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'2013 F250 radiator replace and FordService

28K views 58 replies 35 participants last post by  MBoggs4388 
#1 ·
I wanted to say "Thank You!" to FordService (Crystal) for her assistance on getting my radiator replaced. Dealer initially wanted $2100 to replace as I am out of warranty. I noticed other posts regarding this issue, and saw that FordService had helped others. She got involved, and I ended up paying a "deductible" of about $600. I really appreciate the help.

Thank you Crystal!!!!!

Joe
:thumbsup::ford:
 
#3 ·
Crystal... you're very popular on this forum. Ford has stepped up as well for replacing my radiator, but I'm interested in knowing why this is happening to me and other? What's causing these failures? And has there been a correction from 2011 to current date?
 
#5 ·
thanks for the quick response, I have been in touch with my local Ford Rep and he also pushed me over to my dealer. (Your upper management has to be pretty happy how all of you stand firm on not getting into the weeds when it comes to specific issues). And then I talked to the dealer and they tell me what has been confirmed in these forums that EGR issues and cooler problems are a big problem. The only saving grace with all of this is, that every diesel truck made today has these issues. I can live with that but what I can't live with is the faulty radiator FORD and others put into 60-70,000 trucks! And why they have plastic pieces incorporated in the design.

I hope that eventually either Ford, Chevy or Dodge figure out on how to make a reliable diesel truck. But in the mean time, I and all the people you have helped out great appreciate your assistance.
 
#6 ·
Plastic end tank/aluminum core radiators are industry wide and in lawn equipment up to 600 HP trucks and large farm tractors. The plastic end tanks may have a shorter life but all metal radiators of the past were not without fatigue cracks as a widespread issue. The higher pressures used in many cooling systems today would likely create earlier onset and more frequent issues with cracks on those old design radiators.
There is something else is happening here.
The core support design changed with the 2008 model Super Duty revisions and the core support is open across the area where radiator mounts. If you have had a radiator failure I would wager that the underside of your hood has oval pattern where the rubber bumper contacts. Those with over 50K miles and no radiator problems likely have just a round scuff pattern for those hood bumpers.
Some trucks that have had the aluminum end tank all welded, all aluminum radiators have had those radiators leak and have physical damage.
 
#7 ·
thanks I appreciate your feedback, My personal opinion just tells me that a plastic bond on metal to me is a weak link. An all aluminum Mishimoto radiator style would be a better option, and I will bellowing at going that route if and when it occurs again, unless Ford has come out with better product. The mechanic working on my truck according to my dealer is one of the best in New Jersey. My dealer knows how I use my truck and the long distances into Canada I make with my truckcamper on the back of it, so when he was (I guess) draining the coolant so he could replace the EGR cooler, he noticed a leak running down the right side as you're looking at it from the front. He told me that he has done enough of these to know it was the radiator. We can send a probe to mars but we can't make a reliable radiator LOL
 
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#8 ·
You NEVER hear of a radiator on a gasser leak. :dunno:
 
#11 ·
You NEVER hear of a radiator on a gasser leak. :dunno:
I had to replace the radiator on my 1998 Ford Escort 4 years ago due to the seal between the tank and core seeping antifreeze. It was not an excessive amount but did have a noticeable drip. The car only had 120,000 miles on it.
 
#9 ·
NO.. I have never had a leak in any of the vehicles I have own, Honda, chevy's, Chrysler, 6 BMW's, Range Rover, Dodge Ram, Silverado... just Ford
 
#10 · (Edited)
I understand the problem to be the mounting system that flexes too much and not the radiator. Even the Mishimoto all aluminum radiators end up leaking unless they have redesigned them recently.
I did just check the Mishimoto site and they claim their radiator fixes the OEM leaking problem, but I have seen posts of leaking Mishimoto radiators.
 
#13 ·
My truck 2013 Ford SD F250 Platinum 4x4 with 53,302 miles on it, just went into the shop yesterday at Ford in Costa Mesa with a leaking radiator as it was diagnosed by Ford the same day. They called me back to tell me $1,987.54 to fix it.
I have read through all these post and wondering how I get mine taken care of. I am going in today to talk to them about it as all the research I have just done last night says its a HUGE problem they know about. Wondering how I get help on this as I'm sick to my stomach my 3 year old truck already needs a radiator. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
 
#14 ·
I also was helped through customer service initiated by crystal. My 2012 leaked at 44k, out of the 36k warranty but customer service got it covered. I paid $100. Cant say every situation will result that well, but this is a good place to try.
 
