99 problems!!!

[1ralphnelson11]

So here's my many issues. I just bought a 1991 explorer 4x4, 5 speed manual. Monster exhaust leak. Think I need new headers. My main problem, is the explorer sometimes overheats when idling. Temp gauge goes back to normal when driving. I have HORRIBLE gas mileage. (Tune up coming today). Second worst problem, it goes through engine coolant way too fast. Can't find any main leaks. Maybe the water pump? Radiator, condenser, all lines seen fine. Last important issue...4x4 will not engage, no sounds from the gear box or anything. Lights don't come on either on the 4x4 gauge. Not a mechanic at all, would really appreciate any help, tips or feedback I can get...thanks.

 

[madbutcher]

Hello and welcome

New water pump, flush radiator, tune up first..
If you search 4x4 trouble here you will find a guide for fixing the 4x4 problem.. it's not that hard to do

 

[vq5speed]

Have you checked the oil to make sure water is not getting into the crankcase.

Why do you say it goes through coolant give us a scenario on how coolant is lost.

 

[Wolfie_85]

Definitely keep an eye on your oil. Is it milky looking? If so, probably a head gasket. Missing coolant means one of two things with no obvious leak. One is that you have a pinhole leak in a hose that only shows while driving, two is that it's leaking into the engine. Make sure you know where the coolant is going before you go any further with anything at all (I only say this because head gaskets are a big job, something some people get rid of cars for).

Other stuff after that? I would replace the fuel filter, plugs, wires, and clean the MAF. That should improve gas mileage a lot.

These are pretty easy vehicles to work on. Great for learning a new skill. Welcome, and keep us posted!

 

[Ramblinwilly]

Chased quite a few coolant leaks. Hope this helps.
Obvious but look for coolant where coolant shouldn't be. In my situation I had a small pin hole leak in the lower hose. Coolant was P**ing on a cross member so it never hit the ground for me to see. Now when I can't find a coolant leak I use a radiator pressure tester with the vehicle cold. Listen for a hiss and look for a P***. Last resort is to buy coolant dye. No too pricey but it works. Put it in the rad start vehicle an use a black lite. The black lite will "illuminate" the coolant.

As to the other issues there is no substitute for proper maintenance & diagnosis.
After you finish with your tune up you need to retrieve the CEL codes and start from there or you will be chasing your tail. Ask me how I know that!

Take your time and be methodical. These vehicles are pretty easy to fix and diagnose issues.
Good Luck.

 

[vq5speed]

I asked why you think its consuming water. Are you topping off the reservoir then a couple days or a week its back down low again. And you keep topping it off only to find it low again. Is this why you think its consuming coolant. Cause I seen a lot of people do this the reservoir level when cold is not suppose to be at the top its fill line is near the bottom. If your topping it off before you drive it just boils over and out the lid when its hot. Then when the engine cools it sucks that water back into the radiator leaving the reservoir low where its suppose to be. But when you see the reservoir level low when the engine is cold pop the radiator cap it should be full. But if the radiator is also low when cold then you do have a slow leak in the system somewhere.

 

[1ralphnelson11]

Thanks for the tips guys. Much appreciated. As to the coolant leak, it's now pouring out of what looks to b the bottom of the water pump. Only leaks when I start the truck, it's not a slow drip, it's a very constant stream. When I crawl underneath the motor, I can see it coming out of the bottom of the water pump or somewhere else near it? What else is in that area? Freeze plug? Lower intake gasket? No idea. I drove to work 3 days ago, about 7 miles from my house. Topped it off with water before I left. Pulled up at work, steam was rolling from the hood, water n coolant everywhere. Radiator an fill tank were empty, but my temp gauge never went above normal. Weird?? I bought a tune up kit ( spark plugs, wires, oil change) and a new water pump and serpentine belt. I'm gonna remove the water pump tomorrow an replace it, along with the tune up. Anything I should check first? Maybe different problem than the pump...and there was no coolant or water in the oil, not milky, no white smoke, nothing like that. Just high pitched squeal when running, loss of power, erratic idling, mass coolant loss.

 

[natenkiki2004]

From the sound of it, I'd guess the weep hole. I'm not 100% sure what it does but as funny as it sounds, it leaks to prevent more serious problems.

I'd bet the issue is just isolated to losing coolant. If you lost that much, the sensors would be covered in steam instead of water which makes the computer think differently and you'll definitely have idling and power issues.

 

[1ralphnelson11]

From the sound of it, I'd guess the weep hole. I'm not 100% sure what it does but as funny as it sounds, it leaks to prevent more serious problems.

I'd bet the issue is just isolated to losing coolant. If you lost that much, the sensors would be covered in steam instead of water which makes the computer think differently and you'll definitely have idling and power issues.

So would replacing the water pump solve this problem? Or could it b a different leak? I'm just hoping it's not a head gasket or lower intake gasket.

 

[Wolfie_85]

Replacing the water pump would fix it if it's leaking from the weep hole, as the weep hole is in the water pump. It isn't that hard of a job to do, nor is it very expensive. And it's definitley better than an emergency overheating situation.

 

[larrydd999]

I recently had a gasket leaking coolant from the driver side of the timing cover, which is below the water pump. I did all of the work without pulling the engine (which you have to do if you plan to drop the oil pan). I just kept rags under the crankshaft which blocked stuff from going into the pan and changed the oil after I was finished (had a bit of coolant in it that couldn't be avoided) before starting the engine. I replaced the water pump while I was working on the timing cover gasket, since it had to be pulled anyway. If I had to do it again I would also have changed the thermostat, just because.