First let me start off with saying hey my name is Preston. Some history on the truck 1987 F350 6.9l idi (I think) with estimate of 120,000 miles. I inherited the truck and my uncle who left me the truck never said how many times the odometer rolled over. The truck shows 20,000 miles now. The reason I say (I think) is because it has all the 7.3idi glow plug system, and belt system, but has the 6.9l 4 speed, and water separator, with factory paint color on the engine.
The problem is that it is blowing bubbles into the overflow tank.
I have searched all the posts and forums for answers to my problem but can’t come up with a solution. What I have done so far. The front water pump seal went out on the truck on a 150 mile commute with about 60 miles left to go. I had to keep stopping and fill the radiator with water and coolant to make it home. The truck never overheated (to my knowledge) or made any bad noises. It was running great and idling fine when I got home just leaking coolant. I replace the water pump and thermostat with factory ford parts. I cleaned the thermostat housing and check ball when replacing the thermostat. I pretested the thermostat and it functioned properly. I did put the thermostat in properly made sure of that. Once re-assembled I tested the check ball and it free moving (I can hear it clinking when I squeeze the upper radiator hose). For the water pump I did see some deterioration on the engine front cover plate behind the water pump impeller, but sanded it up and it got it pretty smooth. I installed the water pump and applied thread sealant to all the bolts (just as a precaution). The truck previously had green coolant, but I changed it to the Fleet charge pink with the SCA pre-added. I drained the entire cooling system (including block plugs), heater core, overflow hose, overflow tank, and flushed with distilled water. I put 5 gallons of coolant and the rest distilled water in it. The inside of the radiator does appear to have some scale in it. I plan to install a coolant filter once I get this problem is resolved. The truck cranks and idles great without any leaks.
The problem is that the truck is blowing bubbles into the overflow as it heats up and is warm. With the radiator cap off and the engine warm it is steaming out the radiator cap opening. I have a temp gun and the block, radiator, thermostat housing don’t get above 200 when sitting idling or driving. I have replaced the cap with a 13 psi cap. The exhaust does not smoke or smell sweet. The engine oil is not milky, and doesn’t appear to be eating coolant. It is however blowing what appears to be steam or smoke out the dipstick and oil filler cap. I think the CDR needs cleaning or replacing. I don’t see any condensation on the dipstick or under the oil filler cap. I did the combustion gas test with the coolant about 2” low in the radiator, and it did not change color, it will blow bubbles in to the cylinder with the blue fluid in it without pumping the primer bulb. I took the fluid around to the exhaust to make sure the fluid wasn’t bad and it turned color instantly. I pressure tested the coolant system cold and it will hold 16psi for as long as you want it to, I even tried turning the engine over (without it cranking) to see if one of the cylinder might have a hole in it but the gauge stays at 16pis no matter what. I just don’t know what else to do. I’m getting so frustrated and can’t figure this out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
The problem is that it is blowing bubbles into the overflow tank.
I have searched all the posts and forums for answers to my problem but can’t come up with a solution. What I have done so far. The front water pump seal went out on the truck on a 150 mile commute with about 60 miles left to go. I had to keep stopping and fill the radiator with water and coolant to make it home. The truck never overheated (to my knowledge) or made any bad noises. It was running great and idling fine when I got home just leaking coolant. I replace the water pump and thermostat with factory ford parts. I cleaned the thermostat housing and check ball when replacing the thermostat. I pretested the thermostat and it functioned properly. I did put the thermostat in properly made sure of that. Once re-assembled I tested the check ball and it free moving (I can hear it clinking when I squeeze the upper radiator hose). For the water pump I did see some deterioration on the engine front cover plate behind the water pump impeller, but sanded it up and it got it pretty smooth. I installed the water pump and applied thread sealant to all the bolts (just as a precaution). The truck previously had green coolant, but I changed it to the Fleet charge pink with the SCA pre-added. I drained the entire cooling system (including block plugs), heater core, overflow hose, overflow tank, and flushed with distilled water. I put 5 gallons of coolant and the rest distilled water in it. The inside of the radiator does appear to have some scale in it. I plan to install a coolant filter once I get this problem is resolved. The truck cranks and idles great without any leaks.
The problem is that the truck is blowing bubbles into the overflow as it heats up and is warm. With the radiator cap off and the engine warm it is steaming out the radiator cap opening. I have a temp gun and the block, radiator, thermostat housing don’t get above 200 when sitting idling or driving. I have replaced the cap with a 13 psi cap. The exhaust does not smoke or smell sweet. The engine oil is not milky, and doesn’t appear to be eating coolant. It is however blowing what appears to be steam or smoke out the dipstick and oil filler cap. I think the CDR needs cleaning or replacing. I don’t see any condensation on the dipstick or under the oil filler cap. I did the combustion gas test with the coolant about 2” low in the radiator, and it did not change color, it will blow bubbles in to the cylinder with the blue fluid in it without pumping the primer bulb. I took the fluid around to the exhaust to make sure the fluid wasn’t bad and it turned color instantly. I pressure tested the coolant system cold and it will hold 16psi for as long as you want it to, I even tried turning the engine over (without it cranking) to see if one of the cylinder might have a hole in it but the gauge stays at 16pis no matter what. I just don’t know what else to do. I’m getting so frustrated and can’t figure this out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
