Low Coolant, Overheating, Engine Tapping. What's Going on Here!? 2018 F150 EcoBoost

[@kellismith4329]

Look at the spark plugs for evidence of coolant burn - also the carpet under the heater box

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Agreed, but there wasn't a misfire. No moisture in the vehicle. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@haneyoakie14]

Merry Christmas to the Wrenching family. May your 2025 be much healthier, wealthier and wiser!

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thanks so much! Happy New Year to you & yours. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@n1umj]

Reminds me of a friend of mine who had noises from the engine and called me on the side of the road. I asked if the gauges looked OK. They said "yeah in fact it was running cooler than usual according to the gauge". My response "that's not good at all". Sure enough, a line had let go and it ran out of coolant. Luckily they didn't kill the engine, new line, new coolant, and an oil change to be safe as hot as it got and it ran fine. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@garysgarage.2841]

I had that kit years ago. 90% of the time no adapter for so I was forced to use the expansion bladder. Eventually the bladders failed and I tossed it waist of space. I went on Amazon and got adapters separately for several manufacturers the cheapest ones made out of metal. Then I modified an older cylinder leak down tester to pressurize the coolant system. Works awesome I can adjust the pressure to exactly what I want and watch if it's holding pressure. Tons easier than pumping by hand.

[@michaelrodriguez9785]

Automatic Trans. I have discovered that some of the lexan plastic radiators develop internal cracks The coolant then goes into the trans. It may be worth looking into.

[@greggc8088]

I've got one of those coolant pressure testers with the universal fit air bladder that expands to seal the outlet and I love it. Everyone told me they were junk and wouldn't last but a few times but that was 8 years and a lot of pressure tests ago. The heck with all those dang adapters to keep up with because that gets expensive.

[@elcheapo5302]

Those are fine...until some decrepit old plastic radiator comes in and you split or crack it.

[@markm0000]

@@elcheapo5302 it would have split anyways from system pressure. Saved the customer a tow bill and more down time.

[@TxGuitarPlayer]

I want to know more about the atf type f in the oil. My dad did that 40 years ago to unstick lifters. It worked too. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@lowbudgetbob1155]

Merry Christmas to you and the Mrs. and Happy New Year!

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

@lowbudgetbob1155 Thank you! Merry Christmas to you and yours! Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@dugie5246]

My 4.6 f150 losses a little coolant when outside temperature at or below 30. Also a lot of vapor out of exhaust until reaches operating temperature. I put a 1/2 tube barrel stop leak a year ago and no more loss of coolant and excessive vapor. My guess is minor leaking head gasket. In summer didn't have issues.

[@milofd1]

It's probably a cold leak and won't leak when running. Let it sit overnight cool down then check the radiator I have replaced a bunch of this Ford radiators that leak around the tank when cold

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thanks for the recommendation. I will check it out. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@Davidnichols-p7w]

Merry Christmas Mr and Mrs Kenny! Love your videos.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Same to you! Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@William-v9i]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and the misses! Might I add that your videos are priceless to this 80 year old slow poke "retired mechanic". Keep on wrenching my friend.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

@William-v9i Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Thank you for your kind words & watching the channel. We mechanics never "retire" we get to pick & choose what we work on and take as long as we want getting it done. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@TedHill-97]

Merry Christmas to you and your family. God bless you.

[@andrewharrison8880]

Trouble is people don't think about maintaining their car/truck, they only care when it costs them money to fix it. Problem is common sense is not common any more. You have to regularly open the bonnet(hood) and check all of your levels. Cheers from Australia.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

You've got that right! It boggles my mind how many people don't bother with regular oil changes. Happy New Year to Australia. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@brianmurphy7809]

I enjoy your youtube channel how you explain things so simple and how to check different stuff if something is going on with different trucks and cars to bad I wasn't living in your area you would be my go to mechanic you know your stuff and a honest person it hard find people like you around these days that won't rip off people and stuff and keep on milk people for more money etc.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

@brianmurphy7809 thank you for your kind words. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@MarkEye-r5d]

Kenny Hope that you and your familky have a very Merry Christmas And Happy new Year

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

@MarkEye-r5d Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you & your family. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@harveypaxton1232]

Merry Christmas, Kenny and family!

