What does the coolant light on my Ford dashboard mean?

Your engine might be about to overheat. If your low coolant light is on, pull over in a safe area and wait for your engine temperature to go down. Once it’s safe to do so, bring your car to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care to have the coolant system inspected.

Can an antifreeze leak wait?

It's better to get it fixed sooner than later. Antifreeze is toxic if consumed, but its smell can attract cats and dogs. Keep your whole family safe by repairing antifreeze leaks ASAP and thoroughly hosing down your parking spot to get rid of any lingering residue on the ground.

Can Ford F-150 radiators be cleaned?

It could be a good idea to have your Ford F-150 radiator cleaned out a couple of times a year, maybe at the same time as a tire rotation or oil change.

What is causing my F-150 to overheat?

If your Ford F-150 engine overheats, it could be because of a clogged radiator, a damaged thermostat, a faulty cooling fan, a malfunctioning water pump, or low coolant levels.

Why does the radiator in my F-150 sound like it’s rumbling or boiling?

There could be air pockets in your F-150’s cooling system. You might also have a clogged radiator or faulty radiator cap (this last one is an easy fix!).

Is it bad to have rust on my F-150 radiator?

Yes. Rust in the radiator of your Ford F-150 can impair its cooling efficiency, cause leaks, and even result in complete failure of the radiator. Over time, rust can eat away at the radiator's cooling passages, forming tiny holes or cracks that can affect its operation. To help prevent rust from causing damage, you should stay on top of radiator maintenance.

1986 Ford F-150 Radiator Service

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Schedule Ford F-150 Radiator Service

Are rising engine temperatures causing rising stress levels for you? Cool it! Schedule your 1986 Ford F-150 radiator service or repair today.

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When Does My 1986 Ford F-150 Radiator Need Service?

It can be tough to know when to have your Ford F-150 radiator serviced if you don't know what it does, but it's still extremely important. As part of your car’s cooling system, your radiator helps keep engine temperature regulated. If your radiator isn’t functioning like it’s supposed to, the engine can overheat – or worse, break down.

Keeping up with regular radiator maintenance in your 1986 Ford F-150 is essential for long-term engine health. Ford recommends that you replace coolant (also called antifreeze) at certain intervals, but you can also take note of any signs your radiator is going bad. You could be on the verge of a radiator-induced engine breakdown if you notice leaking coolant, overheating, or an illuminated low coolant dashboard light. When you experience one or more of these issues, head to your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for a Courtesy Check.

What to Expect from Ford F-150 Radiator Repair

What happens during a radiator repair service? When you come to Firestone Complete Auto Care, we’ll begin your radiator repair with an in-depth inspection of the cooling system in your Ford F-150. Then, we’ll move on to a machine-powered coolant exchange. Finally, we’ll refill the flushed sealants, lubricants and chemicals, then do a pressure check to catch any possible leaks.

Radiator problems often go hand in hand with water pump problems. Some services for your 1986 Ford F-150 engine can wait, but the water pump is one part that you'll want to have repaired or replaced as soon as you discover a problem with it. The role of the water pump is to keep coolant circulating in your engine, radiator, and hoses. If it isn’t functioning properly, your engine won’t be able to stay within its optimal temperature range. Our trained technicians can inspect your car’s radiator hoses and pumps to help make sure everything is in working order. When it comes to radiator service and repair, we’ll take excellent care of your 1986 Ford F-150 at Firestone Complete Auto Care. We stand behind our work with our Triple Promise: Fixed Right, Priced Right, Right on Time.

Questions About Ford F-150 Radiators

Take care of your 1986 Ford F-150 radiator and it will last. Check out our top questions and answers about Ford radiators below, and visit your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care at the first sign of an overheating engine.

What does the coolant light on my Ford dashboard mean? Your engine might be about to overheat. If your low coolant light is on, pull over in a safe area and wait for your engine temperature to go down. Once it’s safe to do so, bring your car to your nearest Firestone Complete Auto Care to have the coolant system inspected.
Can an antifreeze leak wait? It's better to get it fixed sooner than later. Antifreeze is toxic if consumed, but its smell can attract cats and dogs. Keep your whole family safe by repairing antifreeze leaks ASAP and thoroughly hosing down your parking spot to get rid of any lingering residue on the ground.
Can Ford F-150 radiators be cleaned? It could be a good idea to have your Ford F-150 radiator cleaned out a couple of times a year, maybe at the same time as a tire rotation or oil change.
What is causing my F-150 to overheat? If your Ford F-150 engine overheats, it could be because of a clogged radiator, a damaged thermostat, a faulty cooling fan, a malfunctioning water pump, or low coolant levels.
Why does the radiator in my F-150 sound like it’s rumbling or boiling? There could be air pockets in your F-150’s cooling system. You might also have a clogged radiator or faulty radiator cap (this last one is an easy fix!).
Is it bad to have rust on my F-150 radiator? Yes. Rust in the radiator of your Ford F-150 can impair its cooling efficiency, cause leaks, and even result in complete failure of the radiator. Over time, rust can eat away at the radiator's cooling passages, forming tiny holes or cracks that can affect its operation. To help prevent rust from causing damage, you should stay on top of radiator maintenance.