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Old Dec 12, 2006 | 09:54 AM
  #1  
fordguy4life's Avatar
fordguy4life
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Coolant leak

Hey guys. My wife's got a 95 Aero 4.0. I noticed a few drops of coolant leaking the other day towards the front of the engine on the garage floor. Then the next day, Blamo! Big puddle in the garage. The problem i have is it looks like spray, from where the van was parked, coming from the middle of the engine. I did a quick once over and saw no leaks on the top of the engine, radiator or hoses. Saw some coolant on the exhaust pipe by the oil filter. Wasn't able to completely look it over. Any ideas with such limited info?
I did read a few posts about freeze plugs. Yikes!
I'm going to try and take some time to look it over better tonight, so any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Old Dec 12, 2006 | 10:16 AM
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96_4wdr
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also take a look at the water pump weep hole on the bottom of the water pump shaft housing nose....serves as leak hole for failed seal

good luck
 
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Old Dec 12, 2006 | 05:45 PM
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There will be scale on the underside of the water pump shaft near the weep hole if it has failed. If this is the case, you need a new water pump. Best way to prevent water pump failure is to replace the antifreeze on a regular schedule like it was your religion.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2006 | 06:04 PM
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Hi Fordguy:

The easiest thing to do is to fill it up with water and borrow a radiator pump from Autozone. Once you pressurize the radiator, the leak will show up.
 
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Old Dec 12, 2006 | 07:11 PM
  #5  
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I agree with copper. thats the quickest way to zero in on the leak
 
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Old Dec 13, 2006 | 07:51 PM
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Poured more antifreeze in the radiator....started and let run for a few minutes.
Looks like its a head gasket.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2006 | 06:01 AM
  #7  
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I feel your pain! My '91 4.0 AWD is leaking out of right side headgasket, long time slow leak. Hope to get alternate van up and running next week. After a few runs with van "B" (not a Ford) to be sure it's O.K. I plan on working on the ASTAR. It needs rear brakes, front end declunk and head gaskets. Also thermostat housing has a rusty pipe that needs replaced. Van "A" could be down for awhile. Do you plan on repairing headgasket yourself?
 
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Old Dec 14, 2006 | 06:22 AM
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fordguy4life
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I wish mine was a slow leak. Antifreeze is coming out pretty fast. The van has 170000 on her. Might be time to put her down. I've heard they're a nightmare to replace, and my mechanic told me at least $ 1000. I'm sure it's pretty labor intensive.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2006 | 07:47 AM
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I have a very small coolant leak, but don't know where its at either. I have 252,000 miles. Doesn't run hot or anything. Smell it everytime I start the van. The worst case is the useage of about 1 gallon in a month but now its small again.
 
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Old Dec 14, 2006 | 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by B-Aerostar
I have a very small coolant leak, but don't know where its at either. I have 252,000 miles. Doesn't run hot or anything. Smell it everytime I start the van. The worst case is the useage of about 1 gallon in a month but now its small again.
Most likely through weep hole on water pump or through a leaky heater core.
 
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