOE]

Slow coolant leak [ three gallons in 10600 miles ], no white smoke out the exhaust, Ford dealer thinks it is a EGR cooler $1800. I need a second opinion. Also [ is it possible for a engine block heater left on to long to boil coolant out? ]

Thanks for any info!

Dave

Leaving the Block Heater plugged in for extended periods >could< dissipate some of the water (H2O) from the coolant mixture. In the 10600 miles, how many times has it been left plugged in, and for how long at a time ?? (Hours, days, weeks ?)

But if it's a 6.0.. the EGR should still be checked out.

Joe

On Edit: since you've put the 3 gallons in it.. run it for awhile but keep a Real Close eye on the coolant level (?) Yer call.

 

[elliotthere]

BIG JOE thanks for the come back, last winter was tough in Michigan we used the block heater every night 40 degrees or less some times all day maybe two or three days in a row if we were snowed in. I plan to pull out the EGR and look for coolant also
pressure & vacuum test the system.

Thanks Dave (elliotthere)

 

[butch2000]

I have not done this personally , But if you remove the egr , and raise the back of the truck with a floor jack etc , if the erg cooler is leaking you should see coolant in the erg hole , you may have to leave it over night if it is a start of a egr cooler failure , ? if you see coolant in the egr hole then yes the cooler is dickered .

 

[elliotthere]

butch2000
Thanks for the comeback, I'll give that a try.

elliotthere