#16 ·
I really wish Ford would figure out some of these common problems that have been plaguing these trucks.

Just another example though of why I bought my Premium ESP. One radiator failure with rental car covers the purchase price. It's a chance one takes but I didn't want to deal with this crap that we shouldn't have to deal with from the get go.
 
#17 ·
Thank you Crystal and the Ford Service Team.
Crystal helped facilitate with the Regional Service Manager and my local Ford dealer to get my Radiator replaced in my 2012 F350 with 62K mi on it.
Original dealer estimate was $1600+, the Regional Service Manager contacted me in within 12 hours of my first reach out to Ford Service and offered to split the cost of replacement.
I will say Thank you again for a job well done.
 
#20 ·
Don't want to piss on anybody's campfire here but I think if you research the site you will find many of these radiator repairs were performed out of warranty for $100 deductible. Mine went out at 51K and that is the deal I got. It is a bad design whatever the root cause and something Ford should have fixed years ago. Wonder how many of these affected truck owners have not challenged the repair cost and have plunked down anywhere from $1600-$2100 to replace the defective radiator. That is the real immoral side of the story...instead of saying "good idea during design but bad result in real world use" with the radiator design and as a result we, Ford, will extend warranty for $100 deductible for everyone who encounters the issue. Instead they use this wackamo approach to resolving issues where unless you ***** and get pissed you pay full price. And I know the local guys have their hands tied...so don't blame the dealer teams...unless Ford agrees to fund the repair they should not be held responsible for poor design. They just sell and fix them.
 
#21 ·
I'm dealing with this issue at the very moment. I have a 2013 F250 which overheated. Had it towed to the local Ford Dealership where I was told that the radiator needs to be replaced. $1700.
My mileage is 100,083. No extended warranty on my truck, only the original warranty which stopped 83 miles ago.
Through online research and asking questions, I have found that the common issue / complaint of this is a defective thermostat bypass. It cause pressure spikes in the cooling system which leads to radiator failure. So I'm wondering, could this have simply been resolved by changing the thermostat? I'm not a mechanic by any means.
Any help on giving me information about reducing the cost as was described in the first couple of posts would be greatly appreciated. At least knowing what to ask of my dealer would help.

Thanks All!
 
#22 ·
2013 F250 Platinum Radiator Leak

I have a 2013 F250 Platinum with only 44k miles on it that just started leaking antifreeze in the same location as the over 100 posts I've read. Why hasn't Ford acknowledged there is an issue? I have opened up a case, but after talking with my local service manager I'm not hopeful that it's going to be much help.
 
#25 ·
I have a 2013 F250 Platinum with only 44k miles on it that just started leaking antifreeze in the same location as the over 100 posts I've read. Why hasn't Ford acknowledged there is an issue? I have opened up a case, but after talking with my local service manager I'm not hopeful that it's going to be much help.
Can someone tell me how to contact ford service on here without PM. I'm new to this forum and would like to get a hold of them.
Hello RKHend,

Let’s look into this for you. Please, PM me with your VIN, dealer, mileage, full name, and best daytime number.

Hi, welcome and sorry your radiator like everyone else's blew out at 40k.
Click on ford service reply above.
This is so sad
Look at their posts, at the bottom you will see an 800 number, facebook and twitter points of contacts.
Thank you for the mention and support, guys!

Deysha
 
#24 ·
Look at their posts, at the bottom you will see an 800 number, facebook and twitter points of contacts.
 
#27 ·
At this point, you have two choices. get it fixed on your dime, or sell the truck.
 
#28 ·
2014 F-250 Cracked Radiator

Just received word from my dealership that I have a cracked radiator in my 2014 F-250 with 70K miles. Asked the service department if this was covered based off our discussion about it being the first they had seen in a diesel and the answer was no. Can anyone point me in the right direction as this does not seem like it should happen to a 3 year old truck?


Thanks!
 
#32 ·
Just received word from my dealership that I have a cracked radiator in my 2014 F-250 with 70K miles. Asked the service department if this was covered based off our discussion about it being the first they had seen in a diesel and the answer was no. Can anyone point me in the right direction as this does not seem like it should happen to a 3 year old truck?