[@kwgm8578]

Howdy, Kenny. That was my Dad's name. I just got rid of my 1999 Rodeo 6 cyl in October. It needed brakes, valve cover gasket, and it was due for a timing belt. I'm too old and disabled to work on it anymore, and mechanics are making close to $100 an hour these days, so Nissan, President Biden, and the State of Colorado made me an offer I can't refuse -- I turned it in and bought a 2025 Nissan Leaf for under $10K. I'm fully electric now. I can travel 170 miles on a change, but don't drive much anymore. I can't remember the last time I paid under $10k for a new car. I bought a 1984 Honda Accord new 40 years ago, and I can't remember the price but I think it was around $12K It was the LX model with a cassette tape player. I bought a maintenance plan that covers all except consumables -- brakes and tires on this thing, and the braking is regenerative, so maybe not brakes. This is likely the last car I'll own, as here in my 70's, I know my reflexes aren't what they used to be. About the heater -- it saved my engine once. I was driving a Toyota Camry that belonged to my wife when the water pump broke, going up an exit ramp but still 2-3 miles from home. I drove with the heater blasting on a hot summer day, and pulled into the driveway with an angry car. But I had my left eye glued to the temp gauge all the way home -- it was high but never went in the red. I opened the hood and let it sit all day and night, and changed the pump and hoses on the weekend. Everything was fine, but I took it to have an oil change just in case. The car ran for years -- one of our sons inherited it. Keep on wrenching -- I've retired. 🇺🇸🧙🏽‍♂️💙

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your experience. Do we ever retire from wrenching? Merry Christmas 🔧 Kenny

[@guygordon2780]

In 2018 I bought my wife a 3yo off-lease Nissan Leaf, and kept our Acura MDX as my drive. Since then, never ending problems with the MDX, and not ONE from the Leaf. This month I'm in my new (well, 1yo) Tesla model Y, and I'm getting rid of the MDX.

[@kwgm8578]

@guygordon2780 Sorry to hear that. But it's good to spread the news. I live 4 blocks from a Kia dealership but have heard nothing but trouble. Last summer they closed for good. They've been there for 15 years, but closed this year. The Leaf has been fine, so far. Thanks for the good news. That Tesla Sport looks fast when parked!

[@kwgm8578]

@@WrenchingWithKenny -- if the surgeon make it possible, maybe not. But I'm 72, Kenny. The idea of work leaves a sour taste in one's mouth. Who knows, if they steal my Social Security, I may have to wrench again. Happy Christmas. 🇺🇲🧙🏼‍♂️🎄

[@fatbastardwithabeard]

@@kwgm8578 Rest easy, my man. No matter how divided the country is, politically, racially, etc., EVERY working stiff out here will rebel against taking away or even cutting Social Security.

[@donshields4470]

For an impossible cap that won't screw on...get some aluminum foil, make a folded strip and wrap around the threads. Then screw on the pressure tester fitting....worth a try....

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thanks for your tech tip. I will try that next time I get stuck with a stubborn cap. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@rickdecastro4584]

I have a 2015 Ecoboost - no problems mostly, but have the missing coolant issue from time to time. Not in the crank case, not in the trans cooler, not on the ground. Engine runs fine.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

It's crazy right?! Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@campermike8879]

Please do a follow up. Gotta love the mystery leaks. Had a few myself sent out to find a leak. Coolant way low Wouldn't drip a drop And I wanna know if that engine quiets down after your trick

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

That's the fun part, right? The mystery! I will do a follow up. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@donaldcurtis9229]

I got a 60 L Chevy engine no leaks every couple weeks I have to run some new coolant in it's about half a gallon

[@MichaelBEarl]

I had a Ford Escape that had a slow leak from the water jacket to the exhaust in the intake. It would only leak while the thermostat was open so it took forever to find it with a pressure tester as every time I tested the thing the thermostat was closed. It took weeks to lose enough coolant to be a problem unless I was on a really long trip. I could have probably just kept a bottle of coolant in the back and never fixed it and the car would have been fine. If the exhaust is not horribly rusted on that truck, I would recommend you disconnect at the front-most flange you can find and let the truck idle until the thermostat cycles a few times to see if you get any coolant dripping out of the exhaust. A slow leak into the exhaust can simply evaporate.

[@williamwhite9767]

Water pumps are common failures on those engines from what I understand. And it just might need some new phasers to quieten it down. And somebody needs an ass kicking for letting the oil go so long without changing it.

[@EvzenKovar-i5p]

I use a fleet ‘17 Ford Transit 150 at work. Absolutely love the rig. Only 33K on the clock but it has huge idle hours on it. Company won’t let me have the oil changed before 7.5K miles. So frustrating because I’m sure this is going to kill the engine prematurely due to fuel wash.

