Gee, I'm a bit red faced. I was preparing to replace the coolant for the first time in my 2008 F150. No radiator cap! Egads! When did they do away with that? Do I refill by pouring the new coolant and water in the overflow reservoir?

 

I'm more curious why you're replacing the coolant in an '08?? Got 100,000 miles on that thing already? That's impressive.

Yes, no cap on the radiator. All servicing is done through the expansion tank. They did away with the cap on the radiator at least in '97, maybe earlier but not sure.

 

Hmm, my '03 had a cap. So are you suggesting that coolant is good for 100,000 miles these days? Okay, I see that on the Prestone label now. No wonder there is no mention of it in the owner's manual.

Alright, one more dumb question. There is a reservoir sticking up on the top right side that appears to be tranny fluid. No clue on the outside though. Sure would be nice if they would label that thing! It needs topping off. Is that indeed tranny fluid?



Thanks, I appreciate the help. I'm feeling kind of foolish with these simple questions. Electronics is my forte, not mechanics.

 

That's not the right side, it's the left, and that's your power steering fluid. It does take tranny fluid though. (For the future, right and left on anything that moves[cars, airplanes, etc] is always from the drivers point of view)

So you had an '03 F-150 that had a cap actually on the radiator?? Interesting. I have an '02 now that does not and my old '97 did not. Oh well.

 

That is your radiator expansion tank. Coolant from the factory is red. That thing on the top of it is your radiator cap. Right to left radiator brake power stearing.

 

Ummmm, what???? He was asking about the item in the pic he has the arrow drawn to. Or were you (attempting to be) being funny?

 

What arrow? Oh I see it now! he asked about the one on the far Right I though?

 

Now I'm laughing



Hey Galaxy, question for yuh , here -

https://www.f150online.com/forums/su...ey-galaxy.html

 

Thanks for the help everyone. And for the record, my coolant is factory and is sort of golden, not red. You can see that in the picture. The power steering fluid is red but the bottle I bought to top it off is closer to golden than anything (STP brand).

And egads, pretty darn dusty in that engine compartment, no? Considering what a stickler for cleanliness I am on the outside of the truck, the engine compartment is embarrassing! I cleaned that up nicely while I was in there this afternoon.

Galaxy, yes, my '03 had a radiator cap. And uh, I replaced the coolant every winter.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

sixeye- i understand you want a clean engine compartment just make sure you dont use water. alright. you could end up destroying your cop's.

 

The radiator reservoir tank is way over to the right. There seems to be some yellow **** in it. Is that the color of anti-freeze for that year model? And, we describe an engine compartment from standing in front of the vehicle. So, the driver's side is the right side. It's not rocket science.
That is most likely your power steering fluid tank. Trace it to the source.

 

The proper coolant is gold, and goes by the part number VC7B.

Refilling it from the expansion tank, you'll probably get an air pocket in the cooling system. Disconnect the heater hose at the intake manifold fitting on the passenger's side while filling, it'll help purge air out of the cooling system.

 

Good grief. What a bunch of horse crap. The proper way to add fluid to the system is to add it to the overflow/expansion tank. Read your ****in" manual.

 

Sorry bro, but that's incorrect. You always referr to everything from the drivers point of view. Go look up an exhaust manifold or valve cover or any other part for the "drivers" side and see if it's labeled right or left. Come back and let us know what you find out too!!

sixeye... Don't buy power steering fluid for your reservoir. It calls for ATF. Don't remember which type, but it is regular ATF, not PS fluid.

 

F'k off and die, douchebag, I do this for a living.

ETA - Yes, adding coolant to top it off, add it directly to the tank, no problems. However, when the cooling system is empty, refilling it directly through the expansion tank will create an air pocket.

Disconnecting the heater hose while filling through the expansion tank gives the air someplace to escape.