GEN 1 Coolant tank & Vacuum line

I just picked up a 2010 Raptor yesterday morning. Drove it home 40 miles and then later on we went to go watch some collage football at a friends house. So we stopped by a grocery store to grab a few things and on my way out to the truck I noticed a puddle under the truck. It was a clear liquid like water and didn't have a oily texture to it or a smell that I could smell. Went to my friends house couldn't see the leak anywhere. Had to leave to go check on the dogs that we left at home and on my way there the check brake system light came on as well as the traction control light, e-brake light and hill descent fault. I'm suppose to take it back tomorrow and have the dealer look at it but I was outside looking around and found a plug for the brake booster that has 2 vacuum ports under it that don't have lines attached. And I line nearby that has a screw in the end of it to cap it off. I checked the rear wheels speed sensors and they appear to be fine and I don't think there is any water in the 3 brake light, which is what I normally see being the cause of this issue. And I believe the puddle under the truck came from the coolant tank, the little ball hinge piece that the cap is connected to that keeps it attached when you open the cap appears to be leaking. There is also some sludge like material in the coolant tank, should I be alarmed by that?

I have pictures to post of the vacuum lines and where I believe the leak is on the coolant tank is, as well as some sludge on my finger. What should these vacuum lines be attached to and is the part I think is leaking look like its not seated all the way down?

After doing some more googling I realized the vacuum lines are for the IWE's. But after walking outside and looking it appears a previous owner has installed a IWE Eliminator kit.

*Another update, went out and got in the truck to take it to the dealer to check out all the brake lights on the dash and within 15 feet of leaving the house all the lights went off. Still going to take it up there at some point to have them check it out. But I drove it around a little bit and they didn't come back on.

Probably a wheel speed sensor

That's some funky looking sludge, how does the radiator look?

Also that's the wrong color anti freeze, it's supposed to be orange if your wanting to use OEM anti freeze.
I bet some one use tap water to fill up or top off the coolant, because you have mold/algae as well.
A serious coolant flush is in order!!!

You may want to stick with the OEM antifreeze.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BNVK1NQ/?tag=fordraptorforum-20

That's what I was thinking. Told the dealer that and they are going to check them when I bring it in next week. I did find the passenger front sensor wire dangling close to the suspension, so I zip tied it out of the way. Maybe it got pinched and caused the lights to come on is what I'm thinking. I'm going to inspect the wire when I get the free time.

beadblaster said:

Probably a wheel speed sensor

Click to expand...

Sludge material to me looks like your head gasket might be compromised? Looks like oil mixed with the coolant. My old 7.3 powerstroke had similar looking sludge in the coolant tank.

I would probably do a coolant pressure test. Also check for water in the oil?

alcoolaid said:

Sludge material to me looks like your head gasket might be compromised? Looks like oil mixed with the coolant. My old 7.3 powerstroke had similar looking sludge in the coolant tank.

I would probably do a coolant pressure test. Also check for water in the oil?

Click to expand...

I will check into doing a pressure test. But I didn't see any water in the oil the other day when I checked the oil of it. But I will double check it again tomorrow. Could it be the oil cooler leaking causing some oil to get into the coolant? I seen that as a possible scenario when doing some google searches about the sludge. But you also find people saying its normal for the motorcraft gold coolant which is what I assume is in there. But I will defiantly check into doing a pressure check.

MTF said:

That's some funky looking sludge, how does the radiator look?

Also that's the wrong color anti freeze, it's supposed to be orange if your wanting to use OEM anti freeze.
I bet some one use tap water to fill up or top off the coolant, because you have mold/algae as well.
A serious coolant flush is in order!!!

You may want to stick with the OEM antifreeze.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BNVK1NQ/?tag=fordraptorforum-20

Click to expand...

After I check into doing a pressure check and making sure I don't have a leaking head gasket, I may flush the system out and fill it up with the orange coolant. I already have a almost full jug here at the house from where I had to top off my Shelby. I will just go to the ford dealer down the street and get however much more I need.

gatorfan462 said:

I will check into doing a pressure test. But I didn't see any water in the oil the other day when I checked the oil of it. But I will double check it again tomorrow. Could it be the oil cooler leaking causing some oil to get into the coolant? I seen that as a possible scenario when doing some google searches about the sludge. But you also find people saying its normal for the motorcraft gold coolant which is what I assume is in there. But I will defiantly check into doing a pressure check.

Click to expand...

You're correct that oil/coolant could be mixing from other areas as well. A check of the dipstick usually won't show any water or coolant because the water settles to the bottom of the oil pan. A better way is to crack loose the oil drain bolt and slowly unscrew it while letting some liquid escape. If you see water in the first bit then that might be a bad sign.

You may want to think about doing a coolant flush with Fleetguard restore & restore plus, clean out the resevoir then putting fresh coolant in. Drive it for a while and monitor the coolant situation.

This is exactly why every couple of years I pull off my coolant tanks and use a garden hose inside and then shake well! No matter what you do this crap builds up or the clear tanks these days start turning orange and you think the coolant is shot!