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  #1  
Old 06-22-2010, 12:59 PM
Amsement Amsement is offline
1994 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Unhappy Coolant leak

94 Ranger 4.0 OHV leaking coolant from bolt above drivers side engine mount.

Radiator and hoses replaced.
Thermastat replaced
Water pump and gasket replaced

NO LEAKS FROM RAD, THERMESTAT OR WATER PUMP

Story:

Let someone borrow pickup and it cam back leaking. Figured it was time to replace radiator, thermastat and water pump cause Ranger has over 100K.

Replaced coolant today and engine started leaking before turned over. Can see coolant flowing down from the drivers bolt above engine mount.

Any ideas? Manifold gasket? Manifold bolt? freeze plug? Oil has no coolant in it. Coolant has no oil in it.
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  #2  
Old 06-22-2010, 06:12 PM
98rangerxlt 98rangerxlt is offline
Ford Tough
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 303
Default Re: Coolant leak

Sounds like a freeze plug
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98 ford ranger xlt ex cab 4.0 v6 auto trans
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  #3  
Old 06-22-2010, 06:17 PM
01_ranger_4x4 01_ranger_4x4 is offline
OIF Veteran

 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,044
Default Re: Coolant leak

the best way to find out where its leaking is to pressure test the system but id be willing to bet its an intake gasket. Its common with the ohv 4.0's
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2001 Ranger 4x4 Stepside
-RCD Suspension lift
-33x12.5 BFG KM2's on Mickey Thomson classic locks
-4:56 gears
-Auburn gear LS
-James Duff traction bars
-Headers
-Flowmaster duals
-SCT X-Cal2 and some small exterior mods

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2321189

2005 F-150 Lariat 4x4
-LED third brake light
-Weathertech floor liners
-Edge tuner
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  #4  
Old 06-22-2010, 07:17 PM
Amsement Amsement is offline
1994 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Default Re: Coolant leak

Above the exhaust manifold, front of engine are dry. Will dig through the driver side and discover what is causing the problem (hopefully it's a freeze plug). Intake is dry as a bone.

Last edited by Amsement; 06-22-2010 at 07:18 PM. Reason: fixed spelling error
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  #5  
Old 06-24-2010, 11:12 AM
Amsement Amsement is offline
1994 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Default Re: Coolant leak

@01_ranger_4x4

You were correct, intake gasket is the fault.

Explanation:

Decided to use coolant sealant. Ran the truck on water and sealant till temperature rose around 240F. At that temperature water changed to steam and I could hear whistling and bubbling within the Intake. Noticed water running in front of engine and down the sides.

Will dump the rest of the water in the coolant system and attack the intake manifold tomorrow.
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  #6  
Old 06-24-2010, 12:06 PM
01_ranger_4x4 01_ranger_4x4 is offline
OIF Veteran

 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,044
Default Re: Coolant leak

Quote:
Originally Posted by Amsement View Post
@01_ranger_4x4

You were correct, intake gasket is the fault.

Explanation:

Decided to use coolant sealant. Ran the truck on water and sealant till temperature rose around 240F. At that temperature water changed to steam and I could hear whistling and bubbling within the Intake. Noticed water running in front of engine and down the sides.

Will dump the rest of the water in the coolant system and attack the intake manifold tomorrow.
the exact thing happened with my 93 4.0 it would lose all the coolant in my 15 miles trip to work. it took me a few days to find where it was leaking from, i first thought freeze plug also. after a quik pressure test i figured out it was the intake gasket on the very back of the motor. took a couple hours to replace.
__________________
2001 Ranger 4x4 Stepside
-RCD Suspension lift
-33x12.5 BFG KM2's on Mickey Thomson classic locks
-4:56 gears
-Auburn gear LS
-James Duff traction bars
-Headers
-Flowmaster duals
-SCT X-Cal2 and some small exterior mods

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2321189

2005 F-150 Lariat 4x4
-LED third brake light
-Weathertech floor liners
-Edge tuner
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  #7  
Old 07-12-2010, 11:05 AM
Amsement Amsement is offline
1994 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Default Re: Coolant leak

Found time to work on 94 Ranger 4.0 OHV pickup. Removed lower intake and discovered gasket leaking coolant front and back. Found intake manifold bolt lose (not even finger tight). Guess those Ford Cologne (Germany) assemblers (and quality assurance) staff missed checking the bolts.

All this time Ranger oil was disappearing while I was driving. Now I know why (and you do to). All it takes is one bolt not tighten to specification.
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  #8  
Old 07-14-2010, 07:42 AM
Amsement Amsement is offline
1994 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Default Re: Coolant leak

Ford lists valve gaskets as $42 each, totaling over $160 with lower and upper manifold gaskets. Toyota owners seen gleaming over price.
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  #9  
Old 07-24-2010, 01:06 PM
Amsement Amsement is offline
1994 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Default Re: Coolant leak

Completed repair and drove pickup. After initial start had a fuel injector 'tapping'. Used Walmart fuel injection cleaner and minutes later 'tapping' stopped.

Things I learned:

Don't work on gravel unless you have a really awesome magnet to find dropped bolts.

Buy Ford gaskets, they are a higher quality.

Have a quality torque wrench. My cheap @#$# Chinese made 'click' type torque wrench had problems 'clicking'.

Print notes from the FordRangerForum to help while repairing.

Here are the links I used with a Chilton Ford Ranger manual.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=244706 (Water pump replacement)

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech.../4_0_Page.html (4.0 OHV INFO)

http://games-free-online.net/?a=games&id=398 (Xmas tree light game when I got too frustrated)
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