[@robertgriffin7569]

​@@EvzenKovar-i5p You're right..

[@conservativeguy9329]

I agree. I have a 2016 Ford F150 with the 5.0 liter coyote engine . My water pump went at 70,000 miles.

[@mph5896]

@@EvzenKovar-i5pI worked ambulance 20 years ago when they were all equipped with the 6.0 diesel. They idled 24/7. Changed the oil every 5k. We had non stop engine issues with them. It’s the companies truck, they pay the repair bill so it’s their decision

[@markm0000]

@@EvzenKovar-i5p all you can do is bump up the idle with a stick to keep more heat in the cylinders and prevent fuel wash. As for the oil you can get a syringe to fit down the dip stick tube and replace a quart of oil every thousand miles. It would be like a continuous oil change. You can get around their penny pinching to save your truck.

[@crabbypapa3862]

My 1993 Mustang 5.0 would leak antifreeze after cooling off, couldn't see where from positively. Pressure tests cold or hot were good. I upgraded to aluminum cylinder heads and replaced the timing chain due to 150,000 miles( barely any slack, changed anyway). After removing the timing chain cover I could see where the paper gasket was leaking. Enough there to seal while under pressure. No more leaks.

[@Servant927]

I use pond water. 🎉 Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Year.

[@scottcastillo7936]

Great video. Measuring temp of metal is a good advance at relatively low cost.

[@mikemckain6556]

check the turbo coolant fittings small leaks

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Yup, done. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@johneverett3947]

Been there before with no adapter. What I used to do is take the small return hose off put a T in it and then put the pressure tester on the t leaving the original Reservoir cap on. Works most times. Anyway, to pressurize a sealed system will usually work.😊

[@jimkalfakis9893]

Good man John, that’s how you get it done. 👊

[@BillyMorris-i7e]

I just paid for transmission inter cooler replacement it also put oil in the water had 2 bad hoses etc.

[@ken763E]

I don't understand? My Dad taught me anytime you opened the hood, check fluid levels, basic visual inspection and it's even easier now with the coolant recovery tanks. I've avoided bigger problems over the years by noticing things early.

[@BruceCrispo]

Merry Christmas Kenny to you and your family. I know of some of your medical troubles. Hope 2025 will be a happy healthy year. Just want to thank you, your a hard worker and should get your just reward for it.

[@dave4494]

Change the thermostat and radiator cap just for good measure.

[@jcwindevillose]

That’s a weird one. Did check out the links. Have a blessed merry Christmas Mr Kenny and your family

[@goodcitizen64]

Thanks Kenny! Merry Christmas to you and your family and God bless y'all

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

@goodcitizen64 thanks brother. Happy New Year. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@moseshancock3336]

The oil looks like coffee grounds in the coffee. Merry Christmas 🎅

[@haveraygunwilltravel]

If it's 10,000 miles over service then it's going to be low on coolant. Extended life coolant will evap faster than the old style coolant. I have two semi tractors that use ELC. We change the oil every 10, 000 miles and they are always low on coolant. They aren't leaking or burning it. It just evaporated in that time frame.

[@donniee1934]

Merry Christmas to you and the Mrs. Kenny

[@mikejerrett7354]

Merry Christmas to you and Mrs wrenching, can't wait to see what's up with that truck. 😊

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Same to you & yours. I will keep you posted on the truck. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@skinnymac6375]

Had the same issue with my Yukon 5.3 and never found a leak.

[@brucemc777]

OK, so my wife and my daughter need to pay attention to gages(!!!), but between the two of them they have fried three of my SUVs due to blown coolant hoses and the like, all the coolant drops out fast and you are looking at a temp gauge that shows you are perfectly fine. Nice to see they finally started providing cylinder head temps. I thought they were only doing coolant temp to accelerate "planned obsolescence". Man, was i pissed! I was thinking about how i could place some kind of sensor in the metal myself (the newest model year car we have is a 2016 Fusion - we ain't rich, but still, better off than many so not complaining. Except for not having cylinder head temp.).

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Yikes! Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@bigbill709]

Yeah it sorta sounds like a diesel

[@johnnyszot]

Merry Christmas to you and your family have a blessed holiday

[@donnataylor4168]

Hi Kenneth Hope all is well with you and your family. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and New Year. Dozydoodle DJ

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

@donnataylor4168 thank you! Happy New Year. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@ChrisMcCutcheon-wj2pp]

Sum of these economy boost from what I understand have coolant going thru the turbo and leak prone, from there straight shot to combustion chamber almost

[@jthonn]

Gremlins, I hate mysteries, but what can you do. Merry Christmas to you and family.

