Leaking Coolant, Can't tell where it's coming from.

[|SkidRow|]

Well, I was out driving around town and my temp gauge started to go up pretty fast, so I came home and parked the X and looked around and saw that the coolant overflow was empty and I had just filled it up a few days ago, since a little went missing since October/ November 2010 and I had seen a little puddle forming under the front of the X and I got under there and smelt coolant.

I'm not exactly sure where it's coming from and I'm waiting for it to cool down before I check the oil and coolant to see if they are milky or dark Meanwhile, I took a picture and if you can give me any ideas as to where it's coming from, that would be great!

http://img405.imageshack.us/i/033011155801.jpg/
This picture is under the truck on the bottom pulley is where it was dripping around

I check the hoses and stuff coming to and fro the Radiator, but they're all dry.... I may have missed one, not too sure.

Also, if you would like more pictures, just say where you would like an angle of.

 

[Roadrunner777]

Front of the engine, there are several hoses, and the water pump. Well, and a couple of freeze plugs I guess, just to be complete. I'll be hoping for a hose.

 

[safn1949]

Also check the front of the intake manifold,that is where mine was leaking.But hopefully just a hose or the water pump.

 

[skderen]

Not sure where this is located on your '92, but check your coolant distributor. On my '94, it's up top near the fuse box and blower motor (passenger side, near the firewall). It has 4 hoses running into/out of it. They are made out of plastic, so they tend to crack over time.

 

[mehedgec]

lower intake gasket is not a fun one to do. Pray it isn't that. Check the weephole on the waterpump.

 

[|SkidRow|]

After another examination, I found that it is pretty wet around the filler neck of the power steering fluid.I'll have to look up where the water pump, freezer plugs and so on, since I don't know very much about vehicles, but I'm learning quite quickly

 

[Roadrunner777]

Oh you are going to learn a bunch if it's a freeze plug. Makes me wonder with all the freeze plug problems... I think I'll flush my coolant sooner than later.

 

[|SkidRow|]

It's not the Water Pump, I checked, it's wet from somewhere near the top, and I found a tube that is wet around where it connects to the engine, but it's mostly around the power steering fluid filler neck. Couldn't find the Freeze Plugs or the Coolant Distributor, will look up those, but will have to wait until tomorrow morning, it's pretty dark out now.

 

[|SkidRow|]

I drained out some of my coolant and I saw..... rainbows

Would I be able to buy some of that Stop Leak stuff and run it for a day or something and then flush out the oil along with the Stop Leak? I know that if it stays in there too long it might clog something it isn't supposed to. Too risky, or has anyone tried this?

 

[Roadrunner777]

I would keep looking for the external leak. I might drain the oil and make sure there is no coolant in it.

 

[Tony H]

The hose going to the Reservoir on the fender.. is that tight? They get loose at the Tank.

Don't jump into the Band-aid solution of stop leak. First off, It never fixes anything.

Wash off everything.. let it totally dry, then start the car and see what happens as it heats up and pressure builds in teh coolant system.

 

[BWTGUY]

The radiator on my 92 Eddie B was leaking fluid. I found out that FORD in it's infinite wisdom, placed a plastic reservoir for the coolant on the right and left sides of the radiator. The aluminum rim of the radiator is curled/folded over the edge of the plastic to form a seal. Unfortunately, after 19+ years, the plastic hardens and shrinks. The first signs are small leaks at the edge which puddle under your radiator area when the truck sets. Check it out and be prepared to pay $100 to $120 for a replacement plus new radiator hoses (a good idea when you have it apart). Good thing is it takes about an hour and a half to change the first time you do it.

 

[|SkidRow|]

Oil is clean and doesn't have coolant in it. Got a better view of the leak. It's the pulley that is turning the fan, which is the water pump, correct? If so, I will look up a How To on changing it. I don't know if I will be able to do it, is it a hard job to do?

 

[oldmodman]

Not hard, just messy.

Here is a link to the water pump changing sticky.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273723

 

[|SkidRow|]

Not hard, just messy.

Here is a link to the water pump changing sticky.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273723

Thanks, I'll pass this on to my buddy, but not sure if he needs it or not. He offered me a grand for the Explorer, but I knocked it down to $700 for a buddy/ co-worker discount and f^*%$& Water Pump

I just got a '91 Grand Prix. I will still be reading up on here, just won't be doing any of it until later on when I have the funds to do so. Finding a 1st and 2nd Gen Explorer isn't that hard around my parts, so I'll get another one when I can!