lower intake gasket issues resolved?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
It appears it depends on how long you keep your truck.....
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=340552
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=340552
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: B'ville, WV
Brian, how much coolant were you losing? I had to add about 20oz. a couple of days ago to put my coolant in the middle of the cold fill range in the reservoir. To be honest, I probably haven't checked it other than to quickly see that there was coolant in the reservoir, in over a year. What testing would reveal a possible problem? I have 106,000+ miles now.
Thanks,
Rich
Thanks,
Rich
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
Rich,
I'd lose about an inch or two in the resovoir every week or so.
It depended more on miles driven than time spent. I might drive 30 miles one day and 400 the next, so it's hard to say exactly.
But, it WAS clear that my coolant level was constantly dropping.
I'd suggest checking it at the same temp every few days for the next week or two. obviously, the level will rise/fall depending on whether the coolant is hot or cold.
If you suspect coolant loss (other than a leak) the first thing I did was pull the plugs and check them. #2 had just a little "crud" on it - enough to make it look different from all the others and let me know that is where my problem would be found (as it was).
I'd imagine a pressure check of the radiator and maybe a compression check of each cylinder, and possibly a leak-down test, could all show a breech of the gasket between the closed loop coolant system, and the outside world.
I do not want to get folks all worried, but it is worth paying attention to. Replacng a gasket is a lot less time and money than replacing a rod. etc. or a motor.
I'd lose about an inch or two in the resovoir every week or so.
It depended more on miles driven than time spent. I might drive 30 miles one day and 400 the next, so it's hard to say exactly.
But, it WAS clear that my coolant level was constantly dropping.
I'd suggest checking it at the same temp every few days for the next week or two. obviously, the level will rise/fall depending on whether the coolant is hot or cold.
If you suspect coolant loss (other than a leak) the first thing I did was pull the plugs and check them. #2 had just a little "crud" on it - enough to make it look different from all the others and let me know that is where my problem would be found (as it was).
I'd imagine a pressure check of the radiator and maybe a compression check of each cylinder, and possibly a leak-down test, could all show a breech of the gasket between the closed loop coolant system, and the outside world.
I do not want to get folks all worried, but it is worth paying attention to. Replacng a gasket is a lot less time and money than replacing a rod. etc. or a motor.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
4.2 owner
Brian, thanks for sharing your experience. Do the intake leaks only occur on the #2 cyl side or either? Did you have both intake gaskets replaced.
I have marked my pressure tank with a China marker and check it when cool in the garage whenever I have the hood up. I have a 2003 XLT
Thanks.
I have marked my pressure tank with a China marker and check it when cool in the garage whenever I have the hood up. I have a 2003 XLT
Thanks.
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