New here and need help :) Coolant leak

[floydtheduck]

Hi all, I'm new here. I've never really thought about going online to look for help with fixing things other than using google. I own a 2003 Ford Explorer 4.0L Flex Fuel 4x4

If anyone could give me some help with my issue(s), it'd be extremely appreciated. I try to do as much work myself as I can to save money due to the fact I've tried 4 different mechanics in the area and they all charge an arm and a leg and say "not sure what the issue is, but it'll be another 2 hours for a full diagnostic"

I know the basics of engines (alternators, spark plugs, battery, etc.) but when it comes to water pumps, thermostats, a/c, etc. I get lost. So, on to the problem:

Problem:About a year ago my A/C would not work. My heat did, but the A/C did not. As soon as it got to the 'middle' of the cold/hot, it would not go any colder (or, less warm). I took it to a shop, they said they'd have to take out the whole dash and it would be a few hundred $ to diagnose. I said "it's fine, I'll deal with it for now"... then it randomly started working.

About a month ago, my heater quit working. My A/C works fine. And the heat works on the 'right' side of the channels (meaning, it works on feet and defrost, but not on feet/face, or face). Around this same time, I smelt coolant one day when I got out of the car. It was at my girlfriends house with an ocean breeze and the neighbor was working on his car. I looked under my truck for a leak and saw nothing, as well as checked my coolant level and it looked fine, so I assumed it was the wind catching the neighbors coolant aroma and blowing it my way.

2 weeks ago I was driving down the highway, my check gauge light came on, I looked down and I saw my thermostat needle go from the middle to the H in about a second. I pulled over immediately and shut off the engine, opened the hood and saw coolant all over the place (with all the smoke to go with it). My reservoir was dry. Being late at night, I had it towed back home so I could look in the morning.

I found that it would leak a little (drip.... drip... drip...) when cool, but when running at full temp (normal op range) it would almost stream (dripdripdripdripdrip). I tried tracing the leak but couldn't find it. A friend suggested running a bottle of Stop Leak thru it. I did that (it said it worked for up to 12 Q, but I have 16.7, but I didn't see that til we were back at the house, so I tried it anyway with the full bottle). The leak slowed to a drip.......drip......drip only when it is at full temp. I believe I found where the leak is coming from, now, but I'm not sure what it is. I tried finding a diagram online to no avail.

There is a large hose running from my radiator to the top of this item. It has electrical running to it, as well. The leak is coming out the side of it where there appears to be a seal... My assumption (and me knowing only basics about vehicles) is maybe a water pump gasket? I'm assuming a water pump is what pumps water/coolant thru your engine, and there is a gasket to keep the seal from leaking... is that a correct assumption?

I took a few pictures and posted to photobucket for viewing here:
http://s77.beta.photobucket.com/user/FloydTheDuck/library/2003%20Explorer%20Coolant%20Leak



Again, any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

Floyd

 

[swshawaii]

Very common lower thermostat housing splitting it's seams. Appears you have the SINGLE
sensor housing. Basic repair only requires an RH148 lower housing, DY1004 ECT sensor, and
lower/upper seals. New thermostat and bypass hose is recommended. Check part numbers.

http://bengrosser.com/howto/fordthermostat/

 

[floydtheduck]

Very common lower thermostat housing splitting it's seams. Appears you have the SINGLE
sensor housing. Basic repair only requires an RH148 lower housing, DY1004 ECT sensor,
and two o-ring seals. New thermostat and bypass hose is recommended. Check numbers.

http://bengrosser.com/howto/fordthermostat/

Thanks so much! Do you think the issues between the heater not working and the coolant leak are coincidental or related?

I'll try this out and see if it remedies the issue. Thanks again!

 

[swshawaii]

Keeping the engine cool is more important than keeping you toasty, do this first.

 

[floydtheduck]

Keeping the engine cool is more important than keeping you toasty, do this first.

Point taken Just curious. Thanks!

 

[swshawaii]

BTW, I would advise flushing all the stop leak out and refilling with Zerex G-05.
That stuff is a temporary fix and has been known to cause long term issues. GL

 

[floydtheduck]

BTW, I would advise flushing all the stop leak out and refilling with Zerex G-05.
That stuff is a temporary fix and has been known to cause long term issues. GL

Is that easy to flush out? The way it functions it almost seems like it'd be like baking an egg into cracks.

I have run probably 8-9 gallons of water thru my reservoir (i lose about a gallon a day driving thru town).

 

[swshawaii]

Unless the coolant color is really nasty, pull the bottom radiator hose and drain it.
Replace hose and run water through the system with the engine and heater running
on high until it's clear. May take several times to get the system completely clean.

 

[floydtheduck]

Unless the coolant color is really nasty, pull the bottom radiator hose and drain it.
Replace hose and run water through the system with the engine and heater running
on high until it's clear. May take several times to get the system completely clean.

Thank you so much.

I called the local auto store and the guy wasn't sure if what they had in stock was what I needed. I did a search online and it looks like all of it is available thru Amazon. The only part I was unsure of was the seal. Could you look at this and tell me if it's all I need (minus the bypass hose)?

http://amzn.com/w/3M9LUELNLTR88

 

[swshawaii]

PERFECT! Gotta love Amazon. You're not an expert until it's installed.
Your later SOHC is much easier with lot's of upper clearance. Here to help!

 

[1Aauto]

welcome to the site