My explorer with 4.0 sohc is starting to leak fluid out of the thermostat housing. How hard is this to do and what can I expect in cost to do it myself. I dont drive this explorer but about 2 miles each way to work as I live on a military post. I have been putting it off ( just keep adding coolant and water) every couple of days. I have noticed that the engine temp doesnt not get up to half way like it use too. Maybe 1/4 of the way on the gauge now. I have always flushed coolant system very two years. It is starting to get some rush in the overflow bottle now too. Other then that she runs good and no other engine issues. She does have a 136k on her.

 

change the thermostat (sounds stuck open, unless there is air in the system) and the gasket ($5-10), that should take care of both problems. I don't know the sohc setup but I can't see the coolant system to much different then the ohv. The job on the ohv is quick and simple, 3 bolts right in front, just the bottom one is a bit tight because of a pulley. you might also want to flush the system again and flush the reservoir out.

 

Those housings are notorious for leaking. Available from your local FORD dealer.

 

It sucks, but can be done with some time and ingenuity! If your loosing coolant and can smell it when parking but cannot really find out where it's coming from, then more then likely it is the thermostat housing. Had to do a pressure test to find mine, but even with that it was hard to see it actually coming out of the housing. About 4-5 hours later I finally had it changed and no problems since.

 

I can see it leaking where the hard plastic meets the bottom part of the coolant housing. It took me awhile to find it, coolant usually runs down front of engine.

 

You will have to remove the intake to replace the hsg if you have the sohc X engine Buy Factory Air Outlet / Housing Kit 85331 at Advance Auto Parts Mine had a crack between the sending units.

 

pull throttle body off,just loosen the intake bolts t-27 8ea don't remove bolts ,till intake up enough to pull the sensors out first, then remove the housing out replace housing, and all o-rings even on sensors
i did this about 2weeks ago, three times to be exact no air leaks and holding water at -45f.
good luck
learning to be a ford mechanic

 

I didn't pull throttle body and just unbolted intake hosing from intake manifold, removed upper hoses to get mine out and replace but it was a pain in the butt and took some time and figuring to get it done, but it is done and working great now!
Now to tackle the 2-3 shift flare and O/D light flashing issues with the valve body!!! Yippee!