Head Gaskets ?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 118
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From: Bloomfield, MO.
Head Gaskets ?
Has anyone ever had head gaskets to go bad and only leak antifreeze on the outside of the motor (passenger side)
(The oil is fine, no coolant in it, also no oil in the coolant)
I cannot find where this leak is comming from!!!
HELP
(The oil is fine, no coolant in it, also no oil in the coolant)
I cannot find where this leak is comming from!!!
HELP
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 624
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From: Georgia
Sure have. It was an 86 Ford Escort.
The head gasket blew out in two places. Both were from the water chamber to the outside of the engine. The oil chambers and cylinders still had their seal. I had to keep adding water to the radiator. Of course it radiator would not hold any pressure either.
I could see from under the engine where water would just flow out of the engine. The head wasn't warped or cracked. Just changed the gasket and put in new bolts.
Used it quite a while before replacing the car. Gave it to a friend from church and he used it. It may still be running as far as I know.
The head gasket blew out in two places. Both were from the water chamber to the outside of the engine. The oil chambers and cylinders still had their seal. I had to keep adding water to the radiator. Of course it radiator would not hold any pressure either.
I could see from under the engine where water would just flow out of the engine. The head wasn't warped or cracked. Just changed the gasket and put in new bolts.
Used it quite a while before replacing the car. Gave it to a friend from church and he used it. It may still be running as far as I know.
Elder User
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From: home
leaking headgasket
Had an outside leak on my 4.0 Aero. Sealed it with some epoxy. Lasted for a few months than blew on the inside into a cylinder. I would not seal it as the gasket maybe weak & than blow inside to the cylinder. Live & learn.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Littleton, CO
I think I have that exact situation right now with my 96 4.0L. I can see a distinct 'trail' down the block between cylinder 5 and 6 on the passenger side. I plan on using stop-leak as a temporary preventative measure until I can gather funds to get the gasket replaced.
Elder User
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From: home
leaky gasket
That is exactly where mine was leaking on mym93. I cleaned mine off with a wire brush on a dremel & used JB weldbehind a flat piece of aluminum. It worked but than months later it blew internally to the # 5 cylinder. I just think the gasket is weak their & the antifreeze seeks the easy way out. Your call.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 76
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From: Littleton, CO
Re: leaky gasket
Originally posted by Avanti
Your call.
Your call.
I am looking for a temporary solution only, just long enough to get finances figured out and find a competent shop here in the Denver area that will do the work at a reasonable rate. I am NOT interested in tearing it down myself.
I also need to figure out if a bad head gasket on one side is a tell-tale sign that the other will be going too. I hate to get nickel-and-dimed on this van, but don't really have too many options.
I really wonder how people can afford to have two brand new cars, and the payments that go along with them...
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Elder User
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From: home
stop leak
You can try some of the stop leak products. Beware they can stop up your heater. They sometimes have worked for me for a while. 
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Bloomfield, MO.
Re: stop leak
Originally posted by Avanti
You can try some of the stop leak products. Beware they can stop up your heater. They sometimes have worked for me for a while.
You can try some of the stop leak products. Beware they can stop up your heater. They sometimes have worked for me for a while.
Its has it stopped for now anyway.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Bloomfield, MO.
What all would you recommend replacing when I get ready to do this...
I know I should have the heads resurfaced and checked.
Or would you just break down and rebuild the entire motor?
It has 217 K miles, but still runs great and has plenty of power.
Does anyone have any favorite links to Remanufactured Engines?
I know I should have the heads resurfaced and checked.
Or would you just break down and rebuild the entire motor?
It has 217 K miles, but still runs great and has plenty of power.
Does anyone have any favorite links to Remanufactured Engines?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: home
high miles
I would go for an engine rebuild if you plan to keep it for a few more years. With that many miles there is ware on the bearings & cylinder walls. How is the transmission? Is this your primary car? Do you travel a lot? You need to consider this along with the costs. My 2 cents worth.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Head Gaskets?
You mentioned if you add stop leak it could plug up your heater. I have had a leak of anti-freeze and can't figure where it leaks, there is no drip or puddle on the driveway. I use stop leak, but I now notice my heater doesn't heat very well, it just blows warm air, if it is really cold, it won't warm the car at all. The rear blower just blows cool air on the floor . Any suggestions on cleaning if it is plugged or what do I need to do?
Thanks!
Thanks!
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
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I have a 96 extended with a 4.0 in it which I bought new. When it was about 2 yrs old I had to put a cup or two of coolant in the recovery tank every 6 months. I thought this was strange but I could find no external leak, engien oil looked fine and the spark plugs looked good. Being I was new to Florida, I just thought it was do to the hot weather. About 1-1/2 years ago I found a little coolant on the garage floor. When I crawled under the van I found a lot of baked on coolant under the exhaust manifold mid way back on the block. The van had about 80,000 miles on it and was serviced per the Ford schedule. Because I have owned Fords since the early 70's and we begged a lot, Ford gave us an extended warrenty for $500 which covered the repairs. Otherwise the cost would have been three times that.
