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00 F150 getting gasoline in cooling system
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 24, 2010, 1:31 PM
Post #1 of 7
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00 F150 getting gasoline in cooling system
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I got a call from a friend and I've never heard of a vehicle do this before. Its a 00 F150 with a 4.6 and about 300,000 miles on it. Runs very smoothly but the overflow tank is constantly refilling itself with what smells like gasoline. No power issues but fuel consumption is single digits since this began. No engine light coming on. He's certain the fuel is ending up in his cooling system and he's pretty handy with a wrench so I believe him. Not familiar with these newer Ford engines and this is baffling me. Anyone seen this one happen before?
(changed your subject line as it first said gasoline getting in oil)
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 24, 2010, 4:36 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 24, 2010, 7:14 PM
Post #2 of 7
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Re: 00 F150 getting gasoline in cooling system
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I don't think that's even possible.
The only way for gas to get into the cooling system is someone putting it in there.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 25, 2010, 3:29 AM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: 00 F150 getting gasoline in cooling system
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Head scratch??
Don't think it can happen either. What may be is exhaust gasses/fumes are getting in cooling system appearing to raise coolant via displacement but that would end soon in overheating. That would be a head gasket issue.
In cases where gas is in oil - that's possible when injector(s) leak excessive fuel flooding out one or more cylinders. If a cylinder had both a load of fuel and a strange head gasket fault such that liquid fuel from cylinder passed into cooling system it would be a first for me and would take two faults coincidentally. Stuff happens but that would be way out there.
I suppose checking coolant for hydrocarbons instead of relying on sense of smell would be in order??
(Hey - sorry to mess with the original post. It's all there intact except content didn't match subject so I did split it and changed subject to match the content. All was in subject line which couldn't hold that much language. If I messed it up I'm really sorry - it was an attempt to clarify the problem only)
Tom
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nickwarner
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Feb 25, 2010, 9:03 PM
Post #4 of 7
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Re: 00 F150 getting gasoline in cooling system
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Its ok that you modified the post Tom. I posted it at the end of a very long day and apparently my brain was elsewhere. I had considered a head gasket issue but my friend that called was saying temps were normal and engine had great power, smooth running, but low gas mileage. I couldn't imagine how gas could end up in coolant myself, but I'm not familiar with the triton engines in the least. As soon as he gets the truck to me I can test it a bit and post back with what the issue was, but not sure when he's going to bring it in or if he's just going to sell it.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 25, 2010, 10:33 PM
Post #5 of 7
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Re: 00 F150 getting gasoline in cooling system
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Nick - I hate messing with posts and always state what I did and only do so if it's confused - laugh, the blind leading the blind sometimes!
I don't know that name of the 4.6 but thought "Tridon" was the V10?? 5.0 and 5.8 should be Windsor blocks. 4.6 has been around (circa 1992 or so in Lincolns anyway) and mostly trouble free but there were intake coolant leak problems on many and some (cars with that engine) use PLASTIC for the intake manifold! Shocking! I'm surprised it lasts at all but some do well. Trucks can and will alter the engine from the car version but essentially much the same. It should have 8 injectors that I don't think are near coolant or gaskets that could allow it to transfer.
Also - in order to alter fuel MPG it would really need to be some wild amount of loss! Dang trucks depending on use don't get such great mileage, single digits if true is a lot!
We are from "cold" country and I plow snow with a GM truck. Not uncommon to see 5 MPG - however that's justified. If you want to hand shovel what the amount of snow a few gallons can move have at it! Also, newer odometers don't record or eliminate the miles of backing up like wicked old stuff did.
I'm reluctant to even post ideas on how to test antifreeze for gasoline. My sense of smell is adequate to plain know most fluids with an odor. Guess a safe way to test would be to put some on a Q-Tip, go far away from anywhere that could cause fire problems and see if it can light? Antifreeze shouldn't burn. READERS/DIYers - DON'T TRY THAT - LET PROS FIGURE OUT STUFF LIKE THAT!
Still think the chances are near nil,
T
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nickwarner
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Feb 26, 2010, 8:06 PM
Post #6 of 7
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Re: 00 F150 getting gasoline in cooling system
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It'll be the first time I had to put out my cigarette before working on a cooling system! The Triton name was put on 4.6 and 5.4 engines in the newer Ford trucks. You're not the only one who isn't a fan of using plastic for intake manifolds, but more and more engines are doing it. I wouldn't but I'm not an engineer. Just one of the many of us who have to try and fix what the engineers did wrong. But I guess if they did it right my paycheck would shrivel like a raisin in the sun, right?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Feb 27, 2010, 3:23 AM
Post #7 of 7
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Re: 00 F150 getting gasoline in cooling system
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">>It'll be the first time I had to put out my cigarette before working on a cooling system!<<"  That would solve it! LMAO but not funny. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The plastic intake should look like this.......  Note the thermostat is involved sealing coolant there but that's away from fuel sources? Upon Google search of this manifold it appears there's an upgrade to make the front part separate and metal like this......  That seems to be the common weak spot on this manifold (leaking coolant OUT) and I still don't see how fuel can get there? It's away from any liquid fuel which should be a vapor only if at all possible? T
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