anti freeze under intake
10-05-2013, 02:15 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: NC, charlotte
Posts: 15
anti freeze under intake
Got an 05 xcharged 4.0, got antifreeze under intake in valley, looks like it might be coming from thermastat housing around gasket! Has anyone heard of problems in this area, I know my wifes focus had flaws in her thermo housing and it cracked and had to be replaced, has anyone heard of any bulletins on thermastat housing or gasket or any other leaking problem in this area, thnx in advance! No intercooler.
10-05-2013, 08:26 PM
#3
Moderator
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Michigan again!
Posts: 8,579
Very common problem - the split is usually at the back of the housing and sprays into the valley.
With the Xcharger though it is a little more complicated, at least with the Xtreme and I think that the non-intercooled model has the same issue. One bolt is covered by the blower and so you have to remove the Xcharger to get to that bolt.
Even if you could find a way to loosen that bolt, with the length of it you can't get it out from under the blower lower intake, and if you could you can't get the housing out because there isn't enough room to pull it up straight as required.
With the Xcharger though it is a little more complicated, at least with the Xtreme and I think that the non-intercooled model has the same issue. One bolt is covered by the blower and so you have to remove the Xcharger to get to that bolt.
Even if you could find a way to loosen that bolt, with the length of it you can't get it out from under the blower lower intake, and if you could you can't get the housing out because there isn't enough room to pull it up straight as required.
10-07-2013, 09:15 AM
#6
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 3,666
Yep, I had the dreaded thermostat housing leak and fixed it a couple of months ago.
The plastic thermostat housing expands when hot and distorts, hence causing it to leak.
As stoneblue mentioned above, check out eBay for an aluminum thermostat housing, which was recently released to the public.
Good luck!
The plastic thermostat housing expands when hot and distorts, hence causing it to leak.
As stoneblue mentioned above, check out eBay for an aluminum thermostat housing, which was recently released to the public.
Good luck!
Last edited by kevinmalec; 10-07-2013 at 09:18 AM.
12-04-2013, 03:01 PM
#9
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 3,666
I replaced out my thermostat housing 6 months ago and it is bone dry, however I am having issues with coolant leaking in the "V" valley of the engine. It looks as though the coolant is coming up around the freeze plugs, which are located in the valley of the engine. Going to run a warm pressure test this Sunday to figure out of the freeze plugs are the issue. Wish me luck!!
12-04-2013, 06:13 PM
#10
Join Date: May 2013
Location: tn
Posts: 16
I installed the aluminum thermostat housing and do not have to worry about it splitting anymore. The aluminum lower housing is a one piece casting and not two plastic pieces glued together. You are right about bad engineering on fords part. The only reason they installed a plastic unit was to save money for them, not for there customer. I was afraid to take long trips with my car due to the thermostat housing problem. Now I will drive it any distance without hesitation.