[kwazikwazi]

2016 F-250 6.7L Powerstroke, 50,000 miles. All of a sudden a "Coolant change required" warning message is popping up. I just brought it back from a dealer because it has a very slow coolant leak that nobody can trace but that requires topping up every six months. They said the truck is in working order, no issues and cannot trace the leak even after tests when warm or cold the next morning. I just checked and the coolant level is not low. Anyone know what this message is about and what to do about it? Thanks!

 

[HeavyAssault]

Are you sure it was Change Coolant? I know there's a routine Check Coolant Additive message.

 

[kwazikwazi]

Are you sure it was Change Coolant? I know there's a routine Check Coolant Additive message.

Thanks for replying! The exact message is "Coolant change required".

 

[HeavyAssault]

Okay...We will get back to that.

Can you see anyplace that the coolant is leaking from on the truck??

 

[kwazikwazi]

Thanks for replying! The exact message is "Coolant change required".

Here is a shot on my phone.

 

[HeavyAssault]

From the manual:
Coolant Change At specific mileage intervals, as listed in the scheduled maintenance information,the coolant should be changed. The optional information display, if equipped,will also display the message COOLANT CHANGE REQUIRED at this time.See Capacities and Specifications

Every 105000 miles

7 Initial change is at six years or 105000 miles (168000 kilometers), then every three years or 45000 miles (72000 kilometers).

 

[HeavyAssault]

Okay...that's weird. And the dealership said it's good to go?? Did they see the message??

 

[kwazikwazi]

Okay...that's weird. And the dealership said it's good to go?? Did they see the message??

I took it to the dealer a few weeks back because I noticed that the coolant level was low. Every six months it is low and it has to be topped up. They tested it under pressure etc. both the same day and the next morning (cold) and could not find a leak and could not explain why it needs to be topped up. Now I am getting this message. I mean, the truck has 50,000 miles on it and I have not hauled anything past 6,000lbs since 20,000 miles or so. I have never heard of a coolant change at 50,000 miles, have you?

 

[HeavyAssault]

No...but it's weird it popped up after the dealership visit. It's usually a timed/mileage event....think like it's an appointment reminder. Maybe they triggered something if they hooked up the IDS to check for codes?

So they topped off the coolant while they checked it out??

 

[kwazikwazi]

No...but it's weird it popped up after the dealership visit. It's usually a timed/mileage event....think like it's an appointment reminder. Maybe they triggered something if they hooked up the IDS to check for codes?

So they topped off the coolant while they checked it out??

Ah, I understand. Yes, they topped it off, just like six months ago they topped it off as well (when I had the oil changed at the same time).

 

[HeavyAssault]

I'm not 100% sure: Well maybe the system is able to tell the coolant needs a full change. I highly doubt it does that, but I can't say I know 100%. Sorry to be on the fence on that one, some things are possible I'd guess.

I'd have to double check the Info display menus to see if there is a way to clear that message as in you did the maintenance action. I know there are some maintenance items we can "clear" the alerts or at least reset them so they pop on correct time or mileage. (like the oil changes, or coolant additive checks)

It's up to you : Clear the alert in the menus (or hope you did), see if it pops up again. Or just go get them to flush the coolant.
Now you could just get some big containers, pull the lower hoses, dump as much coolant out the primary and secondary systems as possible. Fill with Motorcraft coolant of the correct flavor by your manual. But that might not stop the alert messages from popping up......hence a dealer visit (short of a menu option you can use)

 

[kwazikwazi]

I'm not 100% sure: Well maybe the system is able to tell the coolant needs a full change. I highly doubt it does that, but I can't say I know 100%. Sorry to be on the fence on that one, some things are possible I'd guess.

I'd have to double check the Info display menus to see if there is a way to clear that message as in you did the maintenance action. I know there are some maintenance items we can "clear" the alerts or at least reset them so they pop on correct time or mileage. (like the oil changes, or coolant additive checks)

It's up to you : Clear the alert in the menus (or hope you did), see if it pops up again. Or just go get them to flush the coolant.
Now you could just get some big containers, pull the lower hoses, dump as much coolant out the primary and secondary systems as possible. Fill with Motorcraft coolant of the correct flavor by your manual. But that might not stop the alert messages from popping up......hence a dealer visit (short of a menu option you can use)

I am more worried about something being wrong with the coolant itself.

