Question/Help 3.0 V6 Cooling System Issue

[oldfordman]

You say the Dexcool looks muddy looking. (I didn't know ford used that, my Ranger had the green stuff when I bought it) You should flush that soon. Dexcool has a nasty habit that when it goes bad, it gets very muddy and thick. If yours is getting thick, the flow will be low, causing localized hot spots and boiling. I've seen some cases where it totally blocked heater cores, and was a real PITA to clean out. Better to flush now while you still have flow. Your choice on whether to replace with Dexcool or the green stuff- I've heard both sides of the augument. GM vehicles have intake manifold problems that seem related to the Dexcool- seems to seep into the gasket material, soften them, and cause them to go fail.

 

[Joeg]

For future reference .... Had the truck in for diagnostics this past week and problem has been determinded to be head gasket as I feared.

 

[kawasakiman27]

wish i saw this post when it started. mine did exact same thing. But 6 months later........................same damn thing! i dont know what to do.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

At what mileage are you guys having head gasket problems?

Just wondering what I've got to look forward to.....

 

[gunrunner87]

Hey Joeg, did replacing the head gasket work/fix the problem? Did you replace the water pump too?
I'm having the exact same problem with my truck and trying to decide what to do.

 

[kawasakiman27]

Runnin, mine was my error. I wouldn't worry, its a good engine and really easy to fix and maintain.

 

[buckshot777]

just a heads up. aftermarket thermostats dont have a bleeder like ford ones do. so when using them, drill a tiny hole in the t-stat. it'll get that air pocket out. this wasn't the problem with your truck, its a good thing to know though.

 

[cbxer55]

My sister had a leaking head gasket on her Cheap heap chevrolet S-10 last year. Four cylinder, and from the time you started it until you shut it off the water in the over-flow tank was boiling big time. There was never a lull in the show, just continuous boiling until you shut it off.

Yours does not sound continuous, so does not sound like head problem.