Coolant/Radiator issues

Ford SportTrac Forum

Help Support Ford SportTrac Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Berf

Active Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2020
Messages
112
Reaction score
29
Location
USA
I'm in the process of taking possession of a used 08 Sport Trac with the V8 Engine. I've read a lot of reports about coolant leaks and problems with the plastic radiator on these vehicles. Can someone tell me where to look for leaks? Also, is there any way to repair it or do you just have to replace the radiator? And if you replace, what radiator is recommended?
 
Not sure if you've got the horizontal or vertical flow radiator?
I wouldn't screw around with replacing PlasticTanked OldJunk with PlasticTanked NewJunk, OEM or AfterMarket.
I'd go with a 4CoreAllAluminum:
extra capacity is not an operating problem with the correct thermostat
& adds some insurance against overheating.
Here's a vertical flow 4CoreAllAluminum
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4Row-Alumin...973082?hash=item4b6f3023da:g:oEQAAOSwTNBd1vhR
Details of a horizontal flow 4CoreAllAluminum that I put in my 2001 V6~4.0L~SOHC
http://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com/Engine_Coolant_Radiator+Cap

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
Just thinking out loud here, has anyone ever tried using a water-less coolant in a Sport Trac since they run at much lower pressure? Seems like it might be a possible solution to the radiator issues. https://www.evanscoolant.com/
 
As I understand, 100% water is a better heat exchanger than any water+glycol mix, as racing builds tend to prefer.
The Evans site notes pure coolant tends to run hotter; pure coolant also has a higher freeze point than 50\50.
For everyday use, 50\50 Water+Glycol provides the best compromise for freeze protection, lubrication, corrosion protection, & heat transfer.
Things to study on & consider.
If you try the Evans waterless coolant, be sure to update us on the results.
 
Last edited:
OK, THe Gen 2 radiator cracks under the overlfow bottle.... REMOVE the 2 10mm screws and look under the bottle for stress cracks.

ALSO imedatly install the radiator cap off of the 2003 4.0 Sport trac 16 lb, the 20 on the gen 2 is a waste and only causes stress and issues.

That should solve it.
 
If you don't see or smell any leaks then I wouldn't worry about it. Cross that bridge when you get there. The radiator on my '08 cracked when it was still on extended warranty. I never had that happen before so I did some digging and found that the Gen 2 has a 20 lb radiator cap and I had never seen one that high. I noticed my son's Mustang had a 16 lb cap and it fit my Sport Trac so I went to the parts store and got a 16 lb cap for a 2000 Mustang V6. No issues since.
 
leaks will either be big obvious puddles, or sinister unseen slow drips that eventually empty the radiator.. either check the overflow bottle regularly, or notice when it starts overheating ;-)

my 1st gen 2004 radiator was plastic junk, lasted 16 years before starting a leak in the metal rather than the plastic oddly. Put in BarsLeaks since we were 1000 miles from home, got home and ignored it, eventually emptied again in the middle of the Red Desert in Wyoming.. Replaced it with a new plastic junk, figure 16 years isn't bad. The first plastic radiator I saw was in our 98 Sienna, couldn't believe my eyes - that one sprang a gusher from a crack in the plastic. The replacement plastic junk radiator lasted another ten years at least.

interesting on the 20lb caps on the second gen..
 
Top