Sponsored

MYSTERY COOLANT LEAK

SimonSaucy

Active Member
First Name
simon
Joined
Apr 13, 2026
Threads
6
Messages
31
Reaction score
16
Location
Uniter States Las Vegas
Vehicle(s)
2021 ford ranger STX
Occupation
engineer
For the last few months, I’ve been chasing a mystery coolant leak.

About a month or so ago I thought I found it in a quick connect fitting that had gone bad on the backside of the engine, feeding the transmission cooler lines.
Replaced that fitting and refilled up the coolant and didn’t really look at it.
Today, I’m driving home and have to pull over because the car thinks it’s overheating. Come to find out the coolant reservoir was pretty much empty.

Thus has started the search for where could the coolant leak possibly be. I had to fill up the reservoir with probably half a gallon. Luckily there’s still a good bit uv die in the system. I spent a little over an hour tonight looking in every nook and cranny for any leaks. But I can’t come up with that looks obvious. Or has any splatter marks like I saw last time.

The only two things I found were these T connectors in the driver’s wheel well that have to do with the transmission heater.. while they do glow slightly green. I’m not really convinced they’re actively leaking or leaking at all. I’d expect to see more residue and splatter around the area and I don’t. In addition, I tried cleaning off those fittings with brake cleaner. And the greenness did not change…. In addition this area could’ve been an area that the previous leak was leaking on.
I also started the truck up after it was cold and let it idle for a while until it was up to operating temperature. And then felt around all of these fittings and couldn’t find any wetness.


Looking for any recommendations on what I should do. I know there’s a few threads about possible EGR cooler issues. Honestly, that seems to be my best. Guess at this moment. Although I’m not having any codes of any sort.

No white smoke. No misfires. No obviously leaks.

Has anyone ever had a leaking radiator internally? It they didn’t show up on a black light or show any signs of leaking.?

IMG_4765.webp


IMG_4766.webp
Sponsored

 

RangerBill

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bob
Joined
Jun 8, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
1,635
Reaction score
2,173
Location
PA
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Ranger Lariat Super Crew FX4
Occupation
retired
For the last few months, I’ve been chasing a mystery coolant leak.

About a month or so ago I thought I found it in a quick connect fitting that had gone bad on the backside of the engine, feeding the transmission cooler lines.
Replaced that fitting and refilled up the coolant and didn’t really look at it.
Today, I’m driving home and have to pull over because the car thinks it’s overheating. Come to find out the coolant reservoir was pretty much empty.

Thus has started the search for where could the coolant leak possibly be. I had to fill up the reservoir with probably half a gallon. Luckily there’s still a good bit uv die in the system. I spent a little over an hour tonight looking in every nook and cranny for any leaks. But I can’t come up with that looks obvious. Or has any splatter marks like I saw last time.

The only two things I found were these T connectors in the driver’s wheel well that have to do with the transmission heater.. while they do glow slightly green. I’m not really convinced they’re actively leaking or leaking at all. I’d expect to see more residue and splatter around the area and I don’t. In addition, I tried cleaning off those fittings with brake cleaner. And the greenness did not change…. In addition this area could’ve been an area that the previous leak was leaking on.
I also started the truck up after it was cold and let it idle for a while until it was up to operating temperature. And then felt around all of these fittings and couldn’t find any wetness.


Looking for any recommendations on what I should do. I know there’s a few threads about possible EGR cooler issues. Honestly, that seems to be my best. Guess at this moment. Although I’m not having any codes of any sort.

No white smoke. No misfires. No obviously leaks.

Has anyone ever had a leaking radiator internally? It they didn’t show up on a black light or show any signs of leaking.?

