Something blew...coolant related!!

[amystours]

Something blew...coolant related!! (added pics)

Hmm...okay, I just took a trip down the road, noticed temp gauge nearing the A, totally not normal for my EB. Stopped, lifted the hood, and there is a water/antifreeze leak somewhere! The steam was coming from under/behind the distributor (I know these vehicles are distributor-less, but I don't know what you call the thingy that the plug wires attach to), and underneath the truck, the water was almost pouring behind the motor...what can it be? Freeze plug? Heater core hose? This is leaving me in a pretty sticky situation right now, as I need the truck, and would like to get this resolved as quickly as possible. I sat there about half and hour, topped the reservoir back up, and brought it back home. When I got here, temp was again on L, no steam this time, but fluid was coming back into the reservoir...PLEASE gimme an opinion on this!!
****I've been reading the forums, what about a lower intake manifold gasket??**** Apparently, this seems to be a common problem on this year model....

 

[00sport4x4]

If the anitfreeze is running down the firewall then I'd say possible heater hose leak. feel the passenger side floor for dampness if it is wet then thats usually a sign of a heater core leak. Good luck

 

[amystours]

Nope, floorboard nice and dry, but interior REEKS of antifreeze. I even pulled the carpet back a bit to check underneath, nothing there either. Thanks, though, I appreciate your time!!

 

[mctoy]

Some folks having trouble with the heater selector valve cracking/leaking...(?)

 

[amystours]

I have no idea!

The antifreeze was POURING out when I stopped, though...I was thinking maybe a damn freeze plug, but hoping not!! That's in a tough area to get to! I'll have to check it out when it's cool....any other ideas? Anybody?

 

[svande8952]

Got to be the core if it reeks in the car. Just follow the green, that will lead you to the leak.

 

[V8Exploder]

yeah, if it smells alot in the car, its got to be heater core, try bypassing the heater core and see if the problem persister, you can get pieces to make a bypass adapter at the hardware store. If it is coming out of where the distibutor/coil pack is, thats the front of the motor, right ? Is it a V8 or V6 ?

 

[marragtop]

Since it's a 92, it has to be the 4.0 and the coil pack is towards the firewall. I agree that the heater core/hoses is the first place to start. I'd start by bypassing the core and if the leak goes away, then replace the core. On a 92, it's a very simple and cheap repair.

 

[amystours]

Gotcha!

Thanks guys, I'll be sure to check that out sometime today when it decides to quit raining. I sure hope that's all it is. Thanks again for such prompt replies!!

 

[Bronco_bill]

Dose your windshield fog when you run the defroster with the blower on high speed?

 

[amystours]

some pics..

Nope, windshield does not fog up. I just went out and looked, alas, it's NOT the heater hoses...I just took some pics, will have them up within the next 5-10 minutes...I'm bout ready to cry!!

The first photo is of course, the wider view...heater hoses are over to the top left, right?? The second one shows about where it's coming from, between the tranny dipstick and the distributor coil pack (whatever they call that thingy)...I stuck my hand down there, could feel the water, but freeze plug on the rear of the head *feels* solid, and when it's cranked up, antifreeze doesn't puke from the radiator, so surely the gasket isn't blown, huh? You guys have been great helping me on this!! I certainly need it! Thanks again in advance!!

 

[amystours]

Updated!!

 

[ox111]

Try putting a piece of tubing on your radiator petcock and use a air compresser with a blow gun to make it gurggle with out the engine being on and hot or drain the system and use a vacume and blow smoke around and see where it is sucking. I have a 93 and the head was cracked. good luck on hopefully a cheap fix.

 

[elkhunter]

It could be the cooling port at the end of the lower intake/head gasket.

 

[Bronco_bill]

Pictures did not load for me but alot of the first gens I have run into have problems with the lower intake gaskets leaking/sealing when the miles rack up. When I rebuilt the motor in mine the shop without telling me slightly milled the top of the block because of a small scratch. The intake gasket for this motor used to come in 1 piece so long story short the end seals held up the gasket just enough to prevent it from sealing properly. Fixed it by clipping the end seals out and using silcone in its place. To this day it is still holding solid. If it is the intake it is not to difficult of a job. If its a head gasket reinstalling the heads properly is a bit more tricky. How many miles on your rig?

 

[amystours]

I've got 142 thou on it. Quite a few, yes. This motor was taken out of a different truck, so that's the best estimate I have for it. The motor that was in my truck before had blown a head gasket, or cracked a head or something. White smoke was pouring out of the exhaust. I haven't taken that motor apart to look at it yet. I still haven't gotten the chance to look at this one, and it's really putting me in a bind, but I would like to thank all of you who replied so promptly! I'll let ya know exactly what it was as soon as I know! ~~Amy~~

 

[Infragate]

Go to your local auto supply store and pick up a pressure tester for your cooling system. Pressurize the system and watch for leaks. This is the easiest way to find your leak trust me! If you need more info PM me. Dan