crunchie_frog
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- June 19, 2010
- Messages
- 682
- Reaction score
- 87
- City, State
- Johnson City, TN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- Multiple 99-00 5.0 AWD
I had an engine coolant leak coming down underneath the blower / evaporator core housing and dripping on the passenger side inside the wheel well cover. I looked from underneath and all I could see was the bottom the blower / evaporator core housing had coolant dripping from it so I thought it might be a heater core leak somehow even though there was no smell inside the cabin or leaks inside the cabin. I had done this job (heater core replacement) before on a previous 5.0 Mountaineer but re-reviewed several videos and knew all the nuts, bolts and their locations by heart to remove the dash and heater core so I started the job yesterday evening after work, sort of dreading what I was getting into. I started with backing out the blower / evaporator core housing and disconnecting the heater control valve and heater hoses. As I was backing out the blower / evaporator core housing, the plastic end tubing on the firewall side of heater valve gave way and broke into. The blower housing / evaporator core housing insulation was wet under where this plastic tubing was and it looked like it had been leaking down from there and then following the housing around and dropping out on the passenger side. I also looked behind the blower / evaporator housing and could not see any evidence of a leak back inside there where the air flow was or underneath the heater core. I replaced the heater control valve and the short hose between the heater control valve and the heater core tube coming through the firewall and no more leaks. Glad I did not have to remove the dash and the "4th nut" directly behind the engine and replace the heater core. All is well that ends well I guess. At least I can say I was mentally ready to replace the heater core, have the process memorized now.... ha ha.