Mystery Coolant Leak

[Can-am]

I have been having a coolant leak issue with my 2000 3.0. It seems to be intermittent, and not dripping constantly. However, when it does leak, it is a fairly steady stream for a minute or two, and then it just stops. It does not empty the surge tank or the radiator when it does this, it just seems to stop randomly. It usually seems to do it around 30 seconds after you park it after having it warm. However, it has done it other times also. Once in the summer, it hadn’t been driven for days and it leaked all over the driveway just sitting there. It looks as if it runs out from behind the water pump on the drivers side, but you can’t see where the actual leak is. I have recently done head gaskets, water pump, and intake gaskets, but no change from before. Do you guys have any ideas? Thanks

 

[RonD]

One of these can rust out and leak: https://www.ranger-forums.com/attac...adiator-hose-dscn0298.jpg?dateline=1374288518
One on the left is most common, part number seen here: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lckAAOSw9p9aZ3gq/s-l1200.jpg

3.0l Vulcan engine was known for a front cover leak, timing chain cover

One 3.0l Ranger owner's visual comment on that leak seen here:

https://imgur.com/zlqY9

lol

In any case if it not a hose leak or water pump then the front cover is likely it
Holes with the leak seen here: https://www.therangerstation.com/forums/index.php?attachments/img_6301-1200a-jpg.53389/

Google: ford ranger 3.0l timing chain cover gasket leak
several videos and how-tos out there


On the reason it leaks now and then, and more and less
Cooling systems have no pressure in them until coolant is heated up and Expands in volume, i.e. 3gal becomes 3.5gal
Radiator cap holds that pressure in which raises the boiling point of the water or coolant, if pressure goes above 15psi then some of the coolant goes over to the Overflow tank, and its sucked back in when engine cools down

Engine metal also heats up and Expands, and this can re-seal a leaking gasket

So if you drive a short distance then not much pressure in cooling system to force coolant out of a leak point
And if engine metal heats up faster it may seal the leak temporarily

Not really helpful since it doesn't tell you where a leak is, lol

 

[Can-am]

Thanks, I didn’t even realize there were coolant passages there. I’ll take a look into that. It would make sense if that was causing the problem.

 

[Can-am]

I know it's been a couple of years, but if anyone ever has similar issues and stumbles across this thread, it was the timing chain cover gasket leaking on my 2000 3.0 ranger.