I have a f-150 lariat with the 5.4L V8. I am getting a very distinct smell of antifreeze outside of the truck. I cant find and leaks and the weep hole in the water pump dosnt seem to be leaking. I am burning it somewhere I was low the other day checked oil and its clean so no head gasket problem. New thermostat last year no smell from inside or while heater is running. Please add input all is very helpful. Thanks for your help.
Dave

 

Get a pressure tester from AutoZone. Look under the intake manifold because there is a hose that runs from the back side of the waterpump and the fitting cracks.

 

ok I checked all coolant hoses and the ones on top that go to the heater core no leaks. Got under the truck and antifreeze is all over the passenger side of the rear of the engine and leaking onto my starter cant find a leak anywhere but is all around the bottom passenger side plz help need to travel from NC to PA on tues for the army for training.

 

i have a 97 4.6 with 180k and it just started the same thing.i've been told that it could possibly be a head gasket leaking or a freeze plug.I can't see that far up inside the engine bay.The leak is coming from behind the motor mount , it looks like a freeze plug leaking but i can't see the top half of the plug to determine this

 

Hey torkum , I'll follow up with a few picks after your next post

 

Yea jbrew, I was thinking of the shot you got in your gallery but being a Southern man just can't take without asking

 

See that divider in back of the knock sensor? That's the way out your coolant takes when the two water pump o-rings are compromised..

You may l have looked up from underneath around the starter area and seen the corner of the head wet. 9 times out of 10 - it's not the gasket .

Take a good look with a flash lite behind the alternator - You'll see GREEN down in there - depending on the condition of your coolant and all that..

 

 

thanks for the pics and everything I think I hav a bad headgasket it is leaking around it I just found it on the back pass side. So its sittin at the ford shop waiting for repair and I have to rent a car to get to pa. Thanks for everything everyone.