My 1997 E150 V-8 engine has had a slow external anti-freeze leak for several months, but now it has increased to the point where I need to investigate further. The leak appears to be below the water pump, on the front side of the engine, but I can't see where the leak originates. The anti-freeze runs down the front of the engine and drips from the right front corner (passenger side) oil pan bolt. The fluid does not appear to come from the top of the engine or the head gasket areas. I cannot detect any anti-freeze in the oil or exhaust.

Do you have any ideas what might cause this leak? How do we fix it on our own?

Thank you for your help.

 

I have a 1997 E-250 4.2 with the same problem.I Put a new water pump on.

 

Hi Dennis and RH. Welcome to FTE

RH did the water pump cure your problem? The front covers on the 4.2 leak sometimes too.
Dennis a couple possibilities would be the water pump like RH said and maybe the front of the intake manifold. You will probably have to clean it off really well and maybe pressure test it to find the leak. You might have to remove the air filter housing etc to see in there unless you can find it from underneath. There are no really common coolant leak problems on the V-8s. The heater pipe that runs under the intake manifold sometimes rusts out but they usually leak at the back of the engine.
Let us know what you find.

 

Racerguy,

I have a few questions.
1. Are the "front covers" you speak of the same as the infamous "timing cover gasket" that was recalled? Can you describe the location of these and possibly why it has coolant near it?
2. Is there any good way to inpsect the intake manifold gasket leak? I was unable to get a good vantage point on the leak due to brackets and the alternator.
3.Let's say it is the front cover gasket that is leaking (not sure where that is, my chiltons is fairly worthless), would you also consider replacing the intake manifold gasket and possibly the head gasket too?

Thanks!

 

Your engine doesnt have timing cover gaskets that can leak. The V6 does but the V8's dont. On the V6 the coolant goes through the timing cover from the water pump to the block.
If you cant see anything after you remove the air filter housing you might be able to take a small mirror and a light and see better. Leaks can be a real pain to find sometimes.

 

Racerguy,

The new water pump did cure the problem, I t sure was a mystery.I hope this helps you Dennis of KC.

 

Good to hear it was just the water pump and not the timing cover

 

The info really helps me. Thank you.

 

Hello fellow 4.2 owners. I have the famous 1997 4.2. This thing has lost coolant since about day one. I brought it to the ford dealer after recieving the recall notice in 99. The dealer told me that they would fix the problem but it would cost me about $300.00 dollars ( something about water pump bolts snapping.) I said let me check with ford. The service tech put me down as being refused. So long story short well shorter. I have been going through about a half gallon coolant and half quart of oil every 3k miles. Oil changed faithfully every 3k. She coughs and sputters ocasionally but smooths out. Hey what the heck do ya want after 170k. I drive this truck 6 hours straight and she needs a little drink and some lube every 3k.

I can honestley say this motor has run o.k. I have just changed the lower radiator hose assy and that seems to have slowed the coolant leak/oil leak. But I think I am just going to through a new Neco engine in. Before she blows. I haven't done anything to this truck other than tires, Brakes and change the oil.

The dealer said he would work with me on fixing gasket problem if I could show him the recall letter and also since the service rep pulled a fast one by putting me in the computer as refused work in 1999. So I think I might squeeze the dealer and see if I can get him to work with me on replacing the motor. I am open for suggestions.

 

Yeah, it sounds like the water pump gasket is leaking or the ose is leaking close to the engine and/ or water pump.

 

Thanks for all of your help. Here is what we did to fix the problem. The leak was coming from the front cover gasket. The gasket was changed per ONP 99B29. To prevent future problems we also changed the lower intake manifold gasket per TSB 99-20-7. The problem is fixed.