Where is my coolant coming from?

[englishowner]

Hi Guys.
My '98 Explorer has been running fine for the last 5 years but recently the heater began to run colder and colder. On my run home from work the temp needle zoomed into the red and there was a 'popping noise' coming from the motor. I figured the thermostat had gone so I changed it and refilled with new coolant with the motor running. The motor got hot but the heater still did not and eventually coolant poured out of the back of the motor somewhere between it and the bulkhead.
Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[blueka]

I'm only up the road from you mate,

You've probably popped your heater matrix, fill it up with water again and see if there's water pouring out of the drain on the right hand side of the bulkhead as you look at it from the front. If the heater matrix is gone, you'll need to bypass it till you can replace it and it's a dash out job.. I've done the job myself and it's a PITA but it's still doable.

Hope that helps


Si

 

[robertoa1a]

It could be a bad freeze plug.

 

[englishowner]

Thanks Guys. I will fill her up and get underneath with a mirror. Any clues as to bypass it if that is the problem Blueka and where am I looking for replacement, Quickco?
If it is a plug is it an engine out job robertoa1a?

 

[rhauf]

Thanks Guys. I will fill her up and get underneath with a mirror. Any clues as to bypass it if that is the problem Blueka and where am I looking for replacement, Quickco?
If it is a plug is it an engine out job robertoa1a?

If it's a freeze plug on the side of the block, the you can probably change it with the engine in easily. if it's one on the back of the block (Behind the flywheel) you will need to take the engine out (or the transmission, you're choice, i'd go engine)

have somebody pour water in, and you crawl under it and see where it starts coming out from.. then you can pinpoint it. hopefully you haven't overheated it too much and damaged anything

 

[chance942]

Thanks Guys. I will fill her up and get underneath with a mirror. Any clues as to bypass it if that is the problem Blueka and where am I looking for replacement, Quickco?
If it is a plug is it an engine out job robertoa1a?

Hardware store? What do you all call it in the UK? Go get you some plumbing pipe fittings(iron) and some teflon tape. Fabricate an "L" shaped contraption and connect your heater hoses to it. You should be able to do this to where you don't have any nasty kinks and without cutting the hoses. Use the teflon to cover the threads on the pipe so you don't cut up your hoses.

 

[robertoa1a]

I replaced a freeze plug on a Ford 400ci in a truck with one of those rubber bolt on plugs without having to pull the engine. Space seems kind of restricting on my Explorer.

I'm hoping a career mechanic will reply soon posibly with pictures.

 

[chance942]

I replaced a freeze plug on a Ford 400ci in a truck with one of those rubber bolt on plugs without having to pull the engine. Space seems kind of restricting on my Explorer.

I'm hoping a career mechanic will reply soon posibly with pictures.

Yeah,while you sat in the engine bay to do it. Get real sportsfan there is no room on these trucks.

 

[blueka]

I'll PM you my number mate, gimme a call after 5pm on Sunday, cos I work nights, and I'll talk you thru bypassing it


Si

 

[robertoa1a]

That's true. I didn't mean to doubt anyone's skill. It just seems like there would have to be a short cut or something besides pulling the engine. That engine must have stuffed in there with a shoe horn.

If it were mine I would be having thoughts about cutting a hole in the firewall.

 

[englishowner]

Thanks again Guys. On further inspection with a good torch (flash light)it seems that the coolant is not coming from the engine but from somewhere above the passenger side (the english passenger side) exhaust manifold which leads me to suspect the heater matrix, although I can't actually see exactly where it originates. Also it doesn't seem to leak when the engine is turned off.
Thanks for the PM blueka.

 

[Blee1099]

If it looks like the image below then its the heater control valve.. Its a common failure..

 

[chance942]

Wth

 

[chance942]

Well if it doesn't leak when the engine is off your cooling system isn't pressurizing. So where is it going?

 

[alohamonte]

+1 heater control valve

the valve will only leak when the car is running and heat on (when the valve is open)

it will drip steadily from the top of the motor (pass side) and blow around while the car is moving (no puddle). while the car is idle, it will drip onto the exhaust manifold and steam away (no puddle).

to find it, trace your heater hoses from the firewall to the valve. can't miss it.

 

[chance942]

+1 heater control valve

the valve will only leak when the car is running and heat on (when the valve is open)

it will drip steadily from the top of the motor (pass side) and blow around while the car is moving (no puddle). while the car is idle, it will drip onto the exhaust manifold and steam away (no puddle).

to find it, trace your heater hoses from the firewall to the valve. can't miss it.

It doesn't matter if the heat is on(blower) if the selector valve is on true heat the core is pressurized also. In this condition you'll hear the leak w/truck on or off, with a small little doozy leak like this coolant flowing makes it harder to spot. Turn off the rig and listen for it.

If at idle it is in fact dripping on the manifold your nose will direct you to it instantly.