cooling system mystery
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cooling system mystery
My 97 arostar Has been mysteriously losing water and overheating for a couple of weeks. for example , this morning I refilled the radiator (almost 11/2 gallons) then drove to an auto parts store to purchase a new floor jack, when I returned and checked the water it was about half a gal, low. But when I jacked it up I could find no sign of a leak. I t was running but not overheating. I put a new radiator cap on but that did not help
Has anybody got suggestions?
Has anybody got suggestions?
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Laughing Gas
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From: Dallas, Texas
Remove the radiator cap and see if you see bubbles while its running. then raise the rpms and see if the water tries to come back out. if it does you have a head gasket leaking back into the cooling system.
If you see water or steam coming from the rear exhaust pipe, you have water leaking paste the head gasket into the combustion chamber. You can pull your spark plugs and see if any are white.
To see for sure, get a pressure tester and do a leak test. or get some dye and add it to the system, then use the glasses and the light to see if its staining anywhere.
If you see water or steam coming from the rear exhaust pipe, you have water leaking paste the head gasket into the combustion chamber. You can pull your spark plugs and see if any are white.
To see for sure, get a pressure tester and do a leak test. or get some dye and add it to the system, then use the glasses and the light to see if its staining anywhere.
Last edited by Muffinman; Jun 3, 2010 at 08:15 PM. Reason: adding
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Sounds like the engine runs fine, but if not post other syptoms
Do you have the rear heater option? check the "Y" pipe below the passenger side bank of the engine, and the rear pipes behind the driver door underneath. Do you see any other leaks? IS the radiator cap od and the gasket worn (compressed)
Do you have the rear heater option? check the "Y" pipe below the passenger side bank of the engine, and the rear pipes behind the driver door underneath. Do you see any other leaks? IS the radiator cap od and the gasket worn (compressed)
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T took the aerostar to a local shop. They told me that it was a head gasket or head. But, the local Ford dealership told me that I should replace with a rebuilt engine to avoid additional problems (15 hrs head gasket 18 hrs change engines) I am disabled so can do only minor work myself
What would be best and least cost, in the long run, for a vehical with 180k miles?
what is a good source of engines? low milage used with warenty or rebuilt?
What would be best and least cost, in the long run, for a vehical with 180k miles?
what is a good source of engines? low milage used with warenty or rebuilt?
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Doing just a head would be fine. However, it is true, it doesn't take much longer to swap an engine. Even if you do a lot of the work yourself, replacing a head can be expensive, and if coolant has gotten into the oil, it can cause unseen damage that will shorten the engines life.
Laughing Gas
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From: Dallas, Texas
18 hrs labor from a dealer is going to be high. A Ford rebuilt long block is around $1100.00 and that should include the water pump, heads and gasket set. while I had the work done I would get a new Radiator installed while its out. So you could be around $2300.00+
If they do the work, make a list of things like AC is working, etc. cause it should all work when they are done as well.
I know one dealer who quoted me $1000.00 to change the heads. When all my fingers where broke, from a motorcycle wreck. I just decided to trade it in a used one.
If they do the work, make a list of things like AC is working, etc. cause it should all work when they are done as well.
I know one dealer who quoted me $1000.00 to change the heads. When all my fingers where broke, from a motorcycle wreck. I just decided to trade it in a used one.