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01-10-2013, 08:49 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 309
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Timing cover gasket leak, please help!!
So I made a 600 mile drove up to northern California and it has been much colder up here than down in SAn Diego. I have noticed a small leak of coolant under my truck, but I wanted to get it checked out before I made the drive home. Got the system pressure tested at a mechanic and he found the leak at the timing cover gasket. He said it is so minor I shouldn't replace it because it's 8-10 hours of labor which would be like $1000. He gave me two suggestions, add the ACdelco coolant seal tablets to the system and try to tighten the bolts. I was thinking because it has been so cold at night it may be that the metal has shrunk just enough to loosen the bolts or create this leak. Regardless I am slightly mechanically inclined and want to tighten the bolts to see if it helps but don't know exactly which ones to tighten. Can anyone give me an illustration or help me out in any way? Any others suggestions would be awesome, it seems like after researching it is a common problem but I can't find which bolts I need to tighten. Thank you guys!
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01-10-2013, 10:16 PM
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Ford Ranger Driver
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 519
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Re: Timing cover gasket leak, please help!!
How many miles? Reason I ask is if you have a lot of miles, it might be worth replacing it as well as the timing chain. And leaks typically get worse.
Also that quote seems high. I got a new cover seal, a new chain, and altonator for $1100. And the guy had to drill out one of the water pump bolts that I snapped.into the block. But I when i did hattle him down from 1300.
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2002 3.0 Ford Ranger 4x2, Auto, 250k miles
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01-10-2013, 11:01 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 309
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Re: Timing cover gasket leak, please help!!
So the problem is I really can't answer that question :/. My truck got hydro locked around 75000 miles and I had a used Taurus 3.0 engine put in it. Same engine, but unfortunately there is no way to tell the miles. I figure about another year and I'll have enough to buy a brand new car, but I'm still saving so a big costly repair will only delay me. I've had no issues with this new (used) engine, but I had a feeling it was only a matter of time until a leak sprung considering it was put in by a mechanic and I just feel it was bound to happen.
So that's the reason I ask about more of a quick/temporary fix. I love my truck enough to take care of anything I see right away, so it sucks when this kind of thing happens. You think I can tighten the bolts, throw the pellet in and hope it goes away for now? In San Diego I've never noticed a leak and so far the radiator is still 100% full and the overflow is at the same level and it's been about 800 miles since I discovered the leak. I'm hoping it's just the much colder nights.
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01-11-2013, 05:42 AM
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Ford Ranger Driver
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 519
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Re: Timing cover gasket leak, please help!!
If you're planning on selling the truck then I would just leave it. It would probably last a year.
But if you have my luck at selling vehicles, you will have one guy bite on your truck and when he comes to look at it he will be like "oh look, you have a timing cover leak, let's talk price again"
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2002 3.0 Ford Ranger 4x2, Auto, 250k miles
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01-11-2013, 02:28 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 309
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Re: Timing cover gasket leak, please help!!
I also just wanted to know if tightening the bolts and adding the pellets would prolong the time before the leak becomes an actual problem? And which bolts are the ones that hold the timing cover in place? Are they accessible without removing any major components of the engine?
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01-11-2013, 02:56 PM
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Ford Ranger Driver
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,574
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Re: Timing cover gasket leak, please help!!
I can't really remember if the bolts are hidden or not. I know to replace the gasket, you have to pull everything off the front of the engine. I imagine getting to the bolts will require at least removing the power steering/AC bracket.
Here's a pic of my old engine with everything off except the timing cover.
And here's the new engine with the water pump already on it. Looks like you might be able to at least get to most of the bolts without removing everything.
__________________
2000 Ford Ranger XLT
Extended Cab
3.0 Flex
4x4
Manual Transmission
Offroad Package
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01-11-2013, 03:24 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 309
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Re: Timing cover gasket leak, please help!!
Awesome! That helps a lot. Thank you very much, I figure ill at least give it a shot
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01-11-2013, 06:29 PM
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Ford Truck Driver
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bassplyer92517
So I made a 600 mile drove up to northern California and it has been much colder up here than down in SAn Diego. I have noticed a small leak of coolant under my truck, but I wanted to get it checked out before I made the drive home. Got the system pressure tested at a mechanic and he found the leak at the timing cover gasket. He said it is so minor I shouldn't replace it because it's 8-10 hours of labor which would be like $1000. He gave me two suggestions, add the ACdelco coolant seal tablets to the system and try to tighten the bolts. I was thinking because it has been so cold at night it may be that the metal has shrunk just enough to loosen the bolts or create this leak. Regardless I am slightly mechanically inclined and want to tighten the bolts to see if it helps but don't know exactly which ones to tighten. Can anyone give me an illustration or help me out in any way? Any others suggestions would be awesome, it seems like after researching it is a common problem but I can't find which bolts I need to tighten. Thank you guys!
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Ouch dude! I'm about to get mine fixed for $400 with parts and labor!!
__________________
1999 Ford Ranger
3.0 V6 Auto 140 K Airbox Mod
3" Body Lift Single In/Dual Out Gibson Catback Exhaust
30x10.5 Nexen A/T 2 MT Lockers
Throttle Cable Mod
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01-11-2013, 06:38 PM
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Wow.So cobra.Very Ranger.
