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Coolant leak on front side of engine...help!

2

281Thunder

Veteran CEG'er
Joined
Feb 27, 2007
Messages
618
Location
Inwood, WV
Ok this problem has seemed to start over the last day. I've got some sort of coolant leak on the front of the engine (meaning left I guess). Of course I can't see a thing about where exactly it's coming from. All I can tell is that it's coming from somewhere above the A/C compressor, and somewhere around the #4 exhaust port. What around there could possibly be leaking coolant out? It's not a severe leak, as it hasn't been enough to make the low level light come on yet, but it's enough that if I'm sitting at a stop light, you can see a little smoke rolling out from under the hood. I'm really hoping this isn't a head gasket that's somehow blown out. My oil looks and smells normal, and I haven't noticed any loss in power. If I loosen the coolant tank cap, the smoking stops (obviously since it won't build pressure). And if I put my ear down to the coolant tank, I can hear a gurgling sound. Any ideas?
 
I also just went out and pulled the #4 and #5 plugs...nothing unusual there...burning just fine.

I guess what I'm asking is there something in that area, like a freeze plug or something. I know the 4.6 has a threaded brass plug in each side of the block that you use to drain the coolant with.
 
Coolant leak

Coolant leak

It could be that the head gasket is leaking coolant not into the oil but possibly into the exhaust. If it is going into the exhaust white smoke should be visible behind the car. Have the cooling system pressure tested. That may show that the head gasket has failed. Depending on the severity of the failure this may only show when the engine is hot. Should get it checked out as this will not improve with time.
If it does turn out to be a head gasket I would suggest that you do the intake cleaning at the same time as you have to disassemble the top end to get at the gasket. Additionally I would change both head gaskets. I have been chastised on this site for replacing things that are not broke. But you already have to tear down the top end. Both heads have gone the same amount of miles. You can make the call. Dan
 
It is possible that your coolant crossover tube which passes in the vicinity of the exhaust and the AC compressor has developed a leak or one of the hoses is leaking.. it is possible for that tube to rust a pin hole in it and spray on the exhaust or engine and be very hard to find. I would try and check that hoses and tube as this would be cheaper and easier than the head gaskets... good luck coolant hose/tube leaks can be a pain to locate/fix
 
Coolant leak

Coolant leak

I would agree to try and locate the leak prior to tearing into the engine. Just makes good sense. Thats the reason I suggested a pressure test. An external leak is much easier and cheaper to fix than an internal leak. But PLEASE correct before driving. These engines are very sensitive to excessive heat.
My concern over the head gasket was the gurgling noise when the cap is removed. It could be the noise from low coolant moving in the radiatior (hopefully) or exhaust being injected into the cooling system. Checking the emissions from the tail pipe could help to include or eliminate the head gasket. Dan
 
Actually have it figured out...at least I think.

I met up with fastCougar yesterday and had him look it over. He agreed with my initial thoughts. The head gasket is leaking where it meets the head. Not bad yet, but it's on it's way out. It's also got some bubbling in the coolant tank I hadn't really noticed. Also, after doing a compression check on 4,5,6...5 and 6 had roughly 205-210, and 4 had about 175.

Time for a 3L. :o
 
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