Hello,

I have a well maintained '95 Sport Trac XLT 4.0L with 44k miles. I live in the Tampa Bay area and my daily commute back and forth to work is less than 6 miles round trip. I've driven the truck once to Miami and four times to Gainesville. Earlier this week I noticed the smell of coolant in the garage and looked below to see a small puddle (3" round) forming. I cleaned up the garage floor and got underneath the to see if I could notice where the leak is originating but could not find it from that vantage point. I wiped down the bottom of the engine and waited for it to leak again but nothing happened. Looked from top view and noticed my coolant reservoir was low so I added more to the full line.

Today I came home and immediately did the same thing again but still could not find the leak. I started the truck and crawled back under and that's when I noticed the drip forming around the back side of my oil pan. I can't figure it out though. I can see where the coolant is dripping down and then finally dripping off near the back side of my oil pan but I can not find the source and I'm stumped. I did notice my reservoir was low again leading me to check all my hoses to and from my radiator which are all leak free. The reservoir is also dry. I checked my oil to make sure there was no form of water/coolant getting into the engine. For that matter, the engine does not run hot at all and is operating in mormal temperatures.

I need some help. Has anyone had this happen to their truck?

Thanks - R

 

im not overly familiar with the 95, but you looking for a heater hose at the fire wall, or a fitting on the back side of the motor that has a slight pin hole or crack. could be a rusty steel nipple, etc. it is dripping from top, down around the back side.

 

if you dont find a leaking hose and believe or can see if coming from the head gasket or manifold gasket, you might try a small can of head gasket sealer in the antifreeze. i dont like the oily beads or silica type sealers.

 

I suggest pressure testing the system to try and isolate the leak. I'd want to know where the leak is before adding any type of sealer.

 

I believe I located the leak coming from around the head gasket towards the front of the engine behind the pully for the water pump. I do not see any leakage coming from the water pump area itself nor do I hear any odd noises coming from the water pump. Once again, the operating temperature appears normal.

The radiator fan was blowing the leaking coolant towards the back of the engine along the transmission cooling lines, then dropping down. I discovered the leak after thoroughly wiping down the underside again this afternoon and running the engine while waiting for the leak to appear. I'll go to my local auto parts store and see what they recommend for block/head sealers keeping in mind to stay away from the silica sealers. If I have any problems, I'll follow up with another question or concern in this thread.

Thanks!

 

there are basically 4 types of "stuff". the first is silica or "dirt" type stuff that makes a plug. the second is the oily pellets, that turn your antifreeze black and oily.. the third is a fiber in suspension that you can add to antifreeze and it will plug leaks. the last one is the super duty stuff. it is made for big problems on heads and gaskets. you can not add it to antifreeze. you need to drain, flush, then refill with water and add the stuff. i drive the truck a couple days with that in , then drain, flush, lit it dry, and refill with antifreeze. it will fix almost anything,--- im tempted to try the newer stuff that you add to antifreeze, but have not yet.

 

i am tempted to try this, but have not yet

Bar's Leaks Head Gasket Fix

 

i have used this with good success. i did have one truck that was very bad and this fixed it. couple weeks later i had thermostat "stick". took out and found the small vent hole was plugged with sealer-- keep this in mind, not always, but possible i guess.

Bar's Leaks Head Gasket Repair

 

The sealers can also plug up heater cores, water pumps and water passagewas in the engine.

 

i have never had a problme with pluggage of ports and heater core. the sealers would ahve a hard time plugging anything bigger than 1/16 - 1/8 inch hole.

 

having tried the quick fix's several times with no success! and have changed head gaskets on three of these engines, I would suggest you change the head gaskets and do it right ! a friend of mine (now deceased god rest his soul) was a tech at the local ford dealer ship said they had a lot of problems with the 95/96 head gaskets so I dont even mess with them any more . Just my suggestion!