leaking coolant

[toughguy]

2000 EB, 182000 miles. started to notice coolant level dropping off and a coolant smell, well this morning I noticed some coolant on the ground, got in drove truck around for a while and parked in driveway........I placed a pan under water pump thinking weep hole......no it leaks on the drivers side just on top of the motor mount....I cannot get a good look at the spot. could it be a freeze plug? thanks all.

 

[J_C]

You might get a better view with the wheel and well liner off, and a good flashlight. Sometimes I find when looking up from below, it is easier to see with a flashlight when it's dark outside or lights off in a garage, minimal light besides where I point it.

I assume it's the radiator level that's down, not just the reservoir?

Which engine?

 

[toughguy]

so far radiator is good, reservoir keeps getting low. also forgot to tell radiator and upper and lower hoses replaced 8 months ago. with no issues. engine 5.0

 

[J_C]

Could just be a crack in the reservoir, gasket for the sensor, crack in the hose to radiator. You just have to keep looking. They make dye you can put in then check with a UV light.

 

[koda2000]

so far radiator is good, reservoir keeps getting low. also forgot to tell radiator and upper and lower hoses replaced 8 months ago. with no issues. engine 5.0

The 5.0's tend to develop a leak between the timing cover and the block. There is a gasket around the water port, which is very thin, that leaks. It's a huge job to replace this gasket. My 2000 Mountaineer 5.0 starting leaking from the timing cover about 2 years ago. Someone told me about a product called K-Seal. It stopped my leak almost immediately and 2 years later it still hasn't leaked a drop, Worth a try and it won't hurt/clog anything. The V8's don't tend to leak from the thermostat housing, temp sender and/or temp sensor they way the SOHC V6's do.

 

[toughguy]

The 5.0's tend to develop a leak between the timing cover and the block. There is a gasket around the water port, which is very thin, that leaks. It's a huge job to replace this gasket. My 2000 Mountaineer 5.0 starting leaking from the timing cover about 2 years ago. Someone told me about a product called K-Seal. It stopped my leak almost immediately and 2 years later it still hasn't leaked a drop, Worth a try and it won't hurt/clog anything. The V8's don't tend to leak from the thermostat housing, temp sender and/or temp sensor they way the SOHC V6's do.

Thank you koda2000, I think your right, today I tries to get a closer look and it was in the are you had mentioned, I have order the K-seal and it will be here Wednesday,. I will update this post after I use it. thanks again.

 

[koda2000]

Thank you koda2000, I think your right, today I tries to get a closer look and it was in the are you had mentioned, I have order the K-seal and it will be here Wednesday,. I will update this post after I use it. thanks again.

I've had excellent results with K-Seal, I drain out about 8 ounces from the radiator, Shake the bottle real well and pour it in. Then I let the engine idle for about 30 mins. That's it. It's considered a permanent fix and it remains in the system to stop future leaks.

 

[toughguy]

UPDATE: WOW you where right koda2000, I ordered K-Seal got it. before work I removed about 8oz from my radiator and added the K-Seal topped it off and closed up the cap started the truck and jumped in. drove about 30 to work in traffic, got to work shut off truck and looked underneath and NOT ONE DROP of coolant !!!! 3 days no leak, awesome !! and I had to add nothing to the recovery tank. Thanks for the tip koda2000 !!

 

[koda2000]

UPDATE: WOW you where right koda2000, I ordered K-Seal got it. before work I removed about 8oz from my radiator and added the K-Seal topped it off and closed up the cap started the truck and jumped in. drove about 30 to work in traffic, got to work shut off truck and looked underneath and NOT ONE DROP of coolant !!!! 3 days no leak, awesome !! and I had to add nothing to the recovery tank. Thanks for the tip koda2000 !!

You are most welcome. I'm very glad it worked for you as well as it worked for me (and the guy who told me about it). Great stuff!

 

[Blkwtr]

2000 EB, 182000 miles. started to notice coolant level dropping off and a coolant smell, well this morning I noticed some coolant on the ground, got in drove truck around for a while and parked in driveway........I placed a pan under water pump thinking weep hole......no it leaks on the drivers side just on top of the motor mount....I cannot get a good look at the spot. could it be a freeze plug? thanks all.

Could be the radiator. I have had to replace mine twice. The plastic cap on the drivers side cracked both times.