Think my intake mani gasket is leaking coolant

[alchemist]

Rear of engine leaking coolant (4.0 OHV)

Well today I noticed my engine (4.0 OHV) was loosing coolant and smoking on contact with theexhaust pipes. No coolant in the oil or tranny fluid (went through a gallon today on a 100 mile drive).

Went under the truck and saw coolant dripping from something on the back of the engine. Its not a hose or heater part. Can't quite see exactly where its comming from, but its definitely dripping from the back side of the engine.

Anyone think its from the lower intake manifold gasket? Headgasket?


Anyone have any pointers on getting it done right (I have the chiltons)/fast?

 

[sabatosh]

I highly doubt it's the manifold gaskets on the rear of the engine. The ports for the water jacket into there for coolant flow only have escape points at the head gasket. The intake and exhaust are open to the valves, if you had the waterjacket open into where they mated you'd be in trouble with the head being defective.

It could be the head gasket blown out just where one of the coolant part is blown out the side. Doesn't nessacarily have to drip into the engine..

 

[alchemist]

Any thoughts on what it could be thats leaking coolant then?

 

[Nuggethead 420]

I had a similar problem but it was a head gasket so If you go that far may as well replace the head gaskets and intake because it has to come off to get to it. That way all your bases are covered. Just make sure it is not in the front and blowing to the back while driving and that is where it seems to be coming from. I have seen that misstake made as well. Not a knock just advice for your consideration I'm sure you have looked at almost everything.

 

[eckerd_explorer]

I'm having the same problem. 96 XLT 4.0, leaking coolant from the rear of the engine. I've traced the leak from under the truck to the rear of the engine. looks like either the intake mani or head gasket. the truck seems to run fine it's just slowly leaking coolant. if it was the head gasket would there be other side effects. is this problem usually curred with the gaskets replaced?