Bought '97 5.0: Questions and Problem already

[blue88mustang]

Bought '97 5.0: Problem already (and a couple EASY questions)

I searched high and low for leaks, fluid levels, problems etc. Found nothing wrong except the smell of coolant. No drips, leaks or signs of coolant on the engine or in the oil.

Got it home and I found coolant dripping off the crank teeth, wire looms and a little on the cross member. Where is it coming from? They said they replaced a hose that was bad, but everything is crammed in there too tight for me to really see anything.

It has 68,000 miles, so what needs to be checked/changed as far as fluids? Coolant and oil are good, but what else?

Thanks

 

[MattStarr]

At 60K miles you should have had the tranny fluid flushed and replaced, as well as having the engine coolant flushed and changed.

 

[blue88mustang]

1. Any ideas where the coolant is coming from? Could it be the Water Pump going bad?

2. There is a noticeable ticking coming from the engine in the 1,800 to 2,200 rpm range. It does it under load and in park. Sounds like a tick in the motor, but I am not sure. No signs of an exhaust leak.

3. Should I turn off overdrive for around town daily driving?

4. Is 18.5mpg @ 80mpg Good, Avg or Bad?

 

[MattStarr]

4. Is 18.5mpg @ 80mpg Good, Avg or Bad?

Yes it is, thats about what I get on the highway, drop your speed down to 60 or 65 then watch your MPG skyrocket..... That is very good gas mileage, some people are only getting 14/15 mpg on the highway.

 

[blue88mustang]

TTT

Need your opinions.

 

[tonga3]

The engine tick is probably from your exhaust manifold, common problem. As far as the coolant leak goes, unless I can see it I really don't know.

 

[howellru]

Re: Bought '97 5.0: Problem already (and a couple EASY questions)

Originally posted by blue88mustang
I searched high and low for leaks, fluid levels, problems etc. Found nothing wrong except the smell of coolant. No drips, leaks or signs of coolant on the engine or in the oil.
Thanks

A buddy of mine had similar problems with his '96 F-150. Turned out to be a heater core failure. Have mechanic do a vaccuum test on coolent system to check. I'm not sure about Explorers, but replacing his f-150's HC was a b*tch. The entire dash had to be removed and it took the shop all day. Not cheap ($650+).

Good luck.

hru out.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Well I just typed a long reply, only to have it get lost on the net.

1) Add UV dye to the cooling system, you can get kits at Autozone. Use a UV light (blacklight) to see which coolant on the block is fresh, (it will glow) and possibly where its coming from. Alternatively, try a coolant system pressure test. Kits are availible at Autozone.

2) Ticking is most likely exhuast manifolds, all 5.0 Xs have the problem. It could be your T-case, if you're AWD.

3)18.5 is good. I'm around 15-20 depending on driving style.

 

[blue88mustang]

Foglights also don't work. The light on the button never comes on. And when I have time I have to go through and remove all the wiring for the trailer brake that was installed.

 

[Hokie]

Originally posted by blue88mustang
Foglights also don't work. The light on the button never comes on. And when I have time I have to go through and remove all the wiring for the trailer brake that was installed.

Why not leave it for some rainy day? If it ain't causing you no harm, leave it in there is my philosophy

 

[blue88mustang]

The engine tick - Is there a fix for this?

 

[tonga3]

The engine tick can probably be fixed by replacing the manifold.

 

[blue88mustang]

So this "tick" is caused by a crack in the exhaust header?

They look like even a bigger PITA to swap out than the ones on my 88 5.0 stang.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

Anti-Freeze Leak

Take a good look at the T-stat housing. They can be difficult to seal. If someone has recently replaced the stat, then its quite possible that it wasn't sealed properly or the housing was over-torqued and is now warped.

I have had leaks on both my X and stang in the past, but nothing some rtv won't fix.

Bill M.

 

[blue88mustang]

Bill - The shop said it was a bad water pump. I will give him a call and see if he made sure it was not the T-stat housing.