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,695
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Ah the good ol 3.0 timing chain cover. Such a fun job. If you do the job, make sure you replace water pump and the chain itself while your at it. May want to look at doing the fan clutch too.
And DO NOT PUT ANY STOP LEAK SHIT IN YOUR RADIATOR. you will end up spending more in the long run.
Sent from my iPhone using FRF App
__________________
Chrome Yellow 2001 Ranger Edge 3.0L V6/5spd
Last edited by Yeller; 01-11-2013 at 06:40 PM.
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01-11-2013, 09:56 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 309
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Re: Timing cover gasket leak, please help!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OlYeller
Ah the good ol 3.0 timing chain cover. Such a fun job. If you do the job, make sure you replace water pump and the chain itself while your at it. May want to look at doing the fan clutch too.
And DO NOT PUT ANY STOP LEAK SHIT IN YOUR RADIATOR. you will end up spending more in the long run.
Sent from my iPhone using FRF App
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I mean what you say makes sense about the stop leak. And even though the mechanic I went to isn't my normal one he swears by those acdelco pellets that are made out of almond shells. Like I said I'd rather not put those in but if it will prolong the leak getting worse without damaging my radiator in the short term would those tablets work in that case? Idk I guess I just hate my truck leaking but I haven't come to the realization that I'm buying a new car soon. I still don't know how I'm gonna live without my truck. How about tightening the bolts, anyone had any luck?
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01-12-2013, 02:41 PM
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Ford Ranger Driver
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 519
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Re: Timing cover gasket leak, please help!!
I mean could try it. If its not leaking bad I wouldnt touch it.
If you you decide to replace it yourself, buy new bolts for the water pump. They are old and weak and snapped on mine.
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2002 3.0 Ford Ranger 4x2, Auto, 250k miles
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01-12-2013, 10:15 PM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 309
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Re: Timing cover gasket leak, please help!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mopar9012
I mean could try it. If its not leaking bad I wouldnt touch it.
If you you decide to replace it yourself, buy new bolts for the water pump. They are old and weak and snapped on mine.
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Thank you for the advice
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03-25-2013, 01:41 PM
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FRF <3
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 506
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bassplyer92517
So I made a 600 mile drove up to northern California and it has been much colder up here than down in SAn Diego. I have noticed a small leak of coolant under my truck, but I wanted to get it checked out before I made the drive home. Got the system pressure tested at a mechanic and he found the leak at the timing cover gasket. He said it is so minor I shouldn't replace it because it's 8-10 hours of labor which would be like $1000. He gave me two suggestions, add the ACdelco coolant seal tablets to the system and try to tighten the bolts. I was thinking because it has been so cold at night it may be that the metal has shrunk just enough to loosen the bolts or create this leak. Regardless I am slightly mechanically inclined and want to tighten the bolts to see if it helps but don't know exactly which ones to tighten. Can anyone give me an illustration or help me out in any way? Any others suggestions would be awesome, it seems like after researching it is a common problem but I can't find which bolts I need to tighten. Thank you guys!
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Check out your timing cover, you can see where it starts and ends. Tighten EVERY nut/bolt that's coming out of it. Then I'd recommend a silver solder sealant which is what we used when I had the exact same problem with my truck. It worked like a charm, saved me $1100 and still holds tight to this day. I found that after 160k miles a few of the bolts just found their way loose, and tightening then and adding a sealant fixed it 100%! Good luck!
__________________
White '99 Ranger 4x4, 3.0, 5 spd. Torsion bar lift, 32x11.50 BFG All Terrains on Ion Alloy 15x8 rims, Custom Magnaflow turnout exhaust, K&N drop-in air filter, Cobra Super 19 mini CB, Sony Audio system and custom white dash trim, Air horns, throttle cable mod, airbox mod, manual hubs mod, 200k miles & PAID FOR
Rangers > Jeeps!
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03-25-2013, 01:43 PM
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Wow.So cobra.Very Ranger.
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,695
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Old thread alert!!
__________________
Chrome Yellow 2001 Ranger Edge 3.0L V6/5spd
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03-25-2013, 01:45 PM
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FRF <3
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 506
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OlYeller
Ah the good ol 3.0 timing chain cover. Such a fun job. If you do the job, make sure you replace water pump and the chain itself while your at it. May want to look at doing the fan clutch too.
And DO NOT PUT ANY STOP LEAK SHIT IN YOUR RADIATOR. you will end up spending more in the long run.
Sent from my iPhone using FRF App
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Why not put in a high quality stop leak? My trucks been running like that for 40k miles with no leaks or anything. I highly recommend doing this.
__________________
White '99 Ranger 4x4, 3.0, 5 spd. Torsion bar lift, 32x11.50 BFG All Terrains on Ion Alloy 15x8 rims, Custom Magnaflow turnout exhaust, K&N drop-in air filter, Cobra Super 19 mini CB, Sony Audio system and custom white dash trim, Air horns, throttle cable mod, airbox mod, manual hubs mod, 200k miles & PAID FOR
Rangers > Jeeps!
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