head gasket?
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Joined: Sep 2003
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head gasket?
My '94 Ford Bronco, Eddie Bauer Edition, 5.8 liter, 117K miles, w/ no major engine work that I'm aware of (2nd owner vehicle have had for 3 years w/ no problems).
Didn't quite overheat but got about 3/4 of the way up the interior dash gauge while driving 7 miles. Wasn't very hot outside, approx 80 F. Stopped, lifted the hood to the smell of antifreeze and a hissing sound coming from (seemingly) around the water pump. Was also some coolant pooled on the block behind the pump. Checked all the hoses, tight and not leaking. Figured it was a bad pump and took it to a local shop for diagnostics. Shop came back after performing a "Coolant leak diagnostic package" that apparently consisted of using tracer engine coolant dye. Said the pump was ok but the head gasket was leaking and would cost US$1500-$2000 to fix it. This is a bit more then I'd like to spend (obviously). I'm wondering if some type of coolant stop leak would work? The oil looks good so I don't believe coolant is present. However, I'm a bit concerned that if I add stop leak and it gets out of the cooling system, it may do more damage.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Didn't quite overheat but got about 3/4 of the way up the interior dash gauge while driving 7 miles. Wasn't very hot outside, approx 80 F. Stopped, lifted the hood to the smell of antifreeze and a hissing sound coming from (seemingly) around the water pump. Was also some coolant pooled on the block behind the pump. Checked all the hoses, tight and not leaking. Figured it was a bad pump and took it to a local shop for diagnostics. Shop came back after performing a "Coolant leak diagnostic package" that apparently consisted of using tracer engine coolant dye. Said the pump was ok but the head gasket was leaking and would cost US$1500-$2000 to fix it. This is a bit more then I'd like to spend (obviously). I'm wondering if some type of coolant stop leak would work? The oil looks good so I don't believe coolant is present. However, I'm a bit concerned that if I add stop leak and it gets out of the cooling system, it may do more damage.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,486
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From: Independence, MO
head gasket?
I would have it checked by some one else, SBF are not know for haveing head gasket problem, not say the cant blow one, but just not very comon, id chek for leak in the little curved bypas hose from the pump to the thermostat housing and check for posible a cracked thermost housing, and most of all $1500-2000K for head gasket? all the parts need are only 50-60 bucks for a fellpro head set. That beyond rediculous! hope this helps DW
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
head gasket?
I agree with DW completely on this one....$1500-2000....you could replace the whole 5.8 for that money! Get a second opinion.
Another possible location for the leak could be in the intake crossover coolant passages. There is one at the front of the intake and one at the rear. If either of the intake-to-head gaskets develope a leak, coolant will leak from any of these points at the four corners of the lower intake plenum. i know of at least a couple of people here who have dealt with this type of failed intake-to-head gasket problem. Its more often the rear cross over that begins to leak but anything is possible. Check for moisture in the crevice between the cylinder head and the lower intake plenum. A leak here could easily be mistaken for a leaking head gasket by someone unfamiliar with the small block coolant passage configuration.
Another possible location for the leak could be in the intake crossover coolant passages. There is one at the front of the intake and one at the rear. If either of the intake-to-head gaskets develope a leak, coolant will leak from any of these points at the four corners of the lower intake plenum. i know of at least a couple of people here who have dealt with this type of failed intake-to-head gasket problem. Its more often the rear cross over that begins to leak but anything is possible. Check for moisture in the crevice between the cylinder head and the lower intake plenum. A leak here could easily be mistaken for a leaking head gasket by someone unfamiliar with the small block coolant passage configuration.
