Loosing Collant!

[chris1962001]

I have a 1997 Explorer 4X4, V6, SOHC. I purchased it about three months ago and have been loosing coolant ever since. I have look all over the engine for leaks and there are none visible. I add about one gallon per month to the reservoir. I am told that it could be a head gasket and that it will cost about $1300 by my local ford dealer to fix. But there are no fluids mixing which is a sign of a bad head gasket. The coolant is clean and the oil as well. I replaced the radiator cap thinking it could be steaming off as there was a bad seal in the old one, but this has not fixed the problem. Any advice or anyone else that has this problem please respond. Thanks.

 

[skoal_mint]

check you exhaust, see if theirs any white smoke coming out of it..if their is then coolent is getting into the combustion chamber...but dont just bring it to the shop to get it fixed...theirs ways of geting around that by pluging it up..

but its just a temp fix, might last you a year...i know of somone that used a temp fix and its been about 2 years now..

maybe one else can help you out with the names of the products for the fix..i know chev make these little pill you crush up and that works the best..the other stuff will gum up ur rad after time

 

[Wintakid583]

I have just recently encountered the same problem. I have owned my 98 EB V6 SOHC for only 5 months and it's leaking coolant in excess. Though mine apears to be leaking from somewhere around the water pump. Not sure on how I'm going to fix it just yet.

 

['97 V8]

Perform a pressure test on the radiator and this should show if there is any leaking. Have you checked around the thermostat housing?

Also how are your mechanic skills? Replacing a headgasket isnt all that hard, and if itcomes to it, we can walk you through it.

 

[budwich]

Although you will find many posting for the sohc problems (mostly timing stuff... but also head stuff I think), there is also a possibility that you have a leaky heater control valve which is on the passenger side of the engine compartment. This is also a common problem for ex's. The fluid usually leaks out thru the center pin of the valve and most times onto the exhaust manifold and quickly evaporates without a "visible trace". Check around that area.

 

[pabille]

Although you will find many posting for the sohc problems (mostly timing stuff... but also head stuff I think), there is also a possibility that you have a leaky heater control valve which is on the passenger side of the engine compartment.

I just replaced one of those over the weekend. My Ex was gradually losing coolant with no trace except some dried residue on this valve. I replaced it and all's well.

 

[skoal_mint]

I have just recently encountered the same problem. I have owned my 98 EB V6 SOHC for only 5 months and it's leaking coolant in excess. Though mine apears to be leaking from somewhere around the water pump. Not sure on how I'm going to fix it just yet.

it could be a seal. which a bad bearing would damage the seal