Bad coolant leak.

[dburton07]

Truck has a bad coolant leak. It's not HUGE, but its slow and constant when the truck is running. Found out at work on thursday when I went outside on my break and found a huge puddle of coolant under my truck. Upon further inspection today, I found where it is, but I don't know what it means....besides a leak. Could it be a cracked head? Blown gasket? I took a picture, sorry for the small text, it was bigger in paint....

 

[fordwheelinman]

From your description and picture it looks as though the leak is comign from where the front cover meets the block. There is a gasket there, and a coolant passage from the block, throught the front cover, to the water pump. Does it leak all the time when it is running or just when the truck is hot and the system has pressure on it?

You may want to check your oil to see if the gasket is completely blown and leaking coolant into the crankcase. Pull the dipstick and check for a whitish brownis milkshake looking stuff.

 

[Jspafford]

From your description and picture it looks as though the leak is comign from where the front cover meets the block. There is a gasket there, and a coolant passage from the block, throught the front cover, to the water pump. Does it leak all the time when it is running or just when the truck is hot and the system has pressure on it?

You may want to check your oil to see if the gasket is completely blown and leaking coolant into the crankcase. Pull the dipstick and check for a whitish brownis milkshake looking stuff.

And if there is oil in the antifreeze or antifreeze in the oil...DO NOT DRIVE IT!

 

[dburton07]

From your description and picture it looks as though the leak is comign from where the front cover meets the block. There is a gasket there, and a coolant passage from the block, throught the front cover, to the water pump. Does it leak all the time when it is running or just when the truck is hot and the system has pressure on it?

You may want to check your oil to see if the gasket is completely blown and leaking coolant into the crankcase. Pull the dipstick and check for a whitish brownis milkshake looking stuff.

Oil and coolant are still seperated. Did all the checks for a blown head gasket just to be safe. It leaks when running, and continues after its shut off and still warm. It's at my parents house at the moment. Don't have the time or location to fix it yet.

 

[dorman68]

What a coincidence. My Ranger started leaking in the same exact spot about 2 months ago. The same applies to me " Oil and coolant are still separated. Mine only leaks when running, and continues after its shut off and still warm." I am convinced that I need a head gasket, I just don't have the time to tackle the job and don't trust any repair facility with the job. I bought a 2.3L 4-cyl in the meantime while the 1992 3.0L sits and awaits repair. I wife thinks that pigs will fly before I'll fix the 3.0L, we'll see.

 

[dburton07]

What a coincidence. My Ranger started leaking in the same exact spot about 2 months ago. The same applies to me " Oil and coolant are still separated. Mine only leaks when running, and continues after its shut off and still warm." I am convinced that I need a head gasket, I just don't have the time to tackle the job and don't trust any repair facility with the job. I bought a 2.3L 4-cyl in the meantime while the 1992 3.0L sits and awaits repair. I wife thinks that pigs will fly before I'll fix the 3.0L, we'll see.

Wow that is a coincidence. Mines at the parents house. A buddy of mine said he'd probably buy it and fix is himself, if thats the case i'll do it!

Good luck with fixing yours.

 

[shadetree]

It looks to me like it may be coming from the core plug just above the leak in the end of the cylinder head. Scratch the plug with a screwdriver or something, and see if it punches thru.

The head gasket could also be leaking to the outside.

Also check the intake manifold where it bolts to the cylinder head at the front. It could be leaking and running down.shady

 

[dburton07]

We did check the plug, and it wasn't leaking there, after we pulled off the alternator we could see exactly where it was leaking because the engine was still a little warm and there was still some pressure built, and it was bubbling out, but i'll take a peak at the intake manifold as well. Thanks Shady.

 

[scruffy1]

I had the same symptoms and had all the same questions. You need to replace the timing cover gasket. Fordwheelinman is right, there is a coolant passage within the timing cover. It is not a hard job. Gasket kit cost less than $10. It is a pain to get to but well worth the cost savings. This is one of those jobs that the labor cost is 90 percent of the bill. You will need a puller and installer for the vibration damper, and a strap wrench for the fan clutch. Good Luck!

 

[evanesce69]

The fan clutch comes off clockwise, it is reverse threaded due to the rotation of the engine. You will have to remove the front two oil pan bolts. Be careful with disassembling the front cover so that you do not damage the pan gasket. It is a one piece gasket. As far as i know there are no "ears" that the older engine repair kits provide for the section between front pan seal and the small section along the pan rails.



Rob

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

timing cover seal

 

[dburton07]

Cracked hose....... My dad cut the bad part off, put the hose back on, no leak.......

 

[dorman68]

What a coincidence. My Ranger started leaking in the same exact spot about 2 months ago. The same applies to me " Oil and coolant are still separated. Mine only leaks when running, and continues after its shut off and still warm." I am convinced that I need a head gasket, I just don't have the time to tackle the job and don't trust any repair facility with the job. I bought a 2.3L 4-cyl in the meantime while the 1992 3.0L sits and awaits repair. I wife thinks that pigs will fly before I'll fix the 3.0L, we'll see.

Well guys, you are all really on the ball. After reading some of your replies I second guessed my diagnosis. I jumped the gun. I took a second look and the timing cover is definately leaking coolant, boy am I glad I took the time to double check, it would have really sucked doing a headgasket job for nothing. Thanks for chiming in.

 

[evanesce69]

No problem dorman68, it sure is easier doing the timing than doing the heads.




Rob

 

[killacal]

That's a very easy job to tackle. Judging by those pictures the the timing cover looks like it hasn't been off since it rolled of the production line. Give those bolts a good soak down with Parts Blaster before you start pulling it apart. Those bolts can be a bitch to find if you break em'.

Just my $.02
Cal