overripeturnip
Member
- Joined
- April 4, 2017
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Littleton, CO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 92 Explorer XLT 4x4
So, after completely overhauling the A/C system earlier this month (new everything bar the evaporator, as per Maniak's suggestion) and flushing out the cooling system, I've had a recurring coolant leak. At first, the Exploder's drinking habit was really bad, like 0.5 gal a day bad. Turns out, numpty here couldn't tell a hose clamp cross-threading from it actually tightening up, so a quick visit to NAPA and a new hose clamp seemed to fix the problem.
A week later, as I was backing out of the garage on my way to work, I noticed a distinct trail of coolant following me down the driveway. I popped the hood and was greeted by a little fountain of coolant spurting from the upper radiator hose (at the thermostat housing). This time, I tightened that hose clamp and all the others with a 1/4" socket just to be on the safe side. Problem solved, I thought.
The wife and I recently came back from a trip up to Steamboat Springs and on the way back home, as we were traversing Loveland Pass, the brakes began pulsing really badly. They were on the list of things to tackle, but they were bad enough that they jumped to the top of the list.
Luckily, it looks like I got to them just in time. All better now.
And now we finally reach the point of this story. Yes, there was a point, after all; thanks for sticking with me so far. As I was rolling around under the car jacking it up so I could fix the brakes, I noticed yet another coolant leak. But how could this be? I had just tightened all the hose clamps! Ah... if only car mechanics were that easy.
It's an awkward shot, I'll grant you, but it's the best I could muster. I'm lying on my back by the passenger side front wheel, looking up between the back of the engine and the firewall. At the top of the picture is the exhaust pipe going up to the headers and the oil filter. I think the leak is coming from just beneath the valve covers somewhere.
So, in addition to this newfound coolant leak, I also have a pre-existing oil leak from the oil pan gasket/transfer case area. I've no idea when the timing belt was last changed; or if it has ever actually been changed. The engine just tripped over the 170k mile marker, and I figure it's time to sort this stuff out properly. Since I bought the car, it's had new brake calipers, hoses, pads and rotors; new Energy Suspension master bushing kit, Moog RA bracket, and Ford RA, all new AC system; Motorcraft thermostat and coolant flush; new Alpine speakers throughout. I'm slowly knocking it into shape and assuming that little or no maintenance has ever been performed on this car.
My wife's uncle has an incredible garage that he said I could use. He has a lift, engine hoist and stand; amongst a host of other delightful tools that should make this job a whole load easier. My question is: if I'm pulling the engine, what else should I be looking to replace while I'm at it? I only plan to do this once, and I wanna nail it the first time.
So far, my meager brain has come up with the following list:
A week later, as I was backing out of the garage on my way to work, I noticed a distinct trail of coolant following me down the driveway. I popped the hood and was greeted by a little fountain of coolant spurting from the upper radiator hose (at the thermostat housing). This time, I tightened that hose clamp and all the others with a 1/4" socket just to be on the safe side. Problem solved, I thought.
The wife and I recently came back from a trip up to Steamboat Springs and on the way back home, as we were traversing Loveland Pass, the brakes began pulsing really badly. They were on the list of things to tackle, but they were bad enough that they jumped to the top of the list.
Luckily, it looks like I got to them just in time. All better now.
And now we finally reach the point of this story. Yes, there was a point, after all; thanks for sticking with me so far. As I was rolling around under the car jacking it up so I could fix the brakes, I noticed yet another coolant leak. But how could this be? I had just tightened all the hose clamps! Ah... if only car mechanics were that easy.
It's an awkward shot, I'll grant you, but it's the best I could muster. I'm lying on my back by the passenger side front wheel, looking up between the back of the engine and the firewall. At the top of the picture is the exhaust pipe going up to the headers and the oil filter. I think the leak is coming from just beneath the valve covers somewhere.
So, in addition to this newfound coolant leak, I also have a pre-existing oil leak from the oil pan gasket/transfer case area. I've no idea when the timing belt was last changed; or if it has ever actually been changed. The engine just tripped over the 170k mile marker, and I figure it's time to sort this stuff out properly. Since I bought the car, it's had new brake calipers, hoses, pads and rotors; new Energy Suspension master bushing kit, Moog RA bracket, and Ford RA, all new AC system; Motorcraft thermostat and coolant flush; new Alpine speakers throughout. I'm slowly knocking it into shape and assuming that little or no maintenance has ever been performed on this car.
My wife's uncle has an incredible garage that he said I could use. He has a lift, engine hoist and stand; amongst a host of other delightful tools that should make this job a whole load easier. My question is: if I'm pulling the engine, what else should I be looking to replace while I'm at it? I only plan to do this once, and I wanna nail it the first time.
So far, my meager brain has come up with the following list:
- Engine mounts
- Water pump
- Spark plug leads (changed spark plugs during AC overhaul)
- Accessory belt
- Radiator fan and clutch (mine has the usual cracks)
- Oil pan gasket
- Rear engine gasket
- Valve cover gaskets
- Timing belt
- Power steering flush
- Fuel, air and oil filters
- Oil change
- All new coolant hoses and heater core bypass valve mod
