coolant leaking from somewhere!

[Fordmommy]

2001 Ford Ranger is leaking coolant. So we have replaced the water pump,thermostat and upper radiator hose. Also several pulleys and serpentine belt, etc. Took it back today due to coolant leaking and it looked like it was the water pump seal leaking and when we checked it the lower hose was not leaking. Took it back to the shop and they say oh your lower hose is leaking and your timing chain gasket is leaking, the water pump is fine. Now I suspect they might have loosened that hose because it was not covered in fluid and leaking yesterday when we left it there! Has anyone else had a problem like this where they say its your timing chain cover gasket leaking coolant? I just don't trust these people anymore, something just does not sound right here!
Is a pressure test the best way to find the leak around a timing chain cover gasket if we are checking for leaks with a tester?

 

[ElectraRider]

Yes they can leak behind the timing chain cover, didn't pull the engine 4.0, man what a pain in the butt. Next time I will pull my engine.

 

[scott01ranger]

Check your radiator, the plastic end tanks crack when they get old. Me and my brother both own 2001 Rangers, and we both had to replace our radiators.

 

[swynx]

go to good will... grab some cheap white sheets... park the truck with sheets under engine bay.. start it... grab a chair and a cold one... inspect with a rag wiping every where youve been.

this is how i found my saturns coolant leak, after replacing everything. you could also just throw some sealer in there and hope that works.

my saturn actually just boiled over before the fan kicked on. but you should have a mechanical fan rather than an e-fan so i doubt this would be your problem.

 

[RonD]

What engine do you have?

Yes, you can rent a cooling system pressure tester, just a gauge and hand pump that fits on rad cap opening.

Pump it up to 20psi and find the leak, on a cold engine it is much easier to feel around to find leaks.

You can also add an Ultra Violet(UV) dye to the coolant, run the engine until it is warm, t-stat opens, then shut it off and use a UV light to trace leak back to it's source.
Usually UV dye and UV flash light are under $20.

I prefer the pressure test but that's just me