 

[HeavyAssault]

Well that's where you make the decision. Try to reset the message alone, see if it stays away. If it returns next time you drive, flush the coolant. If it stays away...you can decide to flush or not to flush.
I'm thinking you cannot remove the message without the Ford IDS.

Did you buy the truck brand new??

 

[kwazikwazi]

Well that's where you make the decision. Try to reset the message alone, see if it stays away. If it returns next time you drive, flush the coolant. If it stays away...you can decide to flush or not to flush.
I'm thinking you cannot remove the message without the Ford IDS.

Did you buy the truck brand new??

Yes. In the existence of the truck I had to deal with TSB 16-0041, a failed water pump at 18,000 miles, a rusted back seat mechanism, a left lean bank sensor at 32,000 miles, magically and untraceably disappearing coolant and this message, a battery clamp that corroded away, a loud whistle inside the cab - all in 50,000 miles and having owned multiple vehicles (including gasser and diesel trucks), I have never heard of having to replace coolant at 50,000 miles. Super duty my arse, this is the first and last Ford I have ever owned. Too bad, I really want to like this truck, I know people drive them for hundreds of thousands of miles - but boy, what a lemon.

 

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Yes. In the existence of the truck I had to deal with TSB 16-0041, a failed water pump at 18,000 miles, a rusted back seat mechanism, a left lean bank sensor at 32,000 miles, magically and untraceably disappearing coolant and this message, a battery clamp that corroded away, a loud whistle inside the cab - all in 50,000 miles and having owned multiple vehicles (including gasser and diesel trucks), I have never heard of having to replace coolant at 50,000 miles. Super duty my arse, this is the first and last Ford I have ever owned. Too bad, I really want to like this truck, I know people drive them for hundreds of thousands of miles - but boy, what a lemon.

I know the previous owner of my 6.7 had a coolant leak of the turn line. However, the leak they had he said they had to pressure test the truck bone cold because the thought was it is evaporating when the truck is still hot. Not sure if this is your problem, but it’s not very comforting to have a truck and take a “could not diagnose” repair with you out of the warranty period.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kwazikwazi]

I know the previous owner of my 6.7 had a coolant leak of the turn line. However, the leak they had he said they had to pressure test the truck bone cold because the thought was it is evaporating when the truck is still hot. Not sure if this is your problem, but it’s not very comforting to have a truck and take a “could not diagnose” repair with you out of the warranty period.

Because the truck had so many problems during factory warranty, I spent $2K on a Ford extended warranty. They did test the truck both hot and cold the next morning and still could not find a leak. When I asked how come it needs coolant top-up every six months or so, they had no explanation.

 

[Macd7919]

Primary or secondary system? If secondary, have you tested the intercooler? They are known to eventually get a pin hole leak internally. You most likely will never see anything “wet” because the coolant drip gets sucked right into the engine. Might be something to look into, it’s somewhat common.

 

[kwazikwazi]

Primary or secondary system? If secondary, have you tested the intercooler? They are known to eventually get a pin hole leak internally. You most likely will never see anything “wet” because the coolant drip gets sucked right into the engine. Might be something to look into, it’s somewhat common.

I observed the need to add coolant by just looking at the levels in the coolant tank in the engine. About every 6 months ends up below minimum and needs to be topped off. Can you explain the difference between primary and secondary system - do they have different coolants and ways to check their levels? Thanks!

 

[Macd7919]

The primary tank is the one on the driver side, closest to the firewall. The secondary tank is at the front of the vehicle, near the radiator. One cools the engine, the other cools the intercooler and transmission. Here are schematics of the two systems:

Primary:

Secondary:

 

[kwazikwazi]

The primary tank is the one on the driver side, closest to the firewall. The secondary tank is at the front of the vehicle, near the radiator. One cools the engine, the other cools the intercooler and transmission.

Thanks! I am going to take photos, mark them and post them here so I can confirm I understand the schematics