Thanks!
Have you been able to get this addressed with your dealer, sfisher09?

Deysha
 
#29 ·
Don't expect much from Ford Service in regards to them being your saving grace over Ford's radiator problem. The people you see getting away with $100-$600 repair "deductibles" are far and few between. I had (or have) a bad radiator in my 2013 F250, I was told it was leaking after having my truck in for warranty work after the water pump took a dump. They quoted me around $2000 and I jumped on the Ford Service band wagon, too. Ford Service stepped in, for sure. They got the dealer to knock $180 bucks off the $2000 quote. They told me that was the best they could do, and wouldn't let me talk to anyone higher than a manager at Ford Service. When I asked the service manager at the dealership why all these other people were getting, effectively $1200-$1400 worth of assistance from Ford, I was told basically that because I don't spend money on the Service Department (service work done, warranty work done, buy service/warranty plans), they won't offer as much assistance.

So, unless you're just stupid lucky, or shovel money into the Ford Service machine, don't bet on Ford Service helping you out. I apologized tremendously to the Ford Service manager for repairing & maintaining my own vehicles, I was unaware that my wallet needed to bleed blue before Ford would take *some* responsibility for non-wear & tear parts.
 
#30 ·
It just amazes me how Ford determines how they assist with the leaking radiator. My 2013 with 43000 miles had the leak still had a month left on the years for warranty and I was told since they didn't know how the truck was used they could not help me out. But if I fixed it through the dealer it would be covered by 2yr unlimited mileage warranty. I said sure but I can buy a lifetime warranty radiator for half the cost. Then I was asked how many Ford vehicles I currently own. So does it make a difference? So Ford doesn't stand behind their product that is for sure I bought a lifetime warranty radiator and all it good now without Ford's help for sure.
 
#31 ·
Anyone that buys these expensive trucks and don't buy the extended warranty is nuts........

My warranty is up in 2 years. I will be trading it in on a new one and I will buy the extended warranty again.......

1 repair like what is described here and you have paid for the warranty.
 
#34 · (Edited)
Ford Service I just sent you a privare message about same issue - need your assistance badly.
Hey Bonner49,

I replied to your message. Please check your inbox when you get a chance.

Let me know if you need anything else, and have a great day! :grin2:

Tricia
 
#35 ·
2015 6.7 Radiator Leak

Well, after 40,140 miles I find myself in the same situation as a lot of others...walk out to find a puddle of coolant under the driver side of the radiator.

Called ford and was issued a case number, called my local service manager and was told there is nothing that he can due until the 3rd week of January because he is out of discretionary funds until 2017. His advice, "just buy a jug of coolant and fill it up as it gets low."

Too say the least I am not very pleased with my local service manager and his attitude. The reservoir is completely empty after 5 days and the truck has not been started. I purchased the truck when I lived out of state and was told that if I had a longer history of buying Fords or had bought the truck from the local dealership, perhaps they could do more for me sooner. It's aggravating when you buy a truck that the sticker is 70k and get this type of service.
 
#37 ·
Well, after 40,140 miles I find myself in the same situation as a lot of others...walk out to find a puddle of coolant under the driver side of the radiator.

Called ford and was issued a case number, called my local service manager and was told there is nothing that he can due until the 3rd week of January because he is out of discretionary funds until 2017. His advice, "just buy a jug of coolant and fill it up as it gets low."

Too say the least I am not very pleased with my local service manager and his attitude. The reservoir is completely empty after 5 days and the truck has not been started. I purchased the truck when I lived out of state and was told that if I had a longer history of buying Fords or had bought the truck from the local dealership, perhaps they could do more for me sooner. It's aggravating when you buy a truck that the sticker is 70k and get this type of service.
Let me take a look at this for you, Lat28300. Please PM me with your VIN, dealer, full name, and best daytime number.

Deysha
 
#36 ·
Has anyone experienced the death wobble and then the radiator start to leak? My truck had the death wobble/shake once from hitting a dip/seam in the interstate at about 70 MPH and after that my radiator started leaking on the driver side. Frame flex much? I put 4 new Bilstein shocks and a Bilstein steering stabilizer in hopes to never have that issue again. The truck shook so bad that stuff in the door pockets and console pockets went flying everywhere. I just bought an $850 Mishimoto all aluminum radiator for my 2011. Fingers crossed that it lasts and no more death wobble.
 
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