Just bought a 2000 excursion, 129k, what I thought was pretty good shape.

I just tried to go on a 200 mile round trip to see family. I stopped 50 miles int the trip to get some lunch and saw steam coming from my passenger wheel well. I got it stopped and checked out- big water leak from the rear passenger side of the engine, dripping on to the Y pipe and causing the steam.

In doing some research, it appears it may be the heater core hose that goes under the intake, or at least I hope it is. Gauge didn't say there was any overheating, overflow level was only about 2" below cold min, engine running fine.

There is a youtube video of a guy pulling the alternator, cutting the bypass hose behind the water pump and running a new hose to the heater core, bypassing the broken metal pipe and not having to pull the intake. HAS anyone done this? It looks much easier, and removes a known trouble component, as well as not having to give more money to Ford for the part they designed badly anyway.

My plan is to cut my trip short and nurse it home, stopping every 5 to 10 miles to check the coolant level and refill, then do the repair in a day or two when it isn't raining.

Any ideas or pointers, or anywhere I should look for a leak, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Michael

 

Well, there's no water I can see in the lifter valley, so maybe it's something else. Any other ideas where water could be coming from, up higher, dripping down onto the bell housing and off there onto the Y pipe.

-Michael

 

Ok, I was able to get a different view and there is indeed some water in the lifter valley, in the rear, so i'm back to thinking one of the heater hoses back there, possibly the intake gasket. I think I need to try to get a bore scope to see better back there.

 

Sorry for lack of replies here. Usually great turn out. Maybe your problem just doesn't click with anyone here

i suggest posting this in the Excursion section.

 

Just a quick update- I found the leak- it was a pretty big hole worn in the underside of the heater bypass tube that comes off the back of the water pump. Here's a pic from my borescope snaked back there.



Leak on underside of bypass tube

I pulled the alternator, cut the pipe where it joins to the water pump, and am running a heater hose instead, up and out of between the intake runners on the passenger side.

Thanks all, hope this helps someone.

-Michael