Not your usual radiator prob
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Not your usual radiator prob
In my 98 Limited Explorer, recently found a coolant leak. On the underside, past the oil drain pan, and before the transmission pan. Coolant seems to come out of the seams in that area.
any thoughts? how to fix? And while I fix it, what else should i do/maintain, in the 147k 1998 Explorer, taking advantage of the disassembled parts to get to the leak?
any thoughts? how to fix? And while I fix it, what else should i do/maintain, in the 147k 1998 Explorer, taking advantage of the disassembled parts to get to the leak?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Lawton, Oklahoma
You will have to see where it originates if possible. It may be leaking as far up as the water control valve, or the intake, head gasgets, or heater core, or the freeze plug in the rear of the block and trickling down to the location you are seeing it. It may be a good time to pay for a proper pressure test. You dont want to start tearing the whole thing down for a seeping heater hose.
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Haven't been able to take it in yet..prolly going today.. Couple of notes. seems to only leak when engine is parked and off. Obviously, i don't know when I am driving if it is leaking. However, this is my best guess. I can have it on, and running and be under, with no leak. Also the leak, again, seems to come from the back of the engine. From the front would possibly imply water pump, hoses, right? So seeing it drip from the area between the oil pan and Transmission pan.
Freeze plug? Head Gasket? ugh. both are costly disassemble/reassemble repairs right?
What will a pressure test tell me? Not a hose or a clamp?
Incidentally, small tranny fluid now seems to be seeping from just under the radiator from one of the hoses at the bottom... Not sure if transmission or from power steering. ugh.
Freeze plug? Head Gasket? ugh. both are costly disassemble/reassemble repairs right?
What will a pressure test tell me? Not a hose or a clamp?
Incidentally, small tranny fluid now seems to be seeping from just under the radiator from one of the hoses at the bottom... Not sure if transmission or from power steering. ugh.
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Ok, after a pressure test, with no leaking apparent, we think it to be a cracked or corroded freeze plug. To get to the back of the engine block, we'll have to remove the transmission. That's a hefty job. While I have the tranny out, what should I get done? Replace the main rear seal? anything else down there I can do? Estimate of about $560. Cheap? too much?
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make sure that you check the heater control valve locate by the heater case on the passenger side of vehicle as they are noted for leaking and might not be evident with a pressure check.
jim
jim
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So check around the heater core? if i remember right, passenger side wheel well? If that's where the leak was, wouldn't i smell coolant in the cabin?
Just thinking if i go ahead and remove the transmission and the freezer plugs seem intact, then i guess i have to find the leak elsewhere.
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Senior User
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no ,the heater valve is outside under the hood and could fool you into thinking engine leak as it could drip onto the engine. just follow the heater hoses toward the firewall and you will see it. you most likely would not smell a/f inside the car as you would were the heater core bad
jim
jim
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