drewmar74
Member
- Joined
- June 6, 2011
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 0
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2000 Sport 4 x 4
I will preface this post by saying that I have looked everywhere for a definitive answer for my questions already both on this board and on the web in general. This isn't a lazy request for easily found information but a real request for help because I'm stumped!
I own a 2000 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD with the 4.0L SOHC. I have to replace the lower thermostat housing due to a massive coolant leak. I am about a third of the way through the project and at a dead stop.
I have moved the air intake hose, the throttle body, and the alternator cable so that I can easily see the housing. The upper housing has been removed already and I have managed to disconnect both sensors.....
My problems start here!
1) I have managed to remove the front most bolts from the lower thermostat housing. The third is a nightmare to reach. I've tried a swivel socket and can't reach it. I have an 8mm self ratcheting wrench but can't seem to budge it because an 8mm wrench is tiny (no leverage). Would a wobble extension help? After pulling the other two bolts off and seeing how long they are vice how far down the bolt the threads are, I have my doubts about soaking it in PB blaster as I doubt it would trickle down far enough...
2) Even when / if I manage to get that bolt out, the housing is in a nightmare spot. I have a vacuum line and the camshaft position sensor wiring to contend with. So let's make this a two part question....
2a) The vacuum line seems like it should be easier to deal with, at least in my mind. There is a T junction with one vacuum line running from the bottom of the T right directly where I need to be working. I started to force that vertical run of vacuum line off the T but stopped because I was moving a lot of stuff and, with the truck being so old, I didn't want to break anything due to old age / brittle plastic. Any thoughts on how to pop this line off or should I just work around it.
2b) The camshaft position sensor wiring..... It's in an nightmare spot because it is going to prevent me from lifting up on the housing to avoid breaking off my three plastic tabs on the bottom of the housing itself. I tried following it up but it gets lost under the intake manifold. I tried following it down but it hugs the front of the motor and disappears. Any thoughts on where / how I can disconnect this thing so that I can get some room?
3) I'm beginning to think that my best bet to tackling this might just be to take off the whole intake manifold. Is that just stupidity or does it have merit? I'm not a mechanic so keep that in mind.... Seems that is just 8 torx bolts that keep it together. How much of a mess am I setting myself up for if I do opt to the intake manifold off?
Thanks in advance!
Andrew
I own a 2000 Ford Explorer Sport 4WD with the 4.0L SOHC. I have to replace the lower thermostat housing due to a massive coolant leak. I am about a third of the way through the project and at a dead stop.
I have moved the air intake hose, the throttle body, and the alternator cable so that I can easily see the housing. The upper housing has been removed already and I have managed to disconnect both sensors.....
My problems start here!
1) I have managed to remove the front most bolts from the lower thermostat housing. The third is a nightmare to reach. I've tried a swivel socket and can't reach it. I have an 8mm self ratcheting wrench but can't seem to budge it because an 8mm wrench is tiny (no leverage). Would a wobble extension help? After pulling the other two bolts off and seeing how long they are vice how far down the bolt the threads are, I have my doubts about soaking it in PB blaster as I doubt it would trickle down far enough...
2) Even when / if I manage to get that bolt out, the housing is in a nightmare spot. I have a vacuum line and the camshaft position sensor wiring to contend with. So let's make this a two part question....
2a) The vacuum line seems like it should be easier to deal with, at least in my mind. There is a T junction with one vacuum line running from the bottom of the T right directly where I need to be working. I started to force that vertical run of vacuum line off the T but stopped because I was moving a lot of stuff and, with the truck being so old, I didn't want to break anything due to old age / brittle plastic. Any thoughts on how to pop this line off or should I just work around it.
2b) The camshaft position sensor wiring..... It's in an nightmare spot because it is going to prevent me from lifting up on the housing to avoid breaking off my three plastic tabs on the bottom of the housing itself. I tried following it up but it gets lost under the intake manifold. I tried following it down but it hugs the front of the motor and disappears. Any thoughts on where / how I can disconnect this thing so that I can get some room?
3) I'm beginning to think that my best bet to tackling this might just be to take off the whole intake manifold. Is that just stupidity or does it have merit? I'm not a mechanic so keep that in mind.... Seems that is just 8 torx bolts that keep it together. How much of a mess am I setting myself up for if I do opt to the intake manifold off?
Thanks in advance!
Andrew