[@FreedomInc]

The turbo lines on these are notorious for leaking intermittently. I believe there .ay have been a recwll on them. It has somethijg to do with the connectors on them and the orings being junk

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thanks for the info. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@scottcastillo7936]

Once again, Great video!

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Thanks for watching & leaving a comment. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@daleschmitt2919]

Thank you

[@donames6941]

My old c10 over 3 months will lose half gallon of coolant been doing that for years, and i never see a leak. I even got a new cap and rad i think the coolant evaporates out of the overflow jug

[@BigTex8319]

The same thing happened to my friends 2014 f150 3.5 ecoboost, it was a blown head gasket, leaking coolant into 2 cylinders

[@walterboard-sf6tb]

Merry Christmas

[@davidlampe4153]

Interesting video 10 k oil change! No coolant in the bottle! Wonder what else is broken or on the verge of breaking?

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

They really run this hard & don't maintain it. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@walsakaluk1584]

Water is also a coolant. Enough OCD talk. Now.... I use mercury as a coolant in my ute. Shreds water pump belts but man does it keep the engine really cool. Never boils. It's so good I'm considering using it in the battery cooling system of my Tesla. What could possibly go wrong? Merry Christmas Kenny.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

😂 Happy New Year. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@82_KID]

MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. KENNY!! 🎄

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Merry Christmas Joe! Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@ricdenali4213]

How did the the radiator cap look? Are you able to test it ?

[@ChrisCreech-uf2ty]

Merry Christmas to you and your family 😊

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and yours! Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@PatrickJago]

You probably could have got away with putting some thread tape on the overflow bottle threads and then use the ford pressure tester. It seemed to be close

[@johnsmothermon6856]

The crimps on the hoses crack and slowly leak. Check the crimps.

[@kenpicillo8670]

Are the hose's the Quick connect they have o rings that fail.

[@65deh]

I would take out the spark plugs and if one or more are very clean that’s where your coolant is going.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

I agree, but it doesn't have a misfire. Thanks for watching. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@grumpy2.0]

I almost never have the right adapter.

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

Astro kit has it all

[@bobby9195]

YAY! Here comes Santa Claus 😅 Hello Mrs Meg and Mr Kenny hope y'all have a wonderful Christmas 😅

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

@bobby9195 Merry Christmas brother. Meg says hello. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@torkrench]

Dry temp sensors peg cuz they read steam temp... In this case K-Seal and keep working boys

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

It does work but I wouldn't for a fleet vehicle. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@jerrystephenson1172]

Coolant recovery tank has worn threads, maybe enough that the cap won't seal.

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

I love the built ford tough comes up on the dash to convince you that you didn’t make a bad choice 🤭

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

😂 it would be "tougher" if maintenance was done. Thanks for the laugh. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

@ 👍🏻👊🏻

[@LA_Commander]

Any white smoke in the exhaust? How do the spark plugs look? Could very well be a head gasket issue.

[@wisfull11]

do you change the oil after you put transmission fluid in the oil? how does trans fluid quiet the lifters?

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

It's in the video. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@pedroequis9396]

Radiator cap ?

[@robertrpenny]

That thing sounds like a diesel so needs new oil fast, and probably should have 5w40 or heavier. Then coolant leak fixed and see what happens. It could also need roller followers which the Ford tech changes all the time on those junkie motors. Then sell and buy a gm or Toyota before something else breaks. Merry Christmas to the Wrenchings from all fans in Cda. Comrade Bob.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Merry Christmas Comrade Bob! Keep wrenching! 🔧 Kenny

[@waynar3899]

The heads warp when they overheat.

[@EvzenKovar-i5p]

Merry Christmas all

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Merry Christmas! Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@scottnusser6232]

Change the oil, drain and fill cooling system, add k- seal and ship it. Let's move on and fix some broken cars😂❤

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

😂 thanks for the laugh. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@joemuncie9187]

I know of people who never check oil or water. Once it overheats they find the cooling system empty, and wonder why. If you don't open your hood for years, it may all evaporate, even without a leak. Don't do that.

[@notyou6950]

All it takes is one time to overheat a motor and it is worthless. Just one time. Sometimes they leak only when cold.

[@JimLambier]

My wife had borrowed my truck to drive to work. While on the highway, a hose burst and quickly lost all of the coolant. She didn't want to stop on the highway so she kept driving. Fortunately, the truck has software smart enough to disagree with her and gradually dropped power and then shut itself down. Replaced a cheap hose and good to go.

