Hi all, I have been looking for some answers to a major engine coolant problem on top of my intake. I did a test to see if indeed my thermostat is leaking. I have seen white crustations on the gasket lips of the thermostat and it had been leaking there, but slowly...

Now, I look under the truck and see a river of antifreeze under it!! And the coolant under the truck, comming off of the chassis is greater than the leak by the thermostat and got me to thinking, could I have a blown head gasket?
I pulled my dipstick and no milky coloration there.

To find out more about this engine, I searched several sites before coming here and on on site it said that this engine has a (Coolant Crossover) on top of the Intake, the black thing that looks like an intake and made of plastic or some kind of resin. Is this correct? I dunno too much about these engines, but the guy said on his website that you have to replace that part even if it has a hairline crack in it. He also said that you hav to replace the intake underneath and he said it was $190 complete with gaskets. I might try to pull this thing and see for myself, because I dont wanna shell out 400 to 800 or more to have a mechanic look at it...

any suggstions?

would appreciate the help, thanks!

 

we'll need to know what year truck and engine you have first......

 

ummm... stats on engine... could be very simple

 

oh soory my bad, its late and am tired...

Uh its a 2003 Ford Ranger w/ 4.0 V6 SOHC

 

hook a coolant pressure checker to it and pump it to like 15psi and see where the coolant comes out at.

 

I dont have one of those, how much would a resonalble mechanic charge to test it?

 

Update;

I got the problem anylized and it is coming from the thermostat housing and upper radiator hose. Gonna try and do this myself because ford wanted 1k for the job. Is there any special tools other than the screw tips for the intake manifold that I need to buy?

thanks...

 

Seems to me that's rather expensive for a thermostat housing and upper rad hose, if that's what the problem is - I mean that's what? About 8 or 9 hours of dealer shop time or thereabouts, plus the price of parts.

Any clarification on where exactly it's leaking - sounds like at that price, it may be more than a housing and rad hose.

Just curious.