Low Coolant Level and dropping

[MoJoLightning]

The coolant level on the truck has dropped over the first 400 miles. It was below the Min level on day 2, now 400 miles level it is far lower. Truck is parked inside on a clean floor, no signs of a leak.

I’ll call my dealer tomorrow. Any thoughts on what the dealer would do and risk of taking it down the road over Christmas for a long journey?

Also, this is a Max Tow spec’d Lariat.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Assuming brand new truck with ~400 miles, it might just be trapped air in the system the factory didn't purge during assembly. Hopefully it stops, you might want the dealer to top it up and document, then observe / carry some spare coolant.

Ahhh yes, in service 9 days now:

 

[sstevetx]

Happened to me after my battery module got replaced. Had to top it off after each trip a handful of times before it stabilized. I assumed there was air in the system after the module replacement.

 

[Lightning Rod]

This is weird. I happen to notice the same thing yesterday and I was going to ask you guys the best thing to do.

When I fill it, do I add it half way between Min and Max?

I've put almost 8 thousand miles on it since delivery in late April.

Thanks.

 

[jetfixr1]

You know funny enough, my new truck isnt even a month old and I also noticed coolant level below the min line. I was parked at a slant but probably not enough to make a difference. I will double check, pretty sure I have the same issue. No leaks tho.

 

[TaxmanHog]

This is weird. I happen to notice the same thing yesterday and I was going to ask you guys the best thing to do.

When I fill it, do I add it half way between Min and Max?

I've put almost 8 thousand miles on it since delivery in late April.

Thanks.

A hair above the MIN when cold is best and how all our trucks arrived from the factory.

Sticking this thread for easy observation along with an older one, most folks will notice a slight drop, mine too, after topping it up, mine hasn't changed.

 

[MoJoLightning]

Thanks for the feedback! I will make sure the level is a bit above the Min line before I take off on this road trip.

 

[rdr854]

I had the same issue when my truck was new. It stabilized after being refilled twice. Dealer suspected an air pocket from the factory sine they could find no leaks.

 

[Lightning Rod]

One more question, which coolant should I use? Should I use regular ICE engine coolant or is there a special coolant that we use?

Thanks.


EDIT:

While searching Google, I ran across one of your posts for the answer, in another thread.

If it's below minimum while cool, bring up the level with the following

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mof-vc13dlg

 

[sstevetx]

Buy it from a Ford dealer if you can, because it is cheaper ($15) for that 50/50 premixed. Ford also has a concentrated version (VC-13-G) you can mix yourself with distilled water ($20). The concentrated is cheaper if you think you will need 2 gallons over the life of the truck. A Ford mobile tech brought me a gallon of the concentrated recently and said I could mix it and he said it is the same as the DL, but unmixed. I assume the DL in the 50/50 stands for diluted.

 

[Lytning]

Happened to me after my battery module got replaced. Had to top it off after each trip a handful of times before it stabilized. I assumed there was air in the system after the module replacement.

I suggest checking the coolant level frequently after an HV battery module replacement. The dealer EV Tech said he purged mine 4 times before all air was "removed". I checked the coolant level a week or so after receiving my truck back from the two module replacements, and the coolant level was at the bottom of the expansion / fill tank. I have topped it off twice since then.

 

[cal]

Listen this is obviously a head gasket leak. It's not showing up on the ground because it's being burnt up in the cylinders! Geeze do I have to do all the work around here?

Oh wait wrong truck!

Seriously I experienced the same low coolant level when I got my truck. Topped off at the dealer about 2k miles ago (no charge). No change in level now. I agree that system bubbles can require multiple top offs.

As far as buying coolant yourself, I would only buy from Ford. I tried using a top quality aftermarket coolant in our Lexus years ago and had some heating system issues. Learned that the wrong coolant can cause the rubber seals to swell. I'm not a Ford guy so I don't know if domestic makes are as sensitive.

 

[Heliian]

Large cooling loops, air in the system and temperature changes.

Keep it at low when stone cold.

 

[VTHokies]

Noticed mine was super low yesterday, no where close to the min level, Sept ‘23 build, purchased Oct ‘23 and currently 470 miles.

Had it going to the dealership anyway so they looked at it and topped it up all the way to the max level! Guess I’m good if there’s more air in the system!

 

[gmarcucio]

The coolant level on the truck has dropped over the first 400 miles. It was below the Min level on day 2, now 400 miles level it is far lower. Truck is parked inside on a clean floor, no signs of a leak.

I’ll call my dealer tomorrow. Any thoughts on what the dealer would do and risk of taking it down the road over Christmas for a long journey?

Also, this is a Max Tow spec’d Lariat.

The dealer should do a pressure test on the cooling system and check for an acceptable drop in pressure and/or a leak. Mine was that same way, no coolant in the recovery reservoir.

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