Leaking coolant - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

snavy · 07-23-2004, 06:04

Hey all, my EL I6 Falcon is starting to lose coolant at a semi rapid pace! I know i have a slight head leak, if i filled coolant to the full mark, the coolant light would turn on, after about a months driving.

But lately i noticed something. Below the exhuast manifold, bottom of the block, i see coolant sitting on parts of the block.

Theres not enough there to see a visual leak on the ground, but enough to prove there is a leak.

Now im gonig throught after a fill of the overflow tank, the coolant light has now turned back on a week later!

Is this a head leak or could be something else?

thanks

OED666 · 07-23-2004, 06:30

i had a very similar leak late last year, and i thought it was welch plugs, so i took it to my mechanic, and it was the head for the 2nd time.

I hope its not the head, but i would get it checked ASAP just incase, as you dont want the situation to get any worse!!!

I wouldnt drive it too much untill you get it checked out for sure

jajig · 07-23-2004, 07:05

Definatley get it checked out quick before you have a snowball of problems! One of my problems use to be just a little missing water and now I got major drama's

snavy · 07-23-2004, 07:13

what happens if its left? what would go wrong?

do i just need a gasket change?

i got a friend who use to work for a ford dealer, he said when changing a gasket, you need the head machine and pressure tested just to be sure, this alone cost like 500 bucks if i remember right.

Would just changing the gasket be good enough?

OED666 · 07-23-2004, 07:18

na, just changing the gasket wouldnt be enough in my opinion.

If you dont, it could blow completely and let water in the block, and then eventually seize the engine.

each of the 2 times i have done heads, i got the head shaved, and the block decked. Also the head was x-rayed for and cracks...

You are far better off doing it properly, otherwise it will cost you big time in the long run

snavy · 07-23-2004, 12:55

how much is it to get head shaved, and checked?

OED666 · 07-23-2004, 17:46

I am not too sure, i got the work done for me... I didnt want to stuff around with something like that. All up it cost about $900...

snavy · 07-24-2004, 00:08

exhuast manifold?