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Hey guys....recently (about a month ago) I noticed that my truck started making a noise when starting it up in the mornings. It sounded like you opened the flood gates and water was rushing in somewhere. Its either coming from engine bay or dash. Maybe to heater core?? Well.....I had the heater core replaced this time last year so IDK. When this started happening, I also noticed that my temperature gauge wasn't on the "HALFWAY" mark like it always sits at. My gauge has NEVER been in any other position in the last 4 years I've owned the truck. Now it was sitting JUST BELOW halfway. I feel like this is part of the problem since it has never fluctuated. I would say the water rushing sound and the temp gauge issue lasted for about 2 weeks. I really didn't think much of it so I let it go.
First I got this Temp for a Couple of Weeks and this is when I got the Water Rushing Sounds
Now, 2 weeks later......No more water rushing sound, but I noticed that my temp gauge was showing ALOT COLDER TEMP (this is a pic of my actual dash). I also had to turn the heat on because we had our first cold snap and noticed that the heat wasn't working after driving about 50 miles with it on. The temp gauge still showed it being on cold. That is when I noticed that something needed to be fixed. I drive alot (about 500 miles a week), so the next day I noticed that my check engine light came on and the temp was still at the bottom Cold Mark. This was about 1 week ago and since then my temp has gone from staying on the Cold Mark, to the ALMOST normal mark, and sometimes (rarely) the actual Normal Halfway spot it should be in. When the temp is in all postiions BUT the bottom cold mark, the heat works.
I also got the Code scanned for the CEL and it was code 125 (I think). Regardless, it said the code was "Insufficient Engine Temp" or something like that.
Taken after I had been driving around 50 miles.
Last edited by redfarmer84; Oct 27, 2014 at 10:54 AM.
ok. Easy enough, but how would I purge all of the air out of the cooling system? I was thinking of draining it all out of the radiator and re-filling with new. Isn't that called a flush?
That isn't a flush, it's a partial drain and refill.
Leave the cap off the degas bottle, park it with the front end up (on a hill or with the front wheels on ramps) fire it up, set the heater to full heat, let it fully warm up (causing the thermostat to open) and idle it for a while.
That isn't a flush, it's a partial drain and refill.
Leave the cap off the degas bottle, park it with the front end up (on a hill or with the front wheels on ramps) fire it up, set the heater to full heat, let it fully warm up (causing the thermostat to open) and idle it for a while.
Ok, well I definitely think I should do a flush since one hasn't been done since I've had the truck (about 3 years). Right?? How would one go about flushing the system at home? Is there a good step-by-step guide for a 2000 F-150 Lariat with 5.4 ?
What are these steps you're describing? The process to remove any trapped air from the system?
I think I am gonna go with this procedure as it looks the simplest and doesn't require extra parts or cutting the heater hose. Then I could use the method of running the truck with the Degas Bottle Cap removed to purge the air.
Yes. You shouldn't get any trapped air if you use this kit but I'd still follow the procedure.
Originally Posted by redfarmer84
I think I am gonna go with this procedure as it looks the simplest and doesn't require extra parts or cutting the heater hose. Then I could use the method of running the truck with the Degas Bottle Cap removed to purge the air.
