Dreaded coolant leak, AGAIN
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,666
From: Acworth, GA
Dreaded coolant leak, AGAIN
As some of you may already know, I replaced my thermostat housing about 6 months ago and all was well. While at work this morning, I received a text from my Wife relaying that there is a puddle of yellow fluid on the garage floor. I asked her soak it up with a paper towel and put to the side so I could see and smell it.
While at the office, I went out to the parking lot popped the hood and checked my new thermostat and it looked fine. I did not see any coolant leak coming from the front or backside of the thermostat, however I did see some coolant setting in the engine area, which is below the thermostat. I also looked over the hoses and they look good and tight.
I am not sure where it is leaking from????!!!!
I have lots to do this week and don't really have time to take stuff apart and investigate further.
I was hoping to be coolant leak free, at least for a few years. So frustrating!
Any ideas????
While at the office, I went out to the parking lot popped the hood and checked my new thermostat and it looked fine. I did not see any coolant leak coming from the front or backside of the thermostat, however I did see some coolant setting in the engine area, which is below the thermostat. I also looked over the hoses and they look good and tight.
I am not sure where it is leaking from????!!!!
I have lots to do this week and don't really have time to take stuff apart and investigate further.
I was hoping to be coolant leak free, at least for a few years. So frustrating!
Any ideas????
Last edited by kevinmalec; Oct 21, 2013 at 01:04 PM.
Resident Ginger
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,624
From: Cali
I have never worked on the 4.0 but have heard of the coolant leak. You said you replaced your thermo housing 6 months ago - did you put another plastic one in? If so you might want to look into a aftermarket metal one like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/05-10-mustang-4-0-V6-metal-thermostat-housing-/300956632610?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AMustang&hash=item461269c622&vxp=mtr
expensive yes but piece of mind from not having to worry about the stupid, poorly designed, plastic thermo housing.
Matthew
expensive yes but piece of mind from not having to worry about the stupid, poorly designed, plastic thermo housing.
Matthew
4th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,486
From: San Diego, CA
1st Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 109
From: mn
I am not familiar with the 4.0, but wanted to ask what kind of hose clamps you were using? I've had problems in the past with spuratic leaks when switching from the OE spring clamps to worm gear clamps. I now always use the OE spring clamps as they keep constant tension.
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,666
From: Acworth, GA
Yes, it was the plastic thermostat housing, which was the only kind available at that time. I was able to look over the new thermostat housing and I did not see any leaks on the housing itself. With that said, I am going to rule out the new thermostat housing failing.
My neighbor (ex mechanic) helped me with the install and used all of the original clamps that were on all of the hoses.
He is going to take a quick look on Wednesday evening, after work.
Hopefully, he will be able to see something I cant and have a quick easy solution.
I will keep everyone posted!
My neighbor (ex mechanic) helped me with the install and used all of the original clamps that were on all of the hoses.
He is going to take a quick look on Wednesday evening, after work.
Hopefully, he will be able to see something I cant and have a quick easy solution.
I will keep everyone posted!
Last edited by kevinmalec; Oct 21, 2013 at 02:45 PM.
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,666
From: Acworth, GA
I am sick of smelling coolant fumes, which is the first sign of the leak. :/
I'll keep everyone posted.
Last edited by kevinmalec; Oct 22, 2013 at 08:22 AM.
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,666
From: Acworth, GA
Update:
In addition to the coolant leaking into the "V" section of the engine (around knock sensor), there is very little to no pressure in the radiator hose. I drove over 10 miles to the inline hockey rink and there was barely any pressure in the radiator hose. On a more positive note, the fan is kicking on and the car is NOT overheating.
My neighbor (ex mechanic) took the CAI inlet tube and Throttle body off and looked more closely at the coolant that is sitting in the "V" of the engine around the knock sensor area. He used an air compressor tool and blew out all of the coolant that was sitting in and around the knock sensor. Afterwards, he put a pressure cap tool on the coolant reservoir and put in 10lbs of air pressure. He had the pressure cap tool on over 15 min. and the pressure did not go down hardly at all, which means there really isn't a leak??!! Also, while the pressure was holding, there was NO coolant leaking out around the knock sensor and he was not able to verify where the leak is coming from. With that said, the mystery continues....
Due to the coolant pressure not holding in the radiator hose; I purchased a new coolant cap and replaced it out. I replaced the coolant cap out 6 months ago when we replaced the thermostat housing, so it was fairly new. :/
This Wednesday, he is going to check with a good buddy that works on Mustangs.
Hopefully, he will have some answers and/or suggestions!
In addition to the coolant leaking into the "V" section of the engine (around knock sensor), there is very little to no pressure in the radiator hose. I drove over 10 miles to the inline hockey rink and there was barely any pressure in the radiator hose. On a more positive note, the fan is kicking on and the car is NOT overheating.
My neighbor (ex mechanic) took the CAI inlet tube and Throttle body off and looked more closely at the coolant that is sitting in the "V" of the engine around the knock sensor area. He used an air compressor tool and blew out all of the coolant that was sitting in and around the knock sensor. Afterwards, he put a pressure cap tool on the coolant reservoir and put in 10lbs of air pressure. He had the pressure cap tool on over 15 min. and the pressure did not go down hardly at all, which means there really isn't a leak??!! Also, while the pressure was holding, there was NO coolant leaking out around the knock sensor and he was not able to verify where the leak is coming from. With that said, the mystery continues....
Due to the coolant pressure not holding in the radiator hose; I purchased a new coolant cap and replaced it out. I replaced the coolant cap out 6 months ago when we replaced the thermostat housing, so it was fairly new. :/
This Wednesday, he is going to check with a good buddy that works on Mustangs.
Hopefully, he will have some answers and/or suggestions!
Last edited by kevinmalec; Nov 4, 2013 at 09:16 AM.