Coolant low and changing color

[Samson16]

Help my logic please. The fluid can have trapped air that escapes, lowering the level at the mark, or it’s leaking out. Correct? Discoloration indicates heat exposure or contamination typically?

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[JExpedition07]

Looks like the PowerBoost has an exhaust heat exchanger after I actually read the thread. Perhaps this is just a function of the high temperatures the coolant faces and is a non-issue OR that heat exchanger is letting gasses contaminate the coolant.

 

[nitrobass24]

Powerboost @ 42k miles.
Definitely gets low over time, had it checked for leaks, nothing of note, just ended up having the dealer top it off.
Mine also is darker as well, but I never thought it was much to worry about.

I have a small fleet of diesel trucks for my business and during the summer here in TX we are always topping off with coolant. Have to remember its part water...which does evaporate...

 

[Samson16]

Looks like the PowerBoost has an exhaust heat exchanger after I actually read the thread. Perhaps this is just a function of the high temperatures the coolant faces and is a non-issue OR that heat exchanger is letting gasses contaminate the coolant.

Yes it does. It's function is to help achieve engine operating temperature quickly in order to maximize electric only operation. It's Fuel economy related, but it took awhile to figure that out. I thought it was a magical HVB heating device at first lol. There is no exhaust/coolant interaction but they can stick open, closed, or leak though.

 

[Samson16]

Powerboost @ 42k miles.
Definitely gets low over time, had it checked for leaks, nothing of note, just ended up having the dealer top it off.
Mine also is darker as well, but I never thought it was much to worry about.

I have a small fleet of diesel trucks for my business and during the summer here in TX we are always topping off with coolant. Have to remember its part water...which does evaporate...

Perhaps like a plastic water bottle, the water molecules can leach out over time as well ?‍

 

[PowerboostedF150]

Dealing with a low coolant / color change and no apparent leaks hear as well. I do have a squeaking Heat Exchanger but I have felt all around it and there is no evidence of leaks or residue of a leak. So, from my understanding:

lower than MIN coolant could be one or more of the following:

1. Coolant is leaking out somewhere (not in my case)
2. Coolant is leaking in somewhere (maybe my case, but no indications other than color change)
3. Coolant is evaporating inside closed system? (converting from liquid to gas thus lowering the level?)

Could the squeak of the Heat exchange be an indication of coolant leaking in to the exhaust pipe? is it flooding the valve module perhaps? I don't have an asbuilt for the HE, so don't know if that could be a possibility. From the outside, the HE seems to have a small radiator beside the exhaust pipe. With the valve closed, does the exhaust travel through the inside of that radiator?

 

[Gros Ventre]

RE: the squeek... Keep in mind that you can have a leak or a crack thay either closes up when hot or opens up when hot. My instincts tell me you're dealing with a minor crack into the exhaust system open only when hot. Thus you don't see any leakage because it evaporates into the exhaust system and goes away as a gas. When you shut down the crack cools closing up and you see no leakage or dripage anywhere (these can even pass a pressure test). I've had the discoloration and did a chemical analysis that returned as "No detectable exhaust" and no indication of other problems... They didn't like the color but couldn't identify anything.

 

[UGADawg96]

Noticed this while changing the oil today @25k miles. I'll probably just monitor it for a little while. It is like the color of dark piss. The other tank is Gatorade nuclear yellow.

 

[UGADawg96]

Noticed this while changing the oil today @25k miles. I'll probably just monitor it for a little while. It is like the color of dark piss. The other tank is Gatorade nuclear yellow.

To add, felt around the heat exchanger area and the two tubes and it all felt dry.

@Snakebitten - would you suggest just topping it off and keeping an eye on it every few weeks ?

 

[Samson16]

Is th

Noticed this while changing the oil today @25k miles. I'll probably just monitor it for a little while. It is like the color of dark piss. The other tank is Gatorade nuclear yellow.

Is the coolant dark, or does it look dark through the plastic reservoir? I wonder if heat changes the plastic a bit?

 

[UGADawg96]

Is th

Is the coolant dark, or does it look dark through the plastic reservoir? I wonder if heat changes the plastic a bit?

My concern isn't really the color, but the level showing below the min mark. The top tank looks like dark piss or apple juice to me. The picture posted shows the color accurately and is the same color as the OP's picture. The lower/right tank (not shown) is bright yellow like Gatorade like the color in this post

To add, the color has been off probably since the first few months of ownership two years ago, but this is the first time I've noticed the level drop.

 

[Samson16]

My concern isn't really the color, but the level showing below the min mark. The top tank looks like dark piss or apple juice to me. The picture posted shows the color accurately and is the same color as the OP's picture. The lower/right tank (not shown) is bright yellow like Gatorade like the color in this post

To add, the color has been off probably since the first few months of ownership two years ago, but this is the first time I've noticed the level drop.

I’m just thinking out loud. Two similarly constructed plastic containers with the same liquid in them, but one is heated to 100 degrees and the other to 200 degrees. What changes occur? Does the plastic container change? Does 200 degree water leach out through the plastic? Does the coolant sacrifice itself electrically and change color in the process, or is it being overheated by the turbo heat exchanger when very hot oil runs next to it?
Obviously time to stop rambling. I smell breakfast is ready ?

 

[UGADawg96]

I’m just thinking out loud. Two similarly constructed plastic containers with the same liquid in them, but one is heated to 100 degrees and the other to 200 degrees. What changes occur? Does the plastic container change? Does 200 degree water leach out through the plastic? Does the coolant sacrifice itself electrically and change color in the process, or is it being overheated by the turbo heat exchanger when very hot oil runs next to it?
Obviously time to stop rambling. I smell breakfast is ready ?

There are many threads on both the color and low level issue just searching "coolant" in titles only. Other than potential heat exchanger issues if the tank is empty, not many answers when tank is just slightly low.

 

[UGADawg96]

Guess I'm going to WM to pick up some coolant today.

Is there a non-motorcraft, specific spec, or supertech version to get other than 50/50 premix ?

 

[Samson16]

There are many threads on both the color and low level issue just searching "coolant" in titles only. Other than potential heat exchanger issues if the tank is empty, not many answers when tank is just slightly low.

Couldn't find answers for the discoloration either.

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