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1996 ranger splash 4.0. I’m leaking coolant from under/behind alternator. Just started yesterday. Not overheating. No hoses that I can see are leaking. I can’t figure it out. If anyone has had a similar issue please let me know how you fixed it before intake it to a mechanic and spend prob $1000+. The pic isn’t great but this is directly under the alternator. Front passenger side of the motor. This is the only area I can see is wet but it looks like it’s coming from above this area. It’s not coming from the thermostat housing. I’ve checked all that
I had that on my 1994 4.0l, and have read about it on other 4.0l OHV Rangers, 1990-2000
First, it can be a pinhole in a coolant hose that sprays an INVISIBLE stream of coolant once system is heated up and has pressure, so leak is not where coolant is, lol
Had that on another vehicle
Heat up engine then shut it off, move your hand around near where you think the leak is, you will feel a steam hit your hand if this is the issue
On my 1994 the lower intake gasket on the front passenger side(under alternator) was leaking
There are coolant passages thru the lower intake from head to head
Front passenger side and rear drivers side of lower intake are the pass thrus
And...........head is cast iron and lower intake is aluminum, dissimilar metals, add flowing coolant and you will get corrosion unless coolant is changed every 2 years
Fix is to replace lower intake gasket
I had that on my 1994 4.0l, and have read about it on other 4.0l OHV Rangers, 1990-2000
First, it can be a pinhole in a coolant hose that sprays an INVISIBLE stream of coolant once system is heated up and has pressure, so leak is not where coolant is, lol
Had that on another vehicle
Heat up engine then shut it off, move your hand around near where you think the leak is, you will feel a steam hit your hand if this is the issue
On my 1994 the lower intake gasket on the front passenger side(under alternator) was leaking
There are coolant passages thru the lower intake from head to head
Front passenger side and rear drivers side of lower intake are the pass thrus
And...........head is cast iron and lower intake is aluminum, dissimilar metals, add flowing coolant and you will get corrosion unless coolant is changed every 2 years
Fix is to replace lower intake gasket
I see they sell uv dye. Do you think that will help locate it. Also is the gasket something I could do myself.
So can a Cooling system pressure tester, $10-$15 to rent one but Auto Parts stores often loan them for free
Its a solid radiator cap with a pressure gauge and hand pump
You pump up pressure on a COLD engine to 20psi, so its easy to see where coolant is dripping from as its not evaporating too fast like hot coolant does on hot engine parts
There is a bit of disassembly required to get the lower intake out, but its just wrench work, no special knowledge or tools are needed
