2001 Escape coolant leak

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Apr 25, 2021 | 07:41 PM

Boonieman

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From: Px, AZ

2001 Escape coolant leak

I have a 2001 4x4 Escape with 3L. Car has begun to leak coolant all over front of engine,behind serpentine belt. I cleaned engine and got it to running temp. while on jacks. It would not show mje a leak. over night, it appears to have leaked a small amount from behind/under power steering pump. I cannot tell where the actual leak point is. I do not see how it can be the P.S. pump. does anyone know what has coolant in that area which could be leaking?

Apr 26, 2021 | 09:29 AM

scott91370

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From: Burleson, Tx

We had an issue in that general area as well. There is a hose that, for some reason, has a plastic coupler. It's not a T, just a regular two sided plastic coupler. Ours went form perfect to cracking in half with no warning and all the coolant spewed out - replaced it with a brass coupler and hose clamps. Thankfully my wife was able to pull over and we had it towed home and it ran another 4 years (50k miles). I don't have any pics to make it easier but if you just start grabbing hoses and moving them I bet, if it is this same coupler, it will start leaking.

Also, the water pump is in the same area.

Apr 26, 2021 | 01:59 PM

Boonieman

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From: Px, AZ

I am confused. I find no hoses in the area of the power steering pump, which appears to be the leak point. Also, the water pump is on the back of the engine. My leak is wetting the front of engine, behind serpentine belt.

Apr 26, 2021 | 02:09 PM

scott91370

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From: Burleson, Tx

You're right. Disregard my entire post. I read it totally wrong and mixed up the power steering and water pumps.

If you would have explained it any clearer there would have been a picture - you detailed everything and I still screwed up.

If it is coolant, I wonder if the radiator or hose might have a hole and be spraying in that direction. You could go to an auto parts store and borrow a coolant pressure tester to see if you can get enough pressure built to make it leak - this can be done without heating the engine so it's easier to feel around.

Apr 27, 2021 | 08:51 AM

Boonieman

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From: Px, AZ

I ran it up to operating temp. but nothing happened. Then, the next morn., I find some seepage of coolant running down front of engine, from under/behind steering pump. This is why I am bothered. The only thing I see possible to leak in that area is the intake manifold?!

Apr 27, 2021 | 11:23 AM

scott91370

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From: Burleson, Tx

No water running through intake manifold so I have no idea where it could be from.

Apr 30, 2021 | 08:24 PM

DBGrif91

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From: Des Moines

Behind the water pump and under the throttle body - in the valley - there’s a fitting for one of the coolant hoses to connect directly to the block. My 2002 3.0 had this fitting leak where it’s pressed into the block.

It’s possible that fitting or hose is leaking, then the coolant is running to the other side of the valley and leaking down the front of the engine.