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Pulled into the driveway today to see a bunch of white smoke coming from my hood. I have a 01 ranger with the 4.0. I was able to trace a small stream of coolant while under the truck. Appeared to be coming from the very back of the head. I’m thinking 1 of 2 scenarios. Head gasket or maybe intake is there is a passage back there. There’s no unusually high pressure on the radiator hoses. That leads me to believe maybe it’s the intake gasket. What are your guy’s thoughts?
4.0s commonly leak from the thermostat housing. It's a big plastic piece located in the valley. It gets super brittle over time and cracks and send coolant everywhere.
4.0s commonly leak from the thermostat housing. It's a big plastic piece located in the valley. It gets super brittle over time and cracks and send coolant everywhere.
If you pull the intake tube off you can see it.
Do you think it would be possible for it to be leaking and making it’s way to the back at the same spot? There’s nothing leaking from the front that I can tell.
Do you think it would be possible for it to be leaking and making it’s way to the back at the same spot? There’s nothing leaking from the front that I can tell.
Yeah the coolant will sit in the valley and run out the back down the bell housing.
Yep, prime suspect is the junk Plastic ThermoStat Housing
spewing coolant into the cave under the IntakeManifold that overflows back & down onto the tranny bell.
Order a new Aluminum ThermoStat Housing to cure this issue for good.
Your local parts counter likely only stocks the Ford\AfterMarket plastic junk.
Seoond suspect, is the PCVCoolantLoop small 5/16" hoses that run across the back of the engine
to the PCVValve on the rear of the left ValveCover.
Yep, prime suspect is the junk Plastic ThermoStat Housing
spewing coolant into the cave under the IntakeManifold that overflows back & down onto the tranny bell.
Order a new Aluminum ThermoStat Housing to cure this issue for good.
Your local parts counter likely only stocks the Ford\AfterMarket plastic junk.
Seoond suspect, is the PCVCoolantLoop small 5/16" hoses that run across the back of the engine
to the PCVValve on the rear of the left ValveCover.
Im going to purchase a borescope and check those areas. Looks like t housing may be wet so that could be the culprit. But I can’t get good enough light. Figured it would be a good enough excuse for new equipment haha. I’ll report back what I find.
I had no idea they sold an aluminum housing. I've probably changed that stupid plastic one 4 or 5 times. I remember cussing a lot trying to get my fingers under the throttle body.
...going to purchase a borescope and check those areas
...t housing may be wet so that could be the culprit
...can’t get good enough light.
...excuse for new equipment haha.
...I’ll report back
........
Originally Posted by muhford
...no idea they sold an aluminum housing
...changed that stupid plastic one 4 or 5 times
...cussing a lot trying to get my fingers under the throttle
Looks like it is indeed the thermostat housing. Finally got my borescope today. Looking at the engine, I found coolant from the back where it was leaking, and traced it all the way back to...the housing. Glad it was this and not something worse. For those who got there’s, where did you get it/brand. I’m guessing they are all the same but wanted to make sure I get one that others have had good luck with. Thanks guys.
...is indeed the thermostat housing
...found coolant from the back where it was leaking, and traced
...where did you get it
...guessing they are all the same
During my original search for Alum ThermoStat Housing options for the V6~4.0L~SOHC, found basicly 2 designs:
~ version from SimmonsAutoSportz\SAS has lower body machined from single block of alum.
~ version from other vendors has two piece body, LowerBowl + TopPlate, joined at a Flang+ORing with 3 ThreadedBushings.
SAS version is more expensive; both versions are a definte improvement over Ford\AfterMarket junk plastic; each has advantages.
Beyond that you just need to spec the TempSensors (1 or 2 Each, ThreadMt or ClipMt),
& the Radiator Outlet HoseBarb routing (RightHi, RightLo, or Foreward),
so to match your vehicles original factory sensors & hose routing. Click here for more info on Alum TStat Housing options.
This version is from SKP\RockAuto, typical of several vendors 2Piece design.
This is 1Piece Body design from SAS.
Last edited by DILLARD000; Apr 19, 2021 at 05:05 AM.
Looks like the housing fixed it. I also flushed and replaced the coolant because it was well past due. Temps are fine on the code scanner. But the gauge now measures around 2/3 up on the normal range. I’m guessing it’s just the cheap Chinese sensor that came with the housing isn’t very accurate. Anyone ever had this issue?
...housing fixed it
...flushed and replaced the coolant
...Temps are fine on the code scanner. But the gauge now measures around 2/3 up
...guessing it’s just the cheap Chinese sensor
Only way to be sure about these sensors is to measure+note their resistance in IceWater & BoilingWater;
comparing Ford parts with the AfterMarket parts. They're "ThermoCouples" (Google it); resistance+voltage varies with temp.
Sensor for Gauge & sensor for PCM have different ranges & connectors are keyed differently; so not interchangable.
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