97 2.3 5 speed truck. runs great, heats excellent. noticed coolant all over under neath on the scissor type axle on passenger side. also is wet on the pass side crossmember engine mount. SEEMS it may be comming from a plastic piece with heater core hoses going to it located basically above the exh. manifold. maybe a solenoid of some sort or something? ill be pressurizing it tommorrow to find out but just for my info. what is this plasti piece called? i glanced on autozone website but couldnt fint it. again i cant imagine where else it's coming from on this side(side of block and cyl head are dry), because only coolant containing devices i see are the heater hoses. so if anybody can help me out or tell me what this black plastic piece is called(it seems to me it blocks and unblocks off coolant flow through heater core hoses).



thhanks for any help

 

I think you are talking about the heater control valve.

 

its the heater control valve i gave 16 bux for a new one at autozone also check your heater hoses

 

heater control valve!!! thanks a bunch....ill get a price tomorrow as well as check for leaks and pressurize system. hoses seemed ok, all dry!

thanks

 

Lots of owners have trouble with the AutoZone or similar aftermarket valves failing on an annual basis. The OEM Ford part costs more but usually lasts 10+ years. Your choice.

 

i put one in from advance auto parts...i dont care about the price. 20 bucks with one year warranty; easy to change too! thanks for everyones help.