01 explorer, leaking coolant, top left motor

[Veg]

First timer "threading"
Registered 2001 Ford Explorer 4x4 Eddie Bauer
(manufactured 09/2000) apparently this date means something when ordering parts?
Motor V6 4.0 SOHC
84,000 original miles
All of a sudden found coolant dripping down onto passenger side exhaust manifold.
Coolant tank empty, radiator low with coolant
No over heating, runs great
Oil nice and brown like it should be
After further invesigation and the internet "determined" it to be Thermostate Housing
Bought the complete kit, Housing, Thermostate, two sensors, etc
Watched the videos, took our time, bla bla bla
Started it up, and with in three minutes leaking started....

I said all that to ask this..
What else could be leaking coolant?
I am having a hard time determining if there is "coolant" associated with the intake manifold with this motor?
Trying to determine if the "repair" has a leak OR is there something else there?
Going to get the pressure testing equipment and try that next.

Thanks in advance
Veg

 

[Mbrooks420]

You’re posted in the 2011-2019 forum.

Are you sure it’s not the heater core hoses or heater control valves?

Is the thermostat housing you purchased plastic?

I do believe the intake seals some of the coolant passages, but I’m not positive. I’m sure someone more familiar with the SOHC wilL know for certain.

 

[Veg]

Sorry I'll delete ASAP as soon as I figure out how too
Also
Didn't mean to be an embrassment to the entire forum.

Not sure about the Heater hoses, thought they were more to the back and side of the motor. All coolant was toward the front and down the side. There is very little in the "valley" but mostly runs down the side from what appears to be the near the thermostats housing

 

[Mbrooks420]

Sorry I'll delete ASAP as soon as I figure out how too
Also
Didn't mean to be an embrassment to the entire forum.

Not sure about the Heater hoses, thought they were more to the back and side of the motor. All coolant was toward the front and down the side. There is very little in the "valley" but mostly runs down the side from what appears to be the near the thermostats housing

I’m the embarrassment, that’s my “signature”

If you’re leaking into the intake valley it’s usually the thermostat housing. A lot of the aftermarket ones are junk.

Is yours plastic?

 

[Veg]

Yes it's plastic, was advised metal one was not an option.

 

[EB4X]

Not familiar with the SOHC.....freeze plug locations.....I know the OHV has freeze plugs at back of heads....

 

[donalds]

I'm not sure which intake you have but in the front of the engine leakage can come from timing cover water pump thermostat housing

Here is a metal one
***1997-2001 Ford Explorer 4.0 Metal Thermostat Housing*** Made in the USA | eBay

01-11 Explorer Mountaineer B4000 4.0L Aluminum/Metal Thermostat Housing Kit | eBay

 

[Veg]

Yep there's a metal replacement... Dang it!!
Was thinking the water pump wasn't a contender in the leaking games as it was to far down on the front of the motor... But going back into this thing I'll add it to the list of places to look.
Come to think of it the Saturday night before we found it on Sunday evening the temps got down to 23 degrees. Seems to be coming from the top/front/passenger area of the motor. Guy helping me with this is a Chevy guy and he keeps saying intake manifold gasket.
Some where I read ford had plastic intake manifolds that cracked...
Another guy I talked with works for Ford says he doesn't think Coolant is apart of this motors intake system...

So on my list to check once the system has been pressurized will be
1 thermostat housing I just replaced
2 water pump area
3 intake manifold
4 freeze plug?
5 heater hoses?

Thanks for the feed back, will be a couple days before I can do th test, but will let you know what I find.

 

[koda2000]

If you're going with the metal t-stat housing (which is the only way to go IMO) be sure to go with the Simmons housing. The Austekk is much lower quality and can corrode and leak. You get what you pay for.

 

[donalds]

Not had a problem with my austeck housing
It works fine .
And the Simmons has been reported to leak due to poor finish

I just put anti seize on the threads no corrosion

They are both nice housings
You decide 4.0 SOHC Metal Thermostat Housing Comparison


Imo I won't pay that much for the Simmons they want to much

 

[Dsimm321]

Hi I’m new here. I have an 03 Ford Explorer.
And I can’t find the correct part. Here is a picture.

I can’t find the part and all the diagrams. I can’t find it. The hose comes from the bottom of the coolant resavor then to the “y” or “T” it has a crack in the middle. I was hopeing it would be a quick easy fix but I can’t find the part to save my life.
Any help would be awesome.
This picture is taken from the top left side just behind the coolant resavor.

 

[Veg]

The take away from this project!! If you don’t know 100% where the leak is coming from, go to the auto parts store and rent the tool that allows you to pressurize your coolant system!!

After I replaced the thermostat housing. (Used a Plastic one and yes I know)
Cranked the explorer and it started leaking.
Ooo the disappointment.
Anyway, rented the pressure tool, found the hose from the T-housing back to the heater was leaking ( good call on check the heater hoses, apparently I didn’t know where they were, but I do now)
Replaced said hose, FYI local ford dealership... I’m not going there, it was a JOKE!
Button it back up, apply pressure... still leaking!
Look look look, Found it! it’s the hose from the water pump to the T-housing .
Ugh ugh ugh!
Replace said hose... apply pressure...
Leak fixed.
If your going into the T-Housing, go ahead and replace the other hoses it’s worth the $30.
Also be patient... it’s a pain to work on.

Thanks for all the advise!

 

[masospaghetti]

Glad you figured it out. Those pressure tester kits are really nice and can save a bundle of time and trouble when finding coolant leaks.