Oh Help!! I know nothing about engines. There is this "thing" hanging from underneith the engine, right behind the oil pan. What is it? I also have no engine coolant left.

 

Quick run to your nearest Ford Dealership and ask them for a can of Blinker fluid, it will solve all your problems.... Sorry could help myself I am just picking. Off the top of my head the only thing that I can think of would be transmission cooler lines. You might need to give us more detail. Like what year of truck you have, what engine, how the problem happened, and what the part looks like that is hanging down.

 

'97 (the version that came out in early 96),V8, not sure what the liter size is. This thing is attached to some kind of electrical plug. Guessing it may be a sensor. Has a small U shaped rod, bent 90 degrees.

 

Sounds like a block heater to me. That would explain your loss of coolant. The block heaters are usually installed on vehicles that operate in colder climates. It helps keep the enging warm making it easier to start.

 

If it's a 5.4L engine with the tow package, then it could possibly be one of the coolant lines running from the radiator to the heat exchanger that's between the block and the oil filter came off.

01sport's explanation is good too.

If it's still under warranty, call Roadside Assistance and have your truck towed to the dealer for repair.

 

You were right 01sport! It was the block heater that fits in the frost plug. Also learned that when you lose all the coolant Ford has fail safe mechinism that allows you to go to a service station before to much damage is done. Glad I was close to home.

 

Smashthegas, welcome to the board. I hope to see you around for a long time to come.

I think a lot of us are curious. What was it like when the Fail Safe Cooling kicked in? We all know the truck loses power since it runs on only 4 cylinders instead of 8.

Could you hear any difference in the engine sound? Any unusual sounds?

Was there any vibration?

 

What caused the block heater to fall out?

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2000 F-150 XLT Supercab 4X4,5.4,Off Road,Tow Pkg

 

Don't know how to explain it. No vibration or noise, just no power. Don't know what caused the heater to blow out either, but when we looked at the screw that holds it in, it was bent in a half moon shape. Can only conclude that it was over tightened when the factory installed it.

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'97, SuperCab, 4.6L, V8