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Coolant leaking out of the cylinder head?

Hey y'all,

I don't have all of the details yet, but I dropped my Explorer 1995 XLT 6 cylinder off to have the AC compressor replaced. Lately I've noticed that my coolant reservoir has been getting lower and lower (faster than normal evaporation).

Anywho, the dealer rep just called and said the mechanic told him that there is coolant leaking out of the top of the engine around the cylinders. He said it's not imperitive to fix right away, as long as I keep the coolant full to the fill level.

He's going to call back with an estimate, but before he does, I was hoping to get some idea as to what's involved in replacing the gasket, typical cost for a gasket at the parts store, and if you need any expensive *special* tools to do this job myself.

Thanks,

Mike

Reply to
Mike
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Reply to
Steve G

Ok, you've given me enough reasons to doubt that this is a job for me :-p The Ford mechanic said that it would be a $2000 repair, ouch. That's about a third to half what the stinkin car is worth, blue book.

I suppose I'll check around for another mechanic, becuase based on what you said, even if they charge $100 / hour, I'm still only looking at < $1000, not $2000.

thanks Steve,

Mike

Reply to
Mike

Had the same problem. I cannot see the severity of your leak, but it was something we did have to watch for. The wrenches had it for a day and the materials weren't expensive. $375 for the 4.0 V6 in my 91 EB.

Reply to
Richard Ray

I had used Barsleak on my Chevy Astro to stop the intake head gasket leak. It had worked for nearly year and a half now. The best $3.99 I had ever spend. I had since replaced the coolant and it is still no leaks. Try it, you had nothing to loose but $3.99.

Reply to
Kai

You sound like a TV ad; "Nothing to lose but $3.99." How about an engine?

Bill Funk Change "g" to "a"

Reply to
Big Bill

Mike,

I don't know if you have AutoClimate control on your xlt, but on my 95 it caused this coolant leak:

After replacing the "theromstaticly controled coolant valve" (I think it's the proper name) all was good. It opens up via vacuum, once the coolant reaches set temp and then heats the interior thru the heater core. Black plastic valve with 3 or 4 tubues on it that connect to the heater core in firewall, passenger side. The tricky thing about mine, was that the coolant was driping on the exhaust mani, and evaporating. I could smell coolant thru vents, but couldn't see it until I had the hood open, and engine hot. All that's needed is the part and a pair of good pliers for the hose clamps.

Ted

Reply to
Ted

I'll take a look. Is AutoClimate like the AC in your house where it cycles to keep the in car temp at a preset value? If so, no I have the type that just blows on you constantly :-p

Now that you mention it, I did have to replace a valve about 2 years ago, it's some deal that has a metal rod (looks like a coat hanger) sticking out of the top, coolant was leaking out of the seal between the rod and the plastic housing, and dripping onto the exhaust causing a nice bit of steam to shoot out from under the hood. That was a $10 fix.

I'll check that component and make sure it's not failing again.

Thanks, Mike

Reply to
Mike

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