96 Explorer pouring out coolant

[jsepps]

It leaks pretty good after it warms up. It looks like its right around the back of the AC compressor and below the intake. I just wanted a little input before I go taking it apart.



Thanks

 

[YourNameHere]

Is this on a 4.6?
I know there was a recall on earlier 4.6 plastic upper plenums.

 

[jsepps]

Sorry I forgot to mention its the 4.0

Its looking like its probably the head gasket to me

 

[cjones101812]

could it be a freeze plug??

 

[jsepps]

could it be a freeze plug??

Im not sure where the freeze plug is on it, but it is something I thought about. Im gonna look at it again it a little bit

 

[jsepps]

I took off the AC and the power steering pump to get a better look and I see the coolant coming out right below the drivers side valve cover.

Ideas?

 

[budwich]

How about it is actually coming from the other side and making it way around on any "path" that it can find.... probably a good chance that it is a intake gasket problem.... if you are lucky.... cause if you are not and it leaking from somewhere "inside" the cover (easy to determine by taking it of), then its in your engine... :-( what color is your oil???

 

[410Fortune]

pull the spark plug below that hole and crank the starter....any coolant come out?

 

[jsepps]

I checked my oil a few times and its not milky at all

 

[budwich]

my 96 has a similar "looking" problem. I got the gaskets... waiting on the time. I think that you will find that the water is coming from the "other side" and making its way around.... which is good and bad? good cause then it is repairable without an "engine replacement" ... bad cause the gasket effort is 5-8 hours at your time or a load rate ...:-(

PS. there was another post recently and the gentleman found it was his front motor cover.... which mine could be... hard to see. I thought it was coming from the below the valve cover on the driver's side when I first "spotted" it but a dye test showed it a bit "different"... not definitive but not from the valve cover area. I "spotted" mine when the front end was up on a ramp for an oil change which caused things to "run" back along the cover area.

 

[jsepps]

bump

 

[410Fortune]

If you want to spot the leak for sure you can rent a coolant system pressure tester...if that doesnt work then you can use a dye and black light kit, these will allow you to pin point where your leak is coming from

Does the truck have any run ability issues? or just coolant loss?

 

[JACKBLACK86]

My 94 4.0 Is Doing The Same Thing Mine Is The Maifold Gasket Its Hard To Tell Because It Mates To The Head Under The Valve Cover
Bars Leak Took Care Of It Till I Have Time To Jack

 

[jsepps]

one more bump

 

[wangmauler]

another bump? please? haha I have the same issue, my friends said it could be the freeze plug, going to check tomorrow - a local mechanic that usualy works on nissians looked at it and told me he thinks its the gasket...but not sure.

Mine seems to be only leaking, no noticble power loss or odd sounds(other than my soon-to-seeze-up-alternator).

any more help would be fantastic!

 

[jsepps]

another bump? please? haha I have the same issue, my friends said it could be the freeze plug, going to check tomorrow - a local mechanic that usualy works on nissians looked at it and told me he thinks its the gasket...but not sure.

Mine seems to be only leaking, no noticble power loss or odd sounds(other than my soon-to-seeze-up-alternator).

any more help would be fantastic!

It turned out to be the lower intake gasket. I fixed it myself and have had no problems since.

Goodluck

 

[wangmauler]

Well, i just found out it is the same thing. Lower intake gasket. How hard is it to fix that? I know the part is cheap, but any info on where to findout how to do this?

 

[djsk8r33]

It turned out to be the lower intake gasket. I fixed it myself and have had no problems since.

Goodluck

please post a good write-up or PM me.