My recently purchased '94 F150 with 302 has developed a coolant leak, which appears to be between the timing chain cover and the block (if you are looking at the engine from the front its just slightly to the left of the bypass hose, its not the hose itself, it only seems to leak when the engine cools down (contracts) is this something common for late 302s? I've had dozzens of 289s, 302s, and 351Ws, and have never had a leak between the timing cover and block, I have not tried to tighten any bolts yet, wonder if I should, or should I just pull it all apart and replace the gasket?? Thanks!

 

Are you really seeing it leak there or are you just seeing a puddle on top of the timing cover? I've had the small coolant hoses on the throttle body leak several times and had a bear of a time finding it. They usually cause coolant to puddle in this area.

 

No, its not the hose, I really thought it was at first, but I can see it coming from the area between the front of the block, and the timing cover, right where there is a coolant passage to the pump, while looking for a truck to buy I saw several of them leaking in this area, wonder whats up with this??? some of the bolts look different that other older 302s that I've had, and the pump looks a little different, I wonder if it was a poor redesign of some sort to get bracketing to fit the later engines? Thanks!

 

I had the same problem and nearly pulled my hair out trying to find the leak. Finally the line just blew in the interstate head out to fix the wifes oveheated Explorer ( stuck thermostat ). I was just like quoted above a small coolant line. I had replaced the water pump myself and checked over and over the gasket and bolts.

It was the one small line going to the throttle body that had a small (ever so small cut in the line) and only leaked when it got hot.

 

My .02 My 302 had the small line going to the throttle body leak and the By-Pass line from the pump was like tissue paper. Fixed those 2 weeks later started leaking again I thought it was the pump. Turns out the tstat housing gasket was leaking.

Regards
Gasman

 

Guys, I'm going to look at this darn thing again this weekend, but I swear its leaking from between the timing cover and the block.

 

Figure it this way Super. Generally speeaking the only way you can have water (coolant) coming between the block and the timing chain cover is if there a leak coming from the block. If this is the case you should have water in your oil. Hmmmm. On the other hand if I remember correctly there is gasket material where the coolant ports come out from the block and pass through the cover to the pump. That could be it. Yep that's a possibility although I wouldn't think a common thing. I think I'd double check all hoses and fittings and if that wasn't it to keep from tearing things down I'd use a product like "Block Seal" to plug it up. Best of luck

 

Yes you can have a coolant leak between the timing cover and the block without it getting into the engine oil. The coolant ports are located in each upper corner of the timing cover. The timing covers are also prone to pitting and deteriorating around the gasket mating surface where the ports are. I have also seen timing covers with small pinholes deteriorated through the ports.

Good luck,

Carl

 

I thought all small blocks came with that timing cover leak as standard equipment.

 

This is interesting....one person says he thought the leak area is standard, and I know that since my first '65 Mustang with a HYPO 289 until my '94 F150 that I just bought, that I've owned at least 24 vehicles with either a 289, 302 or 351W, and NEVER had a leak like this until now.

 

Guys, I've got my leak pinpointed to the outlet hose on the water pump, and on my '94 it looks like a dealer item, as no one of my local parts stores seems to have a listing for it.
It comes off the pump with about 2 1/2" of rubber hose crimped onto a steel line, much like an a/c hose has, then continues up and away from the engine to the heater core, it has a smaller fitting/line "T" off probably 3/8" (rubber) going to the throttle body,plus a thin bracket going to a bolt on the altrinator bracket.
Anyone know where I could get a new one other that the dealer, I supose one could make one from fittings from the hardware store, but I'd kind of like to keep my "new" truck original, and unrigged.
Thanks!! Rick

 

 

My 94 f150 302 started leaking antifreeze. I took it my mechanic and he said it is the timing cover.Sounded funky to me,but he swears that's what it is. I'm gonna call a Ford mechanic and ask him.

 

I had to repair such a leak on my 302 last year. It's a common enough problem that Fel-Pro makes a front cover set that includes the front corners of the oil pan gasket. You will most likely tear that part of the oil pan gasket when you remove the front cover, and unless you want to also replace the oil pan gasket, these little pieces will work.

What usually causes this is on modern engines, they use a double-shank bolt at one or more of the holes around the water passages. The long shank tightens down on the cover, and the other side is used to attach a cable clamp; usually for the CKP sensor. The vibration from this clamp can cause the bolt to loosen up over time, which then allows coolant to push past the cover gasket. Once that happens, the gasket is ruined, and you have to replace it; just tightening the bolt will not work.

So when you install the new gasket, make sure those bolts that go around the water passages are really tight, and try not to loosen them when you attach whatever else gets fastened onto their outer shank.

Also keep an eye on any of the other bolts that serve double duty for fastening the cover or water pump, and support the front accessory brackets. If you have to remove the nuts holding the front brackets, make sure you did not also loosen the back end holding the water pump or cover.

Oh yes, when you're disassembling, pull off the water pump first, and let any remaining water drain out. Lift up the rear end of the car if necessary. Otherwise, that remaining water will leak into the oil pan when you pull the front cover off.

 

Just found leak in my 302 nothing mysterious stead drip from water pump shaft. hope it's the only leak.