Leaks are super annoying and can cause way more damage than we think.
Exactly because of that, you have to check your car frequently, and you can’t ignore the leaks you see.
In this article, we will discuss the common reasons for a coolant leak, and specifically the coolant leak between the engine and transmission in Ford F-150.
Advertising links are marked with *. We receive a small commission on sales, nothing changes for you.
What Causes The Leak Between Engine And Transmission In Ford F-150?
The first thing you will notice is a leak, obviously, between your engine and transmission.
The coolant will drip from up top, and you will have to remove the transmission to see if your freeze plugs are faulty – they probably are since that is a very common cause.
What Are Freeze Plugs In Ford F-150?
Internal combustion engines with water cooling commonly employ core plugs, called freeze plugs or Welch plugs, to fill the sand-casting core holes.
Because they prevent coolant from flowing out, freeze plugs are a crucial engine component.
Suppose you ignore a leaking freeze plug for an extended period. In that case, your engine’s coolant may leak to the point that it can no longer adequately cool your engine, leading to overheating and the possibility of severe damage.
Why Are My Freeze Plugs Leaking And Causing The Leak Between The Engine And The Transmission?
The challenge with running a water-cooling system in your car is that most cars will eventually be driven in an environment with temperatures below freezing.
Water expands or gains volume when it freezes and transforms from a liquid to a solid.
Today’s world is experiencing various issues due to this volume rise, including frost heaves on the roads and burst water pipes in your home.
If your car’s cooling system were filled with pure water, it would be vulnerable to the same issue. The best remedy to this issue is to add antifreeze to water to reduce the freezing point.
How Can I Reach Freeze Plugs In Ford F-150?
As said in the paragraph above, you will have to remove the transmission in order to be able to reach and check out your freeze plugs.
Here you will find a very useful guide on how it looks like to remove your manual transmission. However, if you are not skilled, it would be best if you leave your mechanic that task.
How Can I Replace Freeze Plugs To Stop The Leaking Between The Engine & Transmission?
We always used a hammer and a strong punch to remove the freeze plugs.
Take a pair of pliers or channel locks, knock it in from one side, then pull it out.
Clean the hole’s edge, apply some yellow sealant or gasket maker to the new plug’s edge, and insert it into the hole.
Then, hammer it into place using anything that fits within and is as near to the plug’s size as feasible, such as a large socket.
If this description doesn’t work for you, take a quick look at this video. It is a somewhat similar method! All in all, replacing the freeze plugs is not hard and will not take much of your time.
What Are Other Common Reasons For Coolant Leaks In Ford F-150?
Here are a few things that can also cause your coolant leak in Ford F-150.
Keep reading for more information.
A Faulty Head Gasket
The engine may not exhibit any symptoms when the head gasket starts to break.
The symptoms start once the leak has reached the engine cylinder, coolant route, or engine oil flow. When that occurs, the engine may be challenging to start and idle unevenly.
The engine might start to overheat or at least run hot if coolant or oil leaks. The engine oil pan may now include coolant, which may seem creamy and lighter in color than the oil.
Additionally, there can be a gurgling sound, engine oil, or a burning smell from the radiator or engine coolant reservoir. Also, the check engine light will illuminate.
The white exhaust will come from the engine that smells nice and looks like engine coolant as it burns the coolant. The machine will overheat shortly after starting, stall, and then not restart if the head gasket entirely breaks.
To fix this, you will have to do a head gasket replacement, which will cost you between $1,853 and $2,149.
A Failing Heater Core
The interior of your Ford F-150 can begin to smell like engine coolant if the heater core fails. When the heating is switched on, the odor will get worse.
Also, while the car is being fixed, the engine can start to run hotter.
The worst-case scenario is an overheated engine, which can seriously harm an engine. Besides, keep in mind that the air that blasts when the heater is switched on won’t be very hot if the heater core is blocked.
Replacement of a failing heater core is between $1,052 and $1,327.
A Problem With The Radiator
The engine may run hot or overheat if the radiator fails.
The majority of radiators are plastic and aluminum. Over time, the plastic components might become fragile and shatter, allowing coolant to leak (typically green or pink in color).
All manufacturers provide a suggested service period for coolant replacement. The additives break down and create solid deposits as the coolant matures.
These deposits will accumulate in the cooling system’s passageways and eventually block various parts, including the radiator.
Radiators that leak or are clogged need to be replaced, and the cost of that will be between $1,020 and $1,172.
A Broken Radiator Hose
There can be a coolant leak coming from the hoses.
Age or oil leaks can cause coolant hoses to get damaged.
To prevent potential overheating, it is advised to replace the hoses before they start to leak. This can cause swelling or cracking.
The hose replacement will cost you between $413 and $435.
A Faulty Thermostat Housing
A damaged thermostat housing increases the possibility that coolant may leak to the engine through either a cracked or warped housing or a broken seal, which might result in an overheated vehicle.
The housing for the thermostat might be constructed of plastic or metal. On later model cars, the housing can be merged with the thermostat and changed as a single item, or it can be a stand-alone component separate from the thermostat.
The cost of replacing this will be between $505 and $543.
More things cause coolant leaks in your Ford F-150, such as a faulty water pump, a faulty intake manifold gasket, etc.
The best thing is to take your Ford to a mechanic since it’s easier to diagnose a problem with proper tools and a good look inside the vehicle.
Luna Meschiari is a full-blooded car nut who is well known to local garages, as each article is meticulously researched and peppered with the latest piece of information. Guess what car she’s driving right now? A RAV4 2021 Hybrid. But her heart also sleeps for pickups like the F-150. Get to know Luna better on the about us page.
Advertising links are marked with *. We receive a small commission on sales, nothing changes for you.
