What is this leaking? (Pic)

[Dave-X]

I started to smell something and notice smoke coming from under the hood, when I looked I noticed this part bubbling & leaking fluid down onto a hot part of the engine and burning off. I'm not a truck expert, so I'm not sure what it even is. If it helps a few weeks before I noticed this the temperature gauge started randomly going up and down, even on short drives. A friend of mine thinks it's the thermostat. I've had it parked because I didn't want to cause any further damage.

It's a 1995 5-Speed 4.0L V6

Any information would be appreciated

 

[Earl43P]

Heater valve.
Cheap.
Available everywhere.

 

[97ranger4x4]

Yeh, I had one go out a few years ago. Its a 5 min fix.

Here is the Motorcraft Part Number, I found this on RockAuto.com for $18.27 It usually takes 3 or 4 days to get shipped. Autozone lists a knockoff brand for $26.99 Trust me, go with RockAuto. Also here is a discount code for like 5%, not much on an 18 dollar part, but hey if you have other stuff you need its on the whole order. 13843311142567 <-- Just enter this in the "How did you hear about us" line of the shopping cart.

MOTORCRAFT Part # YG350 {#F87Z18495AA}
WATER CONTROL VALVE

Hope this helps!

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Well it's definately not the thermostat. That's located at the very front of the lower intake manifold.

My truck, a 92, does not have that part. It looks like a fuel pressure regulator but it's not in the right location to be that (FPR's are mounted on the fuel rail, which that thing isn't).

Based on it's location, it looks like it has something to do with the air conditioning, but I don't know why it would have a vaccuum line going to it.

Hopefully someone with a 95-97 will chime in here before too long...

 

[Dave-X]

Heater valve.
Cheap.
Available everywhere.

Thanks Earl43P.

Would this also explaine the temperature gauge acting up as well?
Is there anything I should keep in mind while trying to replace it myself?

 

[BlackBII]

Should be an easy fix. Remove the two or three clamps, remove it and put the new one in.

 

[97ranger4x4]

Dave,

Check my post, I edited for all the info. Earl43p was right with the part name!

 

[Dave-X]

Fixed, but running a little hot.

Dave,

Check my post, I edited for all the info. Earl43p was right with the part name!

Alright, I went to Advanced Auto Parts got a replacement for $20. Aside from being a pain to get to the hose clamps, it installed fine.

I went around the block and let it sit running for about 10 minutes, no leaks.

However it seems to be running rather hot (I didn't see the temp gauge fluxuate, but it was over half from just sitting idle. Any suggestion on that?

Thanks foreverything so far!

 

[woodyedmiston]

My 2 cents

That #*($&%(%^)%$ part broke, emptying my radiator etc. on the freeway. By the time I stopped it was so hot a head cracked. My suggestion to anyone reading this thread is if it's over 5 years old on your truck - replace it.

On the other thing . . . are you sure you got the engine full of coolant?

 

[97ranger4x4]

^^^ Yeh I was just going to ask that. It might be worth while flushing your whole system.

 

[Dave-X]

Well I took it out for a good 30 minute drive mixed speeds, 30, 60 and 70.
The water temp gauge still fluxuates one or two times during the first 2-5 minutes.

After that it never got more than slighty over half-way to the red. It just seems a little higher than normal. It is about 81 degrees out today too.

I will look into flushing the system sometime, but I don't think it's a top prioirty right this minute.

The only thing that really bothers me now is how the gauge fluxuates almost to the red then drops. I never saw that before this leak I fixed.

Thanks everyone for all your help, now I don't have to drive that old car anymore!

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

I'd get the system flushed right away and have them install a new thermostat while they're at it. It doesn't seem like a big deal now, but when you're replacing cracked heads due to neglecting the cooling system you'll really wish you would have just done the maintenance on the cooling system.

The gauge should read under half under normal operating conditions. If I were you I would get a real coolant temp gauge (Advance will sell you a sunpro gauge for 15-20 bucks that you can mount on the dash or under the steering column or something) that way you can know what it's really running at. The thermostat should keep the engine at 195F. I would shut it off at 210F.

 

[427ford]

Change thermostat and flush the cooling system (cheap / easy). Replace the radiator cap while you're at it. It could be as simple as that cap venting pressure too early allowing the coolant to boil.

I'd also pull the dipstick and check the condition of the motor oil. Our '94 4.0 cracked a head when it was new (apparently there was a bad run of cyl head castings). The temp gauge was doing exactly what you've described before the head was replaced.

 

[jmg8550]

You have air trapped in your cooling system. They make a tool that will pull a vacuum on your cooling system to pull all the air out, and it will also fill your cooling system. Worth every penny.

 

[Twizzler09]

As previously stated, that part is the Water Control Valve/Water Shutoff Valve.

I've had repeating problems with that thing, the last occurence happening on the highway at 85mph (I was going to work and running waaay behind) and it literally exploded on the highway. Shot coolant everywhere, huge smoke cloud following me. Babied it to work and let it cool, thankfully didn't crack/blow a head/head gasket. Its been quite the problematic part for me. Put a few of those on over the last four years.

Its basic function, I think, is to control the flow of coolant to the heater core. could be wrong...but it wouldn't seem to have another useful purpose.