I have a 96 Explorer 4.0L V6 that is leaking coolant around the timing chain front cover. Do I need to remove the oil pan to replace the timing chain cover gasket?
Another question....can the oil pan be removed without taking the motor out of the vehicle. It looks like remove the starter, a bunch of bolts and the oil pan should drop straight down.
Thanks.

 

You need to locate the coolant leak, here is no coolant under the timing chain cover.

Clean, dry it and pressurize the cooling system, look around Thermo housing, lower manifold gasket..

On the oil pan issue, the easiest way is to drop the front diff....

 

Please share a follow-up on the coolant leak where you felt you needed to change your timing chain cover’s gasket. I had s similar experience and thoughts until I did some serious tracing and took pics where I c/n see. My 1993 Explorer’s leak appears to be coming from the thermostat housing above the cover (but runs along the seam of the cover and block.

My question: Is it common for the thermostat’s housing’s “O” Ring to go bad in 5-10 years due to the hot block where it’s located. This is my 2nd to go bad if this is the case as it was about 10 years ago. The 93 has more age than the 115,000 miles on it.

My post is at: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ater-pump.html

1st page if the address does not work: Does coolant pass through 93 Explorer’s timing chain cover to the water pump?
wickware


JOW