steam coming from top left of engine????

[posmindset]

FYI: Dobbs just replaced about a week ago:

1. cracked manifold
2. #5 ignition coil
3. plugs
4. plug boots

driving it for a few days after those fixes with no problems then I see steam from under the hood near the windshield, not the radiator.

The steam seems to be coming from these 2 small pipes on the top left side of the manifold....see the picture of where I think the steam is coming from.

pic link:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bxlt9KkK_s5IZmNJRVBubmlNNmc/edit?usp=sharing

You can see the water splatter and covering several parts in the pic.

The top radiator reservoir is still full...hasn't changed

gauges are running fine and engine temp is normal, no service lights have come on.

Dobbs is 10 miles away.

questions:
1. what might be the problem?
2. what are those 2 silver pipes?
3. if i take extra water with, from a cold start....could i try to drive it back to dobbs or should i not risk it?

i'd like to not pay the high price for having it towed back to them and a friend of mine that worked for dobbs said they won't cover those towing costs....which is BS!

thanks for your thoughts

 

[swshawaii]

Mystery Explorer? Care to add info/specs about your vehicle? Thanks!

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/profile.php?do=editprofile DETAILS
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/profile.php?do=editoptions OPTIONS

 

[JayT]

The pic looks like the heater inlet and outlet. The hose connection there is probably leaking. Yes you can safely drive it so long as your system stays relatively full.

 

[posmindset]

sorry....forgot about the details

it's a 2002 ford explorer, eddie bauer. 4.6 L v8 4x4
150,000 miles

 

[posmindset]

thanks JayT!!

I appreciate it

did dobbs have to mess with that when they replaced the intake manifold?

I'm wondering if this will be covered by them or a new cost I have to cover

 

[Turdle]

Those are the heater core tubes. Check the heater bypass valve right near there(looks like a top hat with a lever and vacuum line attached)

These often crack when they are disturbed. Not necessarily bad mechanic skills, just old plastic. If this is what is broken, be very nice when you go back, tell them you understand and will they replace the part free of labor. If you are diplomatic, they may work with you.
It could also be the hose has split, from said repair. Again, probably an old hose that did not like being moved around. This comes into the "trying to save the customer money" category.

Dry the area off real well, have someone rev the engine a little and switch the heater to warm, and then cold,several times using the vent function. You should be under the hood observing the leak area, and see the heater bypass valve operate, the increased engine speed should cause the coolant to spray out of the leak. Wear eye protection, and be careful.

 

[posmindset]

Those are the heater core tubes. Check the heater bypass valve right near there(looks like a top hat with a lever and vacuum line attached)

These often crack when they are disturbed. Not necessarily bad mechanic skills, just old plastic. If this is what is broken, be very nice when you go back, tell them you understand and will they replace the part free of labor. If you are diplomatic, they may work with you.

Dry the area off real well, have someone rev the engine a little and switch the heater to warm, and then cold,several times using the vent function. You should be under the hood observing the leak area, and see the heater bypass valve operate, the increased engine speed should cause the coolant to spray out of the leak. Wear eye protection, and be careful.

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME Turdle,

Great help and instruction!

Thanks for the guidance! I'll follow your instructions to verify that's the problem.