1996 F150 I6... Ugh where do I begin?

Noticed the thermostat gauge was getting pretty hot while the car was in a drive through line.. or in a parking garage... kinda blew it off because its summer now and getting hotter... well I was in a drive through and the truck started to steam actually after I left and was at a red light so I got on the freeway and the temp went back down to normal and everything was fine.... Got to auto part store closest one and opened hood and there is sprayed radiator fluid all over the front right of the engine bay.. like drops and spots... The radiator fluid is at the correct level.. I am thinking it is either the water pump gasket or thermostat housing gasket that is leaking causing the fat to kick it all over on that side of the truck.... Any thoughts?

 

If the level in the radiator is correct, then where did the fluid come from? If fluid escaped the cooling system, the level in the radiator should be low. The right (passenger) side of the engine compartment is where the heater hoses are, might want to have a look at them. If you can't find the source, have someone pressure test your cooling system. That will isolate the source right away.

 

okay.. lets say that there is a tiny leak causing droplets to spray out while it is under pressure and the fan is flinging them everywhere...

how does that explain the fact the engine is getting overheated also? (I don't use my heater in summer)

 

does that mean there is two problems? or should I just take this one step at a time?

 

Okay, first of all, you need to understand that the cooling system in your truck is what's called a closed system, which means it's sealed, and no air can get in. This keeps it from overheating. If air should find a way of getting in, it will overheat, and a leak someplace is where air can get in, so the fact it's overheating and you have a leak are probably related.

Check the radiator itself for fluid and fill it, then put the cap back on and wipe down the mess under the hood. Then start the engine and let it idle for a while, with you observing under the hood. It shouldn't take long before you will see exactly where the leak is coming from. That's when you make a plan for repair.

 

ugh.. ive already done that but I can't even figure out where it is coming from... I have tried everything from AC on and off to Heater on and off, having a buddy hold the gas down... I think it only leaks when it is overheating... not sure though which is when im driving around places at like 5 miles per hour.. not on the highway or anything.

 

You need patience. Start it and just let it idle. Don't play with the a/c, don't play with the heater, leave the idle speed alone, just let it idle in park. If you want to, you can drape a beach towel in front of the grille to keep the fan from being able to draw much air through the radiator, but it doesn't really matter, just be patient. If the leak doesn't show up within 10 minutes, feel the upper radiator hose. If it's hot and feels solid, go ahead and shut the engine off, and observe under the hood. That will mean that your t-stat has opened, and the entire system is under pressure. When you shut it off, the fluid stops circulating, and will briefly get even hotter. The leak will present itself.

 

okay, I spent about 45 mins out there trying to find the leak and I can't even come close to finding it... i wiped all the current drops off the whole side.. let it sit until it went above normal temp and still no leak came up... Is there a way I can take it to a place and have them pressure test the system?

 

yeah or you can buy one your self

It goes where your radiator cap is and you pump up the pressure and look for a leak

 

Call around, some auto parts stores will loan you a cooling system pressure tester.