Got a little leak...

[blueka]

So...2000 4.0 OHV...

Leaking from somewhere by the water neck thing..

This is the best picture I can get

but, it seems like the fluid loss is coming from under the the water neck, but further back under the metal behind it... if that makes sense? I'm gonna go get another stat n gasket tomorrow, see if that helps.. I'm hoping that it isn't the intake manifold gasket...

Then I've gotta change the EGR.. so I'm just gonna swap the exhaust manifold, cos it's easier

Si

 

[Tbars4]

...I believe you will find it on the timing chain cover at the gasket, drivers side..

There will be a hose, electrical, or some grime blocking your view.. lmk..

Look up from the bottom behind the a/c compressor bracket

 

[blueka]

I'll go check it out now... I'm hoping it's something cheap.... can I fix it with RTV if it's failed? or will I need to buy a replacement gasket? I guess it can't hurt to replace the stat and gasket at first to see if that cures the prob? It leaks pretty much as soon as the engine is running...

Si

 

[blueka]

I think it's stat housing, cos it's wet on the metal where the housing bolts on to...


Si

 

[Tbars4]

That would be better news but those aren't to cheap..I would shop them..

 

[blueka]

new stat n gasket is about $7 at napa...


Si

 

[Tbars4]

...and the housing you mentioned?

I thought you meant the housing itself was leaking...My bad..

 

[blueka]

oh.. .I'm hoping the housing is ok... I've got a few spares lying around if it isn't... I'm just swapping out the exhaust manifold for one with a good EGR too... if I can fix this for less than $10.. I'm going to be super happy!! haha

Si

 

[blueka]

well.. the thermostat and gasket were bad.. this thing is leaking like a split pipe!..

So, it's leaking from somewhere around the lower intake manifold I think... It was leaking loads... and quite fast... there's a huge pool of coolant underneath it... all down the driver's side of the block.

It didn't appear to be coming from the front anywhere..so, would that rule out the timing cover?

Si

 

[Tbars4]

..Where I mentioned in the previous post is where I would look however if it is not there, look for a thread by RangerX..

..He had a leak that sounds exctly like you are describing and his thread has pictures and a bunch of info too..

 

[blueka]

I've checked as much as I can the timing cover and I checked on another engine that I've got in the shop and from I can see, the timing cover wouldn't be causing it to leak where it is leaking from.. .

I'll check that thread out...

Si

 

[Tbars4]

..Found it (them) RangerX's threads..

..This is where it started and has some useful info...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=275205

..and this gets into more detail..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2438226#post2438226

..But I would much rather have the timing cover leak..

Finding the leak

..The easiest way to find the leak after degreasing the area and still having trouble locating it is to do a pressure test...It's more or less a hand pump with an air pressure gauge attached that's hooked to a special radiator cap that you slowly pump up to about 10-15#'s of air into your system and the leak will quickly reveal itself...

..You can usually find these as a rental tool at auto parts stores or even Harbor Freight sells them I believe..

 

[blueka]

I have another OHV engine, it's broken, but I was practicing taking the timing cover off, and I came to the conclusion that I'd need to pull off the crank pulley too... so, I'd rather do the intake... I know it has its own problems, but, I find that easier, it's just the cost of the damn gaskets..

I wish HF shipped to Canada...


Si

 

[Tbars4]

...I would try auto parts and tractor supply company's for the tool rental then...

..:scratch:..Or maybe we have another member in your area who might have or know where to get/borrow one of the tools..

..But until you find the leak, we are getting ahead of ourselves...My fingers are still crossed for your $10 fix though..:biggthump

 

[blueka]

thanks... well, my $10 fix went out the window when NAPA put the price up on the thermostat to $12 with gasket..

Exhaust manifold gasket will be in tomorrow.. $15.. if I can fix it for less than $200 I'm gonna be happy!! hahahaha


Si

 

[IAmTodd]

Have you retorqued the lower intake manifold? Mine was pretty loose and started leaking in the thermostat area (specifically where the head and intake meet on the passenger front bank) after I torqued it down. I have to pull the intakes and replace all the gaskets.

 

[blueka]

No, I haven't taken it apart yet... I stood back and hoped that the thermostat gasket was the cure all - imagine my horror when I saw Niagara falls running down the side of it...

I've still gotta do the clutch on the 92, I'm gonna try n get that done and then I'll probably come back to this.

I've gotta get it fixed and sold so my SAS/SOA can get underway..

Si

 

[IAmTodd]

I did the same stat/gasket replacement on mine but I'm still wet. Not using any coolant thankfully since the rad was replaced. Sounds like yours is much worse.