coolant leak
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Senior User
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From: MA
coolant leak
03 f350 5.4. Very minor coolant leak at the moment. Valley behind water pump looks a little damp and leak has shown a little on the passenger side block above the starter. Shows on the tranny bell housing and hits the y pipe every once and a while. Im thinking its the hose that runs under the intake manifold but wanted to check in here for some wisdom. Can it be bypassed or rerun without pulling everything.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: California High Desert
I have seen YouTube videos of guys running a hose over the top or around the head instead of removing the intake manifold to put a new one in. But I would call that a temporary solution to get you by until you have a chance to pull the manifold and do it properly. And this was being done on cars, such as a 4.6 in a Crown Vic. I say this because it’s a metal pipe on the 6.8 and also on the 5.4 I believe (I remember it being hose on the 4.6, but I could be mistaken). You are going to have to unbolt it from the rear of the passenger side head to get it off the nipple on the back of the pump anyway. There is the possibility that you have a leaking intake manifold anyway, and if you do the repair properly you will have to replace the manifold gaskets anyway and won’t have any worries about whether it was repaired properly.
Just be aware that if you do replace the heater pipe that it requires an o-ring for the water pump nipple which I could only find at my local Ford dealership
Just be aware that if you do replace the heater pipe that it requires an o-ring for the water pump nipple which I could only find at my local Ford dealership
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From: MA
Yea I saw that 4.6 video as well. At this point im thinking about ordering a dorman intake manifold that comes with gaskets and a thermostat. And doing the plugs and all The hoses while im in there. Only issue is its about 10 degrees out n snow is on the way. Cant smell coolant in the cab but might smell it a little at start up. Im not even sure if it leaks while driving or just once shut off.
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From: MA
No signs. More often then not it never even makes it to the ground. Thats what makes me believe its the hose in the valley under the intake weeping. Then with the slope if the engine and angle of the valley it trickles its way back. I did drain the reservoir and change the thermostat a while ago but nothing in those areas seem suspect. The only other things going on right now are a minor high idle at startup briefly before dropping, and every so often when I let off the throttle rpms hang high for a moment until I apply the brake. Maybe these are intake manifold issues but I was blaming a possibly dirty intake and iac for these.
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From: SW Chicago burbs
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From: MA
Doesnt seem to be the water pump itself. If you peek behind the pump and alt there is the the hose that goes to the pump. That is what a see suspect and the minor portion of the valley that is visible is wet. Yes the heat is always on lately. Set on defrost/feet.
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From: MA
The pumps aren't to expensive so when I figure out exactly whats going on and put together a part's order ill add that on. But if it were the pump itself leaking the remnants of the leak wouldn't b all the way back to above the starter and tranny bell housing I wouldn't think. They would b right at the front of the truck right? The passenger side of the block is damp right above the rear most freeze plug that is directly above the starter. This is were the leak begins trying to make its way to the pavement. Freeze plug itself looks fine.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: WV
subscribing...
mine has a very minor leak in that area as well so I expect to be working on it one of these days.
On the other hand, its been that way for about 4 years now and hasn't gotten any worse or caused any trouble.... yet.
mine has a very minor leak in that area as well so I expect to be working on it one of these days.
On the other hand, its been that way for about 4 years now and hasn't gotten any worse or caused any trouble.... yet.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Land of Taxes
Start simple...The cold will cause something to leak where it wouldnt in warmer temps. Make sure all clamps and connections are tight, the cold shrinks everything which = loose clamps etc...
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