[@notyou6950]

@JimLambier I blew top radiator hose in a Kia Spectra one night. Ironically, the new hose was in the back seat waiting for me to change it. I had to do a head job to get it going again $400.00 in parts alone plus a week to get the machining done. I was a lazy dumb ass for procrastinating this.

[@DAVEFZEK]

Sounds most likely a cam faiser issue common problem with the 3.5 ecoboost.

[@ricanderson5717]

Coolant does deplete over time; no system is totally "closed". If no regular maintenance is done, then maybe no one noticed the low coolant happening slowly over time?

[@kellismith4329]

No, if it is low it went somewhere

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

I hear you, but this definitely leaked out somewhere. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@Wolfhound.]

what all weight oils can you use that type F trick on and how long can i keep it in there

[@shauneco]

Probably a slightly cracked cylinder. Maybe only lose a bit of coolant under certain load conditions.

[@Karrpilot]

Overdue on the sticker and the driver never checked the fluids. That driver needs a new job. Part of being in a fleet is a pre trip inspection. A check of the fluids is Paramount before driving off. And a look at the sticker? Another DUH!

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Crazy right?! Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@donmunro144]

I once blew-up a ford 390 because of no coolant and the gauges read normal.

[@SammyKurts-ku2ht]

Taste the tailpipe of its sweet it’s burning coolant .. headgasket

[@timzzz9963]

those ecoboosts seem to tick right from new, I drive a transit van and its the same noise on the 3.5. Only 70,000kms (canadian kms)

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

When they run good, they REALLY run good. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@emmettrobinson9708]

Hey, Kenny, I have an 02 GMC Sierra 15 hungry Z. Save me 15.3 I have put 3 new IA C vials in the throttle and had to put the oven back in. So it would run with the new ones. It would crank fine and then when I put it in gear. It would go dead, then I would restart and then it would go in beer in drive but it would idle high. 4 about 10 miles when I came to stops.Did you get a chance?Please do a video on tyes.Thank you very much, love you shows.Be careful take care of yourself

[@brianmiller-iz6vf]

What the hell are you talking about? Don’t use voice to text, it never makes any sense.

[@renj6531]

It doesn’t surprise me ford probably has some oddball size that they monopolize on because your forced to buy only one patented from them

[@marstedt]

ATF has virtually no detergents compared to ENGINE oil. Never put ATF in any engine, especially if you don't want to damage it or if you want to clean it.

[@timothyhall963]

It's probably just a simple lack of basic maintenance. Given that the oil is 10k over, it's due change

[@dougjones9493]

I found water pumps leaks after they cool down

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

I don't see any signs of staining. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@RobertYonng]

Put gas in and drive we need not open the hood. 😉😂🤣

[@haneyoakie14]

Lack of maintenance. No oil change, never check coolant, year later, it’s misbehaving.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

You are correct, preventive maintenance is key! Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@FoxtrotUniformCharlieKiloD-p8g]

Coolant cap seal.

[@Jay388]

The tapping sounds like cam phasers. Needs a full timing job on top of coolant leak repair.

[@robertgriffin7569]

Change the oil...

[@needhelp2453]

I'm going to guess that you have a leaking head gasket that only leaks when the engine is cold.

[@kellismith4329]

Or when it is hot, into the comb chamber

[@marshall1157]

Economy boost for ford

[@brianodonnell7076]

My guess is the man speaking in the video is from the Pittsburgh area by the way he says 'water'.

[@SEMPER-FI-777]

JUST A THOUGHT......... Is it possible that the "crew member" is not happy with the Owner/Boss and removed the coolant to create this scenario in order to get out of work and back to his family for the Holiday? Now you are left, chasing your tail in trying to to figure out and duplicate an organic source of the "proposed problem"? ....... just seen too much/many work site and crew antics throughout the years..... at times.....outside the box, is valuable......hmmmmm.

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

That scenario never entered my mind. Now I'm here wondering 🤔 Thanks for your insight. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@XPFTP]

what we have here folks is............ working quit and left the truck there sayin something wrong with it. to make the owner pay

[@WrenchingWithKenny]

Interesting thought. Thanks for sharing. Keep wrenching 🔧 Kenny

[@alexandergunaka666]

The pressure test adapters with metal threads always have fitment issues. Always plastic threads. I got fooled twice.

[@Taillighttim26]

It will over heat with no coolant i don't know whoever was driving it when It was overheating maybe that is the issue and didn't check..