My 1996 GT has a stubborn coolant leak. I have traced the coolant leak to the SHORT heater hose where it fastens to the inlet on the rear of the intake manifold, passenger side. I replaced the heater hose with a temporary cut-to-fit hose while I wait for the correct hose to arrive at my Ford dealer. I got new hose clamps and REALLY tightened them down HARD but I still get a leak!
I know for a FACT that the leak is NOT coming from the hose that fastens to the engine block underneath the intake manifold, which seems to be the more common cause of coolant leaks coming from the rear of the engine. I have small hands and I was able to reach down past the alternator and feel the hose connection under the intake manifold when the engine was cool. It was bone-dry.
At this point, I am ready to conclude one of the following:
1) There is a crack or other type of flaw in the inlet coupling that attaches the heater hose to the rear of the intake manifold.2) There is some sort of blockage, either in the heater core or in the intake manifold water passage.
3) There is a crack in the intake manifold itself.I really don't know how to determine the cause of the problem, BUT IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY! I am currently waiting for the correct heater hose to arrive and I will install it and hope for the best...BUT...
Has anyone had a similar situation with their GT? Can anyone offer me any suggestions?