2021 Low/Dirty Coolant

[dguns18]

Hello,

I have a 2021 Ford Ranger with 78k miles. While getting ready for a big trip, I noticed my coolant was low/dirty, no other issues. I filled it up with new coolant, and went about my business. Drove it 2800 miles in 7 days, from WI to NM and back hauling a 1800lb trailer. Never had any issues, did not overheat, and was all around perfect. When back at home I checked and the coolant was low again/ dirty. Reading online, it seems like it could be any litany of scary issues, including head gasket issues or EGR issues. I have not had any other symptoms besides the low/dirty coolant. Oil was changed right before the trip and looked fine.

Im thinking I will flush the coolant system and fill it back up again and monitor. Is there any danger to this, or what next step should I take?

Thanks

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[IdahoRanger]

Could be several things from the tank to a hose or the heater core. Here are a couple of threads:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/coolant-tank-leak.24367/

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/coolant-leak-issue.38815/

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...the-heater-core-replaced-under-warranty.1609/

 

[Rinn69]

There is a "technique" to ensure you get ALL of the Air when you refill it here----

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/coolant-loss-maybe-mystery.31251/post-706962

 

[airline tech]

Hello,

I have a 2021 Ford Ranger with 78k miles. While getting ready for a big trip, I noticed my coolant was low/dirty, no other issues. I filled it up with new coolant, and went about my business. Drove it 2800 miles in 7 days, from WI to NM and back hauling a 1800lb trailer. Never had any issues, did not overheat, and was all around perfect. When back at home I checked and the coolant was low again/ dirty. Reading online, it seems like it could be any litany of scary issues, including head gasket issues or EGR issues. I have not had any other symptoms besides the low/dirty coolant. Oil was changed right before the trip and looked fine.

Im thinking I will flush the coolant system and fill it back up again and monitor. Is there any danger to this, or what next step should I take?

Thanks

Define Low - How much coolant loss, keep in mind that the normal range is between max and min in this example (borrowed pic)

Mine stays right at the (seam of the tank)

 

[dguns18]

Define Low - How much coolant loss, keep in mind that the normal range is between max and min in this example (borrowed pic)

Mine stays right at the (seam of the tank)

When i first noticed it it was a 1/2 in below the min, so I filled it to the max line, and now after the 2800 mile trip its down just below the min line again.

There aren't any other symptoms to indicate it's the head gasket ( my biggest fear), so hopefully I can pinpoint a leak and/or maybe the fluid is just old and dirty after 78k miles. I have some UV dye arriving tomorrow and enough fluid to drain and fill the system.

 

[airline tech]

When i first noticed it it was a 1/2 in below the min, so I filled it to the max line, and now after the 2800 mile trip its down just below the min line again.

There aren't any other symptoms to indicate it's the head gasket ( my biggest fear), so hopefully I can pinpoint a leak and/or maybe the fluid is just old and dirty after 78k miles. I have some UV dye arriving tomorrow and enough fluid to drain and fill the system.

I would just drain and fill and as precaution (preventive) replace the reservoir cap.
If it's really dirty it would be a good idea to flush the system, but that is more involved remove the radiator and T-Stat.
If it has a leak, it's a very small leak and may show with a pressure test of the system (including the cap) ensure it holds 21 PSI

 

[Ddewitt88]

Put a flashlight to it. May not be as dirty as you think

 

[dguns18]

Put a flashlight to it. May not be as dirty as you think

Is this considered dirty...

 

[Ddewitt88]

Is this considered dirty...

She look a tad dirty.

 

[ControlNode]

Did someone put green coolant in it? I thought it should have been orange or yellow.

 

[dguns18]

Highly doubt it... ive only had it in for 2 oil changes at the Ford dealership a couple years ago, everything else ive done myself and only just added some yellow 2 weeks ago.

 

[airline tech]

I hate to say this - but to me it appears oil is getting into the cooling system.
The brown color plus (if not just the light reflection) misleading the pic. The white film floating on top of the fluid.

Have you checked the engine oil - Under the Cap and Dipstick for a white filmy sludge.

 

[dguns18]

I wouldn't say there's any white film, that mightve been a reflection. Im doing a "flush" with distilled water and prestone cooling system cleaner, and see where that takes me. And no white sludge in either of those places

 

[airline tech]

Ok, so this is just a reflection of the bucket.
This is what caught my eye

 

[dguns18]

Yeah thats just my garage door and the sun.

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