IMG_4765.webp


IMG_4766.webp
Pull your spark plugs and see if they show signs of coolant leakage into the cylinders. Also, check your coolant bottle cap. It may be leaking there. How long does it take for the coolant level to be low after filling?
 

harringtondav

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jan 6, 2020
Threads
25
Messages
450
Reaction score
807
Location
East Central Iowa
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Ranger SuperCab, 2016 Jeep Cherokee, 2014 Dodge Dart Aero DDCT
Are you using a coolant system pressure tester? If not borrow or rent one from a parts store with a closed system reservoir adapter. I can't find the test pressure spec in my service information CD, but 21 psi is normal for this type of system.
I had a leak on a previous vehicle. The system held pressure when hot, but the leak showed itself overnight once the system cooled. Connect the pressure tester to the reservoir and warm the engine to full operating temp. The gauge on the pressure tester should raise to upper teens to lower 20 psi.
If an external hose, connection or device is leaking, a coolant puddle will form under the truck.
Leaking trans, engine oil and other coolers will leave coolant milk in the engine oil or transmission sump. A cracked block or head will do the same. A bad head gasket should cause white exhaust smoke. I believe the Ranger's turbo has a coolant circuit. A leak here could end up on the floor or cause white smoke.
 
OP
OP

SimonSaucy

Active Member
First Name
simon
Joined
Apr 13, 2026
Threads
6
Messages
31
Reaction score
16
Location
Uniter States Las Vegas
Vehicle(s)
2021 ford ranger STX
Occupation
engineer
Was thinking about buying a tester.
The hard part is there is no puddles or anything from the truck! No smoke or anything 😭
 


Cabose-1

Well-Known Member
First Name
Eli
Joined
Jan 19, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
1,995
Reaction score
7,529
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
2024 Ranger XLT, 4x2, Advance Tow, E-Locker
Occupation
Student
Not to argue methods, buttt........

Use the pressure tester cold. Parts contract, becoming smaller, put in the 21 psi, see if it holds, engine 🥶 cold, the water will leak, if its a leak and you can track it down a lot easier. With the engine hot, parts expand sealing the small gaps that create leaks.
Best way to find leaks. A lift, light and mirror.
Wash with water and dry with compressed air if possible. Or a shop vac blowing air. Coolant does not evaporate, it needs to be cleaned off.
A cold engine is easier to find leaks, and lets you crawl under and feel and look with lights and mirrors and not get burned all at the same time.
Good luck!
 

Cabose-1

Well-Known Member
First Name
Eli
Joined
Jan 19, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
1,995
Reaction score
7,529
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
2024 Ranger XLT, 4x2, Advance Tow, E-Locker
Occupation
Student
Was thinking about buying a tester.
The hard part is there is no puddles or anything from the truck! No smoke or anything 😭
Is the oil black or brown? Is the oil cap black, or.......hints of caramel color??
 

Cabose-1

Well-Known Member
First Name
Eli
Joined
Jan 19, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
1,995
Reaction score
7,529
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
2024 Ranger XLT, 4x2, Advance Tow, E-Locker
Occupation
Student
Best i can think of is. To pressure test it cold, see if it holds pressure. If not, definitely a leak. Just a matter of tracking it down. Maybe you had an air bubble with the repair you did, keep an eye on it, pressure tester can be rented at the autoparts stores usually. Just hard to find the adapters for newer vehicles. Or........harbor freight. I usually buy there because i do not work as a mechanic anymore. Just the family mechanic now.
 
OP
OP

SimonSaucy

Active Member
First Name
simon
Joined
Apr 13, 2026
Threads
6
Messages
31
Reaction score
16
Location
Uniter States Las Vegas
Vehicle(s)
2021 ford ranger STX
Occupation
engineer
On my way to Harbor freight to buy a tester right now. Just to make sure it’s not the tester.
I’m almost starting to think the EGR cooler might be the culprit. But we shall see.
 

Strapper

Well-Known Member
First Name
Greg
Joined
Oct 3, 2023
Threads
2
Messages
47
Reaction score
72
Location
Ontario
Vehicle(s)
2023 Ranger Lariat Crew Cab 5'
Occupation
Retired
On my way to Harbor freight to buy a tester right now. Just to make sure it’s not the tester.
I’m almost starting to think the EGR cooler might be the culprit. But we shall see.
I have a recall for a possible coolant leak at the block heater. Just a thought.
Sponsored

 
 








Top