ok i have a 2005 f250 6.0l with 151000 miles on it. Recently i noticed a leak from the front passenger side of the truck so i climbed under there and looked and i believe its a radiator drain plug leaking. It is definatly coolant coming out but i tried to take the plug out and i just cant get it to budge. i was looking on the drivers side and it looks like the exact same plug over there so is there actually 2 drain plugs or are these not even drain plugs. Has anyone else had this problem if so please let me know what you did. I checked my coolant resavoir and it was almost completely empty so i will just keep refilling it until i can figure this out. the thing is right above 2 lines im not sure what they are maybe airconditioning or something but they make it even harder to get to the plug because they damn near are right up against the thing. Anyhow i could post a pic of the problem area but i have no idea how to post a pic if you tell me how i would be more than glad to put one on here though.

 

It's the plug on the radiator we're talking about right? That is definitely the radiator drain. Have you tried putting a wrench on it? It's plastic right? The two lines by it are lines for the trans cooler if I'm not mistaken. Bob is far more familiar with this area than I am.

As for the emptying of the coolant reservoir, we can only hope that it's caused from the leak right there, that would be the best outcome. Only fill to the "min" line on the bottle, that's the new "max" if you don't have the new sticker on there.

 

yeah its plastic i tried getn on it with some needle nose pliers because it has like a rubber boot around it but i couldnt get it to turn with the pliers and im not sure i can get a wrench on it with that rubber boot but i will try when i get off work.

 

Can you get a picture? I'm not sure what you mean by rubber boot? Mine is a hex head plastic plug, looks just like a plastic bolt.

 

yeah i could but im not sure how to put a pic on here can you tell me.

 

I host everything on photobucket first. Save it to your computer, go to photobucket, create an account, load it up there and then it will give you a link to post here.

 

ok i think i did it right you can actually see the coolant dripn in the pic

 

If I'm not mistaken that is not a drain plug, it looks like that is just the grommet that supports the bottom of he radiator, there is one just like it on pass side right? if that is coming straight out of the bottom toward the ground then it is not your issue, it is just the lowest point for the water to escape.
On the drivers side there is a white plastic plug that is horizontal with hex on it, it can also be loosened with an allen wrench/forget what size/when you loosen it it drains straight out of bottom, acts just like a water spigot. loosen it up a couple turns then retighten it, remember its plastic so don't over do it, they have an oring so if its a little loose it can leak, worst case you might have to replace the oring. Double check the hose clamps on the hoses while you are there, one of those could be loose. If none of that cures it then you might have a pinhole in the rad.

 

Yeah, listen to what Bob just said.

 

ok so i climbed under the truck just now and everything is dry except right there in that pic. It seems like its coming around that rubber boot around that grommet. Should i try some of that radiator stop leak i heard some guys say that stuff is bad news then others think its great so im just not sure what to do i really dont want to replace the rad but if thats the only option i guess i will have to do it.