Coolant Leak - 3.0L Edge 4x4 w/Auto.

[Bronco638]

Hi All,

I just purchased a 2001 Edge 4x4 with the 3.0 and auto tranny, 126K miles. After just a few minutes of running, I'll see a small spot of coolant on the ground below the engine. I do know this is coolant because I can see the green-ish color and the spot on the driveway will rinse away with water.

If I lie on the ground under the engine, with feet pointing forward, I can see some coolant on the axle tube and well as the front cross member. Looking further up, I can see what I think is coolant on the right front corner of the engine block (on the same surface where the oil pan bolts to - the oil pan has a rounded corner exposing the lower surface of the block).

Opening the hood for further investigation, I can't really see much because of all of the accessory components at the front of the block. I do not see any fluid up near the t-stat housing & upper radiator hose (but it's hard to see around that area). I cannot see the water pump at all.

The amount of coolant loss, on the ground, is minimal (1/2 a shot glass?). However, it bugs me to have a leak like that, because 1) it leaves a mess in the garage/driveway and 2) how much more is leaking out under pressure?

The water pump is not making any noises (the typical Ford pump bearing "wee-wee-wee-wee") when running. It does not run hot (gauge needle is in the 'normal', central, area of the sweep).

I'm guessing the pump is leaking but just want to confirm, if anyone has any experience with a leak like this, before I tear everything apart.

BTW, I did do a search and came up with a few threads but nothing like this.

TIA, Dave.

 

[RonD]

Best method of attack, IMO, would be to rent a cooling system pressure tester, remove some of the items blocking your view of the front of the engine, then pump up the pressure in the cooling system to find the leak.
Cooling system pressure tester is just a hand pump, gauge and rad cap fitting.

Working on a cold engine is much easier, but cold engine has no pressure in cooling system so harder to spot a leak, pressurizing system makes it much easier to spot.

 

[Bronco638]

That's a good idea Ron. Fortunately, this truck doesn't have to do much, if any duty until next Winter. I should be able to diagnose and resolve the issue by then.

I was wondering if the Ranger's water pump has a "weep" hole like the old Mustang pumps did. Generally, when they were ready to fail, they would start to weep coolant which was a pretty good indicator that it was time to plan for a replacement.

Not being familiar with the front of the 3.0 V6 block, I'm wondering if the pump might be weeping in such a way as to leak down the right front corner of the block.

 

[hondaxr650]

Take a look up the sides of the timing cover. It's pretty common for the 3.0s to leak around the coolant ports into the block. That'll make it look like the coolant is coming from the front lower corners of the engine because the coolant follows the edges of the timing cover down to the oil pan.

 

[RonD]

Yes, it has a weep hole.

Also don't overlook a "spraying" leak, I had a pin hole on a coolant hose that only sprayed when under pressure, tiny stream, PITA to find that since it was dripping where the leak wasn't, lol.

 

[Bronco638]

Thanks XR6, I'll try to determine if I can even see the sides of the timing cover.

As for pin hole leaks, I guess those are best observed when the engine is hot and still under pressure. I need to take a quick run to the Mall this evening. Perhaps I'll be able to observe one, if the timing cover isn't the culprit.

UPDATE: After a short ride (15 miles, round trip), last night, there is no evidence of a leak, on the driveway, this morning. Previously, I had been starting the truck and driving it a very short distance and then shutting it off. Just enough running time to build pressure but not enough time to open the t-stat. I'm really kind of stumped now.

 

[det107]

Take a look up the sides of the timing cover. It's pretty common for the 3.0s to leak around the coolant ports into the block. That'll make it look like the coolant is coming from the front lower corners of the engine because the coolant follows the edges of the timing cover down to the oil pan.

X2
I thought it was the water pump too but the timing cover gasket was soaking wet from the leak (not a big loss of coolant, drive like that for 3 yrs)-

 

[JeremyS]

Take a look up the sides of the timing cover. It's pretty common for the 3.0s to leak around the coolant ports into the block. That'll make it look like the coolant is coming from the front lower corners of the engine because the coolant follows the edges of the timing cover down to the oil pan.

I just replaced the timing cover gasket on my 02 Ranger. It was an intermittent leak. It may go a week or more without leaking a drop, then I would be down a pint after a short trip.

My cover was leaking towards the top, directly behind the water pump. It was leaking down the side of the block along the timing cover, drip onto the frame, and then drip down to the ground in a different area.

This seems to be a very common problem.

 

[Bronco638]

Thanks guys, I'll have a closer look at the timing chain cover.

 

[bg@f.ord]

The heater hoses have plastic fittings.Over time you could be doing plug wire replacement,Etc.If you look @ the hoses wrong they leak.I love my truck,but Ford could have done better.This is notorious for coolant leaks

 

[Bronco638]

Where are these plastic fittings? At the heater core (firewall) or at the block?

I'm pretty sure the leak is at the timing chain cover. The location of the dripping is consistent. I'm also starting to hear the "Ford water pump noise" after the truck as has been sitting for a week or so. I have to think it's time for a water pump replacement (along with coolant and hoses). I might even install a block heater, too.