5.4L F-250 Mechanical Question

[Outback]

My 2000 F-250 5.4L loses a little antifreeze, maybe a quart every 1,000 miles. I can find no leaks. It runs great, no check engine lights, temp is normal. Oil is black. No bubbles in the reservoir during operation. Running in the driveway tonight, it appeared to have a bit of white smoke but honestly, it could be steam and I didn't stay long enough to see if it went away when it warmed up.

I want very much to NOT have a blown head gasket having spent $2,000 on a new head due to a stuck plug just last year. Googling and Youtubing, I see that a leaking EGR cooler could be the issue but I can't find a diagram, video or even a replacement EGR cooler online. Does this engine have one or is that a diesel engine item? Anyone have any suggestions before I take it in to a mechanic other than to buy a Chevy or Dodge?

[Brooks]

That is a 6.0 diesel.
Quart per 1000 miles but not running hot?

[Spoken0313]

Park it on pavement and Get a pressure tester and pump it up and let it sit for a while. Ive had them take a few minutes before the leak would make it all the way to the ground for me to see so be patient if it doesn't show up right away. If its losing coolant it's going somewhere, my 5.4 had a head gasket leak and ended up spraying coolant out the exhaust one night when I fired it up. Looked like a mosquito fogger

[Goldeneagle]

Look up on the intake manifold. It is made of a plastic type of material and mine cracked one time. Same thing. No drips. I finally noticed coolant on top of the motor.

[Outback]

Park it on pavement and Get a pressure tester and pump it up and let it sit for a while. Ive had them take a few minutes before the leak would make it all the way to the ground for me to see so be patient if it doesn't show up right away. If its losing coolant it's going somewhere, my 5.4 had a head gasket leak and ended up spraying coolant out the exhaust one night when I fired it up. Looked like a mosquito fogger

What did that cost to repair? I'm assuming at least $1000.

[Outback]

Look up on the intake manifold. It is made of a plastic type of material and mine cracked one time. Same thing. No drips. I finally noticed coolant on top of the motor.

Was this a costly repair?

[Spoken0313]

What did that cost to repair? I'm assuming at least $1000.

I worked at a shop and could do it myself so I never priced it out and since my truck had 200k on it I decided it was better to throw a new motor in it instead of doing all that work to fix a problem and risking the other side or something else going out next. If you luck out and its just the intake manifold thats not hard to do and you could probably fix it yourself if you have the time and patience

[No-Walkin STX Hank]

As spoken0313 said pressure test and be patient

[Outback]

I'm renting a pressure tester this week! And I will be praying for an inexpensive fix!

[BIGTERRY75]

My 2000 F-250 5.4L loses a little antifreeze, maybe a quart every 1,000 miles. I can find no leaks. It runs great, no check engine lights, temp is normal. Oil is black. No bubbles in the reservoir during operation. Running in the driveway tonight, it appeared to have a bit of white smoke but honestly, it could be steam and I didn't stay long enough to see if it went away when it warmed up.

I want very much to NOT have a blown head gasket having spent $2,000 on a new head due to a stuck plug just last year. Googling and Youtubing, I see that a leaking EGR cooler could be the issue but I can't find a diagram, video or even a replacement EGR cooler online. Does this engine have one or is that a diesel engine item? Anyone have any suggestions before I take it in to a mechanic other than to buy a Chevy or Dodge?

Unless it is some kind of special 5.4 you don't have an E.G.R. Cooler

Check hoses, radiator, intake, water pump, thermostat housing, and drain for ac for a residue that will be the color of your antifreeze and be chalky and crusty. Also look under the carpet on the passenger side of the truck under the dash. If you find one spot, keep looking. That is where your leak/leaks are. How much water is in your cooling system? Water will evaporate much faster than Antifreeze.

[Outback]

Unless it is some kind of special 5.4 you don't have an E.G.R. Cooler

Check hoses, radiator, intake, water pump, thermostat housing, and drain for ac for a residue that will be the color of your antifreeze and be chalky and crusty. Also look under the carpet on the passenger side of the truck under the dash. If you find one spot, keep looking. That is where your leak/leaks are. How much water is in your cooling system? Water will evaporate much faster than Antifreeze.

I buy the 50/50 blend so 50%. Carpet is not wet that I have noticed but will pull up and feel well. A heater core would be a sweet failure and presumably an easy fix but I haven't smelled antifreeze. Hopefully the pressure test will push out enough that I can find it.

[Spoken0313]

I buy the 50/50 blend so 50%. Carpet is not wet that I have noticed but will pull up and feel well. A heater core would be a sweet failure and presumably an easy fix but I haven't smelled antifreeze. Hopefully the pressure test will push out enough that I can find it.

If your 2000 is anything like my 97 you have to pull the dash off to get to the heater core and id rather do that than pull the heads any day of the week

[BIGTERRY75]

If heater core you can get to it through the glove box or air bag one.
Look at where tanks are crimped on radiator as well those leak over time as well.

[Goldeneagle]

Was this a costly repair?

About $300 for an intake and some time out in the driveway.