For quite a few months, I had been smelling anti-freeze. I took the truck to my local Ford dealer for a pressure check & they could not find a leak. I had to add coolant about once a month, but never saw a puddle anywhere. The floor in my garage was always dry. After going through another gallon of anti-freeze about a quart at a time, I took it back to the dealer. The intake manifold had a small crack. It's made of what seems to be a plastic material. Over the miles & years, the aluminum heads & plastic manifold expand & contract at different rates, causing the manifold to crack. The only reason I can think for using a plastic manifold is for weight savings. IMO, it wouldn't have been a problem if it were also aluminum. The replacement part alone cost over $400.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
For quite a few months, I had been smelling anti-freeze. I took the truck to my local Ford dealer for a pressure check & they could not find a leak. I had to add coolant about once a month, but never saw a puddle anywhere. The floor in my garage was always dry. After going through another gallon of anti-freeze about a quart at a time, I took it back to the dealer. The intake manifold had a small crack. It's made of what seems to be a plastic material. Over the miles & years, the aluminum heads & plastic manifold expand & contract at different rates, causing the manifold to crack. The only reason I can think for using a plastic manifold is for weight savings. IMO, it wouldn't have been a problem if it were also aluminum. The replacement part alone cost over $400.
- Mike S., Kansas City, MO, US