Weird overheat

[bobflood]

1998Exp is largely correct. Mine leaked slowly for several years before it got bad enough that I had to fix it.

As best I recall, removing the balancer did require an impact gun to remove the bolt and a puller to remove the balancer. I also took out the radiator (a PITA to get back in because of the clips) to provide more room. I also dropped the oil pan far enough to snake in a new oil pan gasket. I have access to a lift and air tools, which made the job a lot easier to do. Good luck.

 

[jtre]

Hoping it's not the timing cover gasket then, the water pump seems to be a tough job but at least doable with my skills. The good news is, I do not currently see any coolant or dried coolant stains in that area, seems to be coming from a lower part of the center of my engine. A pressure test and some UV will definitely help my find it. Should I fill my truck with coolant (imp recommends to fill it with coolant as opposed to straight distilled water to test for a leak) when I pressure test the system today?

 

[jtre]

Update: looks like the pump, leaking from the gasket where the pump meets the block...this view is from the driver side wheel well...does anyone have experience with GMB pumps? https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...97/make/mercury/model/mountaineer?prefilter=1

 

[SWIGIN]

Looks more like timing cover to me but lets say it is not. When you get all the water pump bolts out ( some of those hold on the timing cover) the old dry rotten timing cover gasket will typically get disturbed nd leak when you get the pump back on.

I went ahead and bought a new timing cover and a water pump bolt kit (just to have on hand) for my 98 5.0 since a few of the pump bolts like to break or you need to break the timing cover to remove them.

It's not a terrible job to replace a water pump but you need to be ready in case you need to replace the cover too.

 

[SWIGIN]

I forgot to add, your over heating sounds to me like a randomly sticking T-stat.

 

[jtre]

Looks more like timing cover to me but lets say it is not. When you get all the water pump bolts out ( some of those hold on the timing cover) the old dry rotten timing cover gasket will typically get disturbed nd leak when you get the pump back on.

I went ahead and bought a new timing cover and a water pump bolt kit (just to have on hand) for my 98 5.0 since a few of the pump bolts like to break or you need to break the timing cover to remove them.

It's not a terrible job to replace a water pump but you need to be ready in case you need to replace the cover too.

should be fun, im sure i could figure out the TC cover if advance has a harmonic balancer removal tool for rent

 

[jtre]

I forgot to add, your over heating sounds to me like a randomly sticking T-stat.

ill probably replace that in the process. Never done this repair, but i have a haynes manual that offers an in car procedure for the TC as opposed to removing the engine