hidden coolant leak
 

2004 3.0 edge 2wd

So I keep smelling burnt coolant every time I get out of the truck. The only place I can see it leaking is a slight drip on the bottom of the oil pan. Its obviously running down from somewhere, but I can't figure it out. I even put some dye in the coolant, but no luck. I know the timing cover is a common source, but I don't see it. If that were the case, would it run all the way to the back and drip off the oil pan?

I'm assuming it would have to come from the back of the engine in a place I can't see, or from the back of the intake. I tried crawling up underneath to look at the backside of the engine but I can't get a good view.

Any ideas? :sad:

My '02 4.0 engines waterpump gasket started leaking a few months ago and now this week the thermostat housing started leaking which was hard to pinpoint because it's hard to see. I can't believe Ford would make something so important such as the thermostat housing in plastic! Just glad it wasn't a head gasket.....yet.

on my 3.0 the thermostat housing is right on top in the front of the engine. I've changed it before and it was a piece of cake. Its easy to see though, so I know its not that...

Could also be your water pump gasket as mentioned above.
You usually won't smell the burning antifreeze when the timing chain cover drips. you'll smell it once it drips out of the waterpump when it slows down.