the coolant level in my overflow bottle is constantly slowly going down, and after driving i smell coolant burning. there is no puddle of where it is leaking from, and the oil is not milky. I recently replaced the t stat and housing, but it is not leaking from there so idk. any ideas?

 

head gasket?

 

head gasket(s)/blown head(s)...did it overheat on you?

My 3.0 overheated and cracked one head and destroyed both head gaskets. Get that checked ASAP, because you are in for trouble.

 

Mine was doing the same thing and all it was just a loose hose clamp.

 

Intake manifold gaskets probably? Is the exhaust have a white color? Is the oil okay. If the oil is dirty its probably head gasket which is real bad. (and expensive) if the oil is good it could just possibly be an intake minifold gasket.

 

It maybe leaking from the freeze plugs too. I had that problem on a 89 F-150 I replaced everything dealing with the cooling on it. Finally found out that one of the freeze plugs was slightly leaking antifreeze.

 

It's a 3.0L nightmare common problem/issue.

The main front gasket leaks and the coolant will leak out slowly and usually end up leaking down onto the steering rack or down the lower rad hose.

Mine has had a slow leak for several years now, it's a PITA to change the seal. The entire front side of the engine needs to come off. A few people have gotten it fixed at the dealership, and they've paid around $1800 to get it done. Mine leaks from the seal behind the water pump. I just top up my coolant every now and then as it's a slow leak and really only leaks as the engine is cooling down. It doesn't leak while running.

 

Water pump failure?

 

Thanks, it turned out to do this, hopefully I will have it done by sometime next week

 

i have that seal issue right now

 

Mine has been having this issue too, but I can't find where it is coming from.

By "main front gasket", do you mean the water pump gasket? the valve cover gasket?

I can't find any signs of a coolant leak anywhere in the engine bay.