I have coolant leaking from above the tranny,alot!I have removed the access panel to see above the tranny but nothing is wet there.I know the heater core is on the passenger side,is there a run off line from the h/c box that lets out over the tranny ?Im gonna take the shifter boot off next to see if anything is there.stumped oh yeah 94 aero 3.0 manual not awd 120000 plus thanks

 

I have a 93 shorty manual 3.0 basically the same truck.
Fluid from the same spot. Though it's a little different. I now put water in my rad right before I start her... When the van is on there is no leakage from mine when I shut her off it all leaks out I got a flashlight and got under her a while ago... it's coming from the water pump right where the metal piece that turns the fan goes in. It's a brand new water pump... I'm assuming mine is simply a ruptured gasket that seals under pressure which is why my cooling system works if I add water and run her then it leaks out when she's shut down... your problem may be different. The other thing I do know is that the heat went intermittent after the gasket went. It's probably a fairly simple repair with cheap parts but I have litterally no cash to do it. Water is free so that's what I use and pay close attention to my gauges. Try the water thing in the mean time... if anything you will be able to see more gushing and be able to better Identify the source of it with something that doesn't cost as much as coolant/antifreeze.

Truly,
FoxyPaws

1993 Aerostar Sport 3.0 Manual Shorty Two-tone Hunter Green/Galaxy Grey

 

Yeah,I did that for awhile but now it does gush out.It's not coming from the front of the motor at all,it's like coming from over the tranny.It spills literally right through the the bell housing in between the back of the motor and the tranny.I cannot see where it's coming from at all.Your right about when I shut it down it leaks way more and I can hear like bubbling noises from inside?I think it has to be the heater core.there must be some spillway that let out up there some where.I just bought this van and I dont have a book for it yet,but I'm gettin one here real quick.

 

Woodi679 You can unhook the line that go to heater core and loop them together,so you have no heater for awhile. That would tell you if it is the heater core that is leaking.

 

Woodi679 Does top of tranny get wet? Could be soft plugs,in back of block or in back of heads.

 

Woodi679:

Between the engine and transmission on the back of the engine is two 1 1/2" freeze plugs. If so you'll have to pull the transmission.

There is also a 1 1/4" one on the back of each of the heads.

Check these for rust holes. And good luck.............

 

oh man I hope it's not freeze plugs,eeeeeeeeeek.I'm barely a home mech at all.The work I've done on cars has been out of neccessity,and usually under protest.But over the years I have learned alot.
Anyway can't you see the back of the heads from the access panel in the cab?
Ahh,but you say there is two in between the tranny and the motor,so is there a way to check those visually?Or just deduction from the location of the leak.

 

Ok,top of tranny not wet,freeze plugs on back of heads are good.Oh man I know the answer dont I.I'll be pulling the tranny out.I'm not thinkin it's the heater core anymore.
I've only pulled one tranny before,and it wasnt fun,I bet this one isnt either.
thanks guys

 

Woodi679:

You can pull the transmission back without having to drop it.
Replace freeze plug both with Brass ones.

 

Allright I think I can handle that! I'll be checking back with ya all,thank god for this site.

 

I have a 95 and just blew out the plugs on the back of the block. but they leaked right down the middle on the tranny inspection cover. and on these vans you cant take it off to inspect without pulling the tranny apart form the block. was not a bad job the worst thing was the tranny line i ended up cutting one of them so it would pull back far enough.

Now there is a drain for the heater core on the bottom of the core, but you cant see it worth a damn so the right idea there is to pull the hoses out of the core and connect them together. but if you said its gushing full bore than ya I would say its a plug somewhere. On these fords you have to change antifreeze every 2 years or sooner due to electrolosis being very bad on the newer vehicles.

i was even able to leave the rear driveshaft in so I didnt loose any tranny fluid

 

I work long hours during the week,so I will be tackling this on the weekend.[hope it aint raining,I live in seattle] With how much fluid that was draining out I'm pretty confident it's the freeze plug.I'm thinking I might as well do the clutch and throughout bearing while I have it off.Well we'll see.
One thing I was pondering was,if I'am to replace them with brass ones--how do you take the freeze plug out? Do you drill a hole in it to remove the one I assume is still in?Use some tool to hook it out like a slide puller or something?
Just wondering,
Woodi

 

btw Foxy Paws,a little note bout your temporary solution you should know,
I once had a s-10 blazer that was leaking like that and I did the same thing your doing cause of the same reasons,money.BUT what I didnt know then was that just adding water with no antifreeze allowed my engine to suffer boil over.Antifreeze also keeps the boiling point of the water high so you dont boil over.And that cost me a ton of money cause I blew the head and got water in the oil which im sure was the eventual cause of a spun main shaft bearing later on.NOT FUN so i urge you to consider keeping the mix 50/50 to save your heads and motor.1200 bucks for a new engine sucks way worse than 7 bucks for antifreeze man.
good luck pal,
Woodi

 

to remove a freeze plug I believe the correct procedure is to whack it near the edge with a big hammer and chisle or flat head screw driver. then once its sideways you grab it with pliers and yank it out.

my pass. side front plug got a hole in it. I couldnt get enough room in there to move any tools, so I patched it with steel epoxy putty, and added stop leak to patch any residual leaking. it held ok, long enough for me to sell it and get a newer aerostar.
but if you are going to yank the tranny to get in there, better spend the dollar to get new plugs and not have to worry about it for another 10 years...

 

Heard that brother! BTW that sounds like it oughta work for gettin the plug out,I'm gonna find out real soon here.