Help Identifying these coolant part(s) on 2017 Ford Expedition XLT 3.5L V6 with EcoBoost

[Rev1024]

Hi Everyone,

Our 2017 Expedition XLT 3.5L V6 with Eco Boost with roughly 90k-95k in miles. When we took the car in for some recall work, the technician noticed there was a coolant leak, and wanted to bill us for 2 hours to try to find it. We aren't noticing any overheating and the coolant level looks good, so I'm guessing this is a slow leak. I'm pretty sure I found it in 5 minutes, on the Engine Coolant

I know this forum is filled with people who know far more about these vehicles than I do. Before I start dropping money on attempting to replace these parts, I want to see if others:
A) Agree that this does look like a culprit
B) Is this the upper hose I'm seeing in this photo coming off the expansion tank
C) What is that elbow piece in the photo with what looks like a worn gasket


If possible, I would prefer to just do the work myself

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hi Everyone,

Our 2017 Expedition XLT 3.5L V6 with Eco Boost with roughly 90k-95k in miles. When we took the car in for some recall work, the technician noticed there was a coolant leak, and wanted to bill us for 2 hours to try to find it. We aren't noticing any overheating and the coolant level looks good, so I'm guessing this is a slow leak. I'm pretty sure I found it in 5 minutes, on the Engine Coolant

I know this forum is filled with people who know far more about these vehicles than I do. Before I start dropping money on attempting to replace these parts, I want to see if others:
A) Agree that this does look like a culprit
B) Is this the upper hose I'm seeing in this photo coming off the expansion tank
C) What is that elbow piece in the photo with what looks like a worn gasket

View attachment 74945
If possible, I would prefer to just do the work myself

My 2015 leaked at that point.

The coolant reservoir nipple has a metal insert, and the outer plastic cracks.

The reservoir is called a degas bottle.

Do you have an extended warranty, as mine was covered under the Ford Premium Care service plan. Several other coolant hoses also leaked at the connectors, and were also replaced. I did not do the work.

 

[Rev1024]

Unfortunately, no extended warranty. You’re right that is the degas bottle. I didn’t find any other signs of leaking anywhere else. I just have to make sure I get the right hose, and figure out what that elbow and gasket are.
I appreciate the response.

 

[adamsdaddy]

Very common point of failure are the coolant lines going into the turbos. If you are lucky and only have a problem at the T connector then I’d suggest using Tasca online for Ford/Motorcraft parts. Hop on YouTube and you’ll find a video on replacing the expansion tank and many videos on replacing the turbo coolant line connectors.
I’ve built a library of YouTube videos but a great starting point is Fordtechmakulico’s channel.

This guys a bit slow in his delivery but you’ll get an idea of the parts that are involved.

The Most Misdiagnosed Coolant Leak on Ford 3.5L Eco boost Trucks

Dave Guggisberg shows how to fix the most common and most misdiagnosed coolant leak on Ford Eco Boost Trucks. The over flow tank tends to leak slowly sending...

youtu.be

 

[mygsris2slo4u]

I have/had this exact issue and previously paid a Ford Dealer to diagnose the leak. Even with a pressure test they were unable to find the source and told me (even wrote it on the service ticket), "turbo'd engines burn coolant."

At the next oil change which I decided to do myself, I found my fitting at the reservoir looking exactly like the picture posted above. My leak was at the factory plastic crimp and not the oring quick connection side. I replaced the hose with an OEM hose wanting to keep everything factory as the truck was only a few years old. That hose lasted 10k miles and is now leaking at the oring connection to the reservoir.

I still have not installed it, but I've given up on the OEM ford parts and ordered the following kit from Pegasus which eliminates to crap plastic quick connect and uses a silicone hose, aluminum barb adapter and hose clamps to resolve the issue. There are other kits available on amazon that seem to be cheaper now.

Silicone Hose Kit, Ford F150 5.0 / EcoBoost Reservoir, Black - Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies

Fix the leaky quick-disconnect elbow on the coolant tank of your 2011-14 Ford F150! Our kit replaces the clip joint with a reliable clamp-on black hose.

www.pegasusautoracing.com

 

[Rev1024]

Okay, so I ‘m going to necro this thread only to close this topic off. I ended up replacing the coolant reservoir line with an OEM replacement. I tried the Pegasus racing line, and after stretching, heating, and brute force I couldn’t get the line to fit on the degas bottle. If you could get it on, I have zero doubts it would be very snug and not leak. I replaced the upper and lower radiator hoses, because I was already in there. I replaced the water pump and thermostat because the Vehicle has over 125k miles, so I said might as well… I also replaced the A/C belt and the serpentine belt as well. If you replace the a/c belt, pull it over the backside of the crank shaft, put it over the a/c pulley. Then zip tie it to the top side crankshaft pulley, and align it with the ridges, grab a long socket wrench, I used my torque wrench that goes over 300 foot pounds, and cranked a few times and you’re done.

I got everything squared away, and tested the engine. No leaks!!! I was so happy! Then my wife came home after driving. I am now leaking coolant from the turbo motors… I found the leak last night after my wife had been driving the car. So I fixed one leak to only find another. I want to mention that the dealership assumed the leaking was only at the reservoir or the other radiator hoses.

F*}^ me! So after seeing online how expensive it is to can be to replace those at the dealership, I am going to drive it down to my in laws, where they have a vehicle lift, and take this apart again. I’m also going to replace the heater hose today. It wasn’t leaking, but I want to get this squared away for my wife.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Okay, so I ‘m going to necro this thread only to close this topic off. I ended up replacing the coolant reservoir line with an OEM replacement. I tried the Pegasus racing line, and after stretching, heating, and brute force I couldn’t get the line to fit on the degas bottle. If you could get it on, I have zero doubts it would be very snug and not leak. I replaced the upper and lower radiator hoses, because I was already in there. I replaced the water pump and thermostat because the Vehicle has over 125k miles, so I said might as well… I also replaced the A/C belt and the serpentine belt as well. If you replace the a/c belt, pull it over the backside of the crank shaft, put it over the a/c pulley. Then zip tie it to the top side crankshaft pulley, and align it with the ridges, grab a long socket wrench, I used my torque wrench that goes over 300 foot pounds, and cranked a few times and you’re done.

I got everything squared away, and tested the engine. No leaks!!! I was so happy! Then my wife came home after driving. I am now leaking coolant from the turbo motors… I found the leak last night after my wife had been driving the car. So I fixed one leak to only find another. I want to mention that the dealership assumed the leaking was only at the reservoir or the other radiator hoses.

F*}^ me! So after seeing online how expensive it is to can be to replace those at the dealership, I am going to drive it down to my in laws, where they have a vehicle lift, and take this apart again. I’m also going to replace the heater hose today. It wasn’t leaking, but I want to get this squared away for my wife.

In my 50+ years of vehicle ownership and driving, I have no doubt that Ford’s Ecoboost engines are very prone to leaking engine coolant - from a variety of places. I have NEVER owner a vehicle that leaked engine coolant so much, from a variety of locations. I bought my 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4 new, and it has only been used for passenger use.

The water pump, several heater hose fittings, the degas bottle, and one turbo cooling line / fitting leaked engine coolant on my vehicle - at different times. All repaired at the dealer. Twice, the dealer said they could not find the leak, and I had to return the vehicle and insist they examine it thoroughly.

Good luck on your work and repairs.