Antifreeze level dropping from high mark to low mark in about 3 months. Normal?

[donnietTA]

I filled it back up about 3-4 months ago and each morning I check it and it sits at the low line on the reservoir. Can’t find any leaks or evidence on the ground.
I have the V-6 , anyone else notice this?

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[Sharpie223]

I'd recommend getting a block tester to check for exhaust gasses in your coolant.

My challenger had an almost imperceptible head gasket leak, a couple small signs that were easy to ignore and assume we're nothing, but the block tester did in fact show exhaust gasses coming from the coolant.

It's also possible that you have a leak somewhere difficult to spot, especially if it's slow, such as heater core.

 

[donnietTA]

I'd recommend getting a block tester to check for exhaust gasses in your coolant.

My challenger had an almost imperceptible head gasket leak, a couple small signs that were easy to ignore and assume we're nothing, but the block tester did in fact show exhaust gasses coming from the coolant.

It's also possible that you have a leak somewhere difficult to spot, especially if it's slow, such as heater core.

The manual says it should be between the min and max lines when cold, I’ll add some in the AM if needed. Yes, I have the latest premix that I picked up from my dealership.

 

[Sharpie223]

Did you say you've added some before and it's decreased again? What level did it start at before you added more? Or if you didn't add any, what level did it start at?

 

[donnietTA]

Did you say you've added some before and it's decreased again? What level did it start at before you added more? Or if you didn't add any, what level did it start at?

Did you say you've added some before and it's decreased again? What level did it start at before you added more? Or if you didn't add any, what level did it start at?

two days after I bought it I bought the antifreeze and added to the tank because it was on the min line. Guy at dealership said he keeps his filled at max lines. I have only added to it once back in may. Hopefully I don’t have a leak.

 

[03GeeTee]

Mine does this also. I have to top it off every 6 months or so because it will be on the low mark. I've had oil tests done after the last few oil changes and it doesn't show any signs of coolant in the oil, so I'm assuming that it's just a tiny leak somewhere. In my old F150, the coolant would stay at the full mark for years without needing any added.

 

[stemplar]

This is a tough one to call, because it could be something serious or something as simple as air in the coolant system from assembly (not uncommon). I too have had to add coolant shortly after purchase, and I also had an oil analysis done in part to verify that there was no coolant in the oil (there wasn’t). Fast forward a year and I just added another 8oz or so to bring it from min to max in the overflow tank.

 

[WWilli]

Exact same situation on my 2.7. I guess I'm not the only one. Every few months have to add a splash to get it back to full line. Wonder whats up ?? Wonder if this system is susceptible to excess evaporation compared to other applications of the 2.7 ??

 

[Lion77]

I experienced this same phenomenon as have countless others with 2.7L and 3.0L Ecoboost engines. Even Car and Driver noted in their long-term review of their RR at 10k they had to add coolant, but it was the only "issue" they had.

I have searched high and low, looked in detail at the turbo coolant lines, looked for any pooling etc. and have never found anything. I have not had to add any coolant since the last time I filled it up so the usage rate of mine seems to have slowed down or stopped.

I suspect there could be very minor seepage somewhere in the turbo water jacket until you get enough heat cycling that you get permanent break-in. Could be gasketing / seal related, I'm not sure.

Combine that with possible minor evaporative losses, although I do not suspect evaporative losses because it's a closed system unlike my Mazda's, where are VTA (Vent to Atmosphere) where you actually do lose coolant over time (small amount over a few years). The Ford system is a pressurized system, so vapor will re-condense unless it cokes onto surfaces into a solid (sludging effect), which I highly doubt, especially with new vehicles and new coolant.

This issue is all over the Bronco forums and most people from what I can tell it seems to slowly get better or at worst, requires occasional top-off every oil fill but never get worse than that unless there is a major issue.

I had to top off my RR's reservoir twice, but it doesn't take much, we're talking only a few oz of coolant between the min and full mark and it's still about at the full mark when hot. At 29k miles. I do believe this is a typical characteristic of new Ecoboost 2.7L NANO and 3.0L engines, mostly in the first 20k to 30k miles.

 

[donnietTA]

Mine does this also. I have to top it off every 6 months or so because it will be on the low mark. I've had oil tests done after the last few oil changes and it doesn't show any signs of coolant in the oil, so I'm assuming that it's just a tiny leak somewhere. In my old F150, the coolant would stay at the full mark for years without needing any added.

Well after driving for an hour, I checked it again now that it’s hot and it’s now at the max line.

 

[emjay24l]

I filled it back up about 3-4 months ago and each morning I check it and it sits at the low line on the reservoir. Can’t find any leaks or evidence on the ground.
I have the V-6 , anyone else notice this?

IMO, any time the coolant drops regularly, it indicates there is a problem somewhere in the cooling system. I agree with @Sharpie223 about testing for exhaust gases in the coolant. This will tell if exhaust gasses are getting into the coolant but will not determine if coolant is getting into the combustion chambers or a turbocharger. Also, doing a long duration pressure test on the cooling system might show that a leak is occurring by the pressure dropping along with possibly letting a leak point being found. Doing these two things would help to rule out the worst case scenario regarding why coolant lost is occurring.

 

[WWilli]

I would bet this is far more common than is reported. Most people wouldnt pay it any attention or look closely at the min/max line on the reservoir. Im just that OCD person that micro inspects everything. Curious to see where this all leads. I love my 2.7 Ranger and hope its not a big deal.

 

[Sharpie223]

Assuming oil is good, my biggest concern would be a leak between cylinder and coolant passage that slowly erodes the block or head overtime and becomes a much bigger leak.

 

[emjay24l]

Assuming oil is good, my biggest concern would be a leak between cylinder and coolant passage that slowly erodes the block or head overtime and becomes a much bigger leak.

I agree. For me, cosistent coolant loss, with no sign of coolant leaking, sets off a lot of red flares. When this happens it could point to problems that involve head gaskets and turbo housings (i.e. expensive fixes).

Is this just a problem with the 2.7L engines or does it happen with the 2.3L engines too?

 

[03GeeTee]

I agree. For me, cosistent coolant loss, with no sign of coolant leaking, sets off a lot of red flares. When this happens it could point to problems that involve head gaskets and turbo housings (i.e. expensive fixes).

Is this just a problem with the 2.7L engines or does it happen with the 2.3L engines too?

Mine is a 2.3 MPC

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