1988 Ford Bronco II - WHERE IS MY COOLANT GOING??????

Question

My 1988 Ford Bronco II loses about 2 quarts of coolant on every 100 mile trip.

2.9, 6 cylinder engine, 187,000 miles. Engine has made a slight tapping noise for a long time but runs good otherwise.

Have never seen a single drop leak out except when I overfill it.

Radiator pressure tested and no leaks found.

Mechanic said seal on radiator cap was the only problem and replaced it and charged me for a new one.

Still the exact same problem!

WHERE THE HECK IS THIS STUFF GOING?????

Any ideas here would be appreciated.

klutz · Accepted Answer

Considering the notoriety of head gasket failure in the Ford 2.9L V6, there's a real strong probability that the coolant is going out with the exhaust.  Been there.

JimV · Answer

Head gasket...

djdave · Answer

Inspect your spark plugs. I'd expect one of them is feeling a littlegreen.On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 01:42:30 GMT, "Hoppalong Howie" wrote:

Hoppalong Howie · Answer

OK probably a head gasket.If I have to change this would it make sense to get new heads too?Do you think this might stop the tapping noise?thanks,Howie

Whitelightning · Answer

New heads would mean valves that seal really well, against piston rings with

187,000 miles on them. Now is the time to go through the engine if you want to keep this Bronco II.. Otherwise if sure its head gaskets, just do the gaskets.

Whitelightning

klutz · Answer

Are you certain that the valves are adjusted properly? Ford issued a Technical Service Bulletin that amended the spec for valve lash. Originally, it was 1 1/2 turns from zero lash. The TSB changed it to 1 3/4 turns. If valve clatter is the source of your tapping, adjusting the valves correctly (during engine reassembly in the head gasket project) might eliminate the problem.

Tap Goodenuff · Answer

Greetings fellow Bronco II driver, I suggest that your missing coolant may be going out your exhaustsystem via a crack in a cylinder head in the intake valve area. Canyou detect a faint antifreeze odor at the tailpipe? No, then suspect acrack in the exhaust valve area which would direct some amount ofexhaust into the water jacket and probably cause coolant to be forcedout the overflow.  Idleing the engine with the radiator cap off andthe radiator completely full would produce bubbles of exhaust in thecoolant on a fairly continual basis also.  2.8 and 2.9 heads aresomewhat prone to cracks. Could be a Gremlin of coarse! Tap GoodenuffOn Tue, 15 Aug 2006 01:42:30 GMT, "Hoppalong Howie" wrote:

1988 Ford Bronco II - WHERE IS MY COOLANT GOING??????

Join the Discussion

Didn't find your answer?