coolant dripping form my starter?

[LaGrasta]

I couldn't see any coolant on my heater hoses, so I guess it's coming out of a freeze plug or my head gasket. Is this a good assessment? How eles could it drip form the back of the engine?

 

[wallaka]

Those are the three choices as far as I know. Might want to spray it down with degreaser and then keep a check on it, maybe you can pinpoint it that way.

 

[CoupeBoy]

That method works most of the time (clean then watch) but if you want an answer sooner you might want to truck down to your local parts store and rent a coolant pressurizer. Last time I needed one it cost $0 after I was done with it but they required a $170 deposit. I rung it up on my credit card, walked out to the parking lot, pressurized the system, watched the antifreeze leak out, then went back inside and bought a thermostat and thermostat housing gasket. Then credited my card back the $170 (I thought it was about stupid since they could have just walked out there with me and done it without any transaction, oh well. It was AadvancedAuto btw.

-ron

 

[jamyers]

How eles could it drip form the back of the engine?

Oh... Leaking head gasket, cracked block, cracked head...

What is it that makes me instantly search for the worst possible scenarios?

 

[CoupeBoy]

What is it that makes me instantly search for the worst possible scenarios?

It's because you are an optimist..

-ron

 

[Harte3]

Had the same thing on my 300 two months ago...noticed a small spoton the ground where I park. Couldn't see where it was actually coming from and had it tested. The shop said they could not find a leak with a pressure test...it became steadily worse until I had steam/spray near the back of the block. A rubber plug on a block fitting (hose barb) was cracked. Changed it out to a petcock fitting and problem solved but I was in a panic because it looked like it might be a blown gasket or cracked head from the mess being made.

 

[LaGrasta]

I didn't drive it to work today, but I'll Simple Green the engine bay and put some miles on it over the next week. All the while keeping an eye on the temp gauge and coolant level. I'll report back when I find something.

I just resealed the exhaust manifold (Permatex Ultra Copper, no gasket) and the head was rebuilt less than two years ago.

 

[MustangSix]

Might be one of the 1" plugs in the side of the head below the intake.

 

[LaGrasta]

Might be one of the 1" plugs in the side of the head below the intake.

I'm sort of hoping that's all it is. Although at that, it's difficult to get to those.
...And I just had the manifold off!

 

[Quick 8]

I had this same exact problem. It turned out to be a freeze plug had rusted through. I would bet that is what happened. It wasn't too hard to fix though.
Hope this helps.

 

[cobraguy]

200s have a freeze plug on the back of the head and the back of the block. It could be one of these.

 

[LaGrasta]

mine is a 170ci.

Quick 8, what did you have to remove to access the plug? How did you remove the plug? Drill a pilot hole, screw into it, and pull?

 

[CoupeBoy]

Normally to remove a frost plug you have to use a punch to knock one side of into the block/head (twist it sideways) then grab it with a pliers or pry it out with a bar. I highly doubt you would ever be able to pull it directly out as the cup design is supposed to 'dig' with the edge as it's pushed by fluid from the inside.

-ron

 

[jahearne]

200s have a freeze plug on the back of the head and the back of the block. It could be one of these.

Yup, that just so happens to be where mine is leaking. Gotta pull the head. The previous owner replaced all the freeze plugs except one, maybe two.

 

[michael_cini]

I tried to replace a leeking freeze plug in my cylinder head before while it was on the block. I dicked with it for hours and couldn't get it. Finally had to pull the head to be able to install the plug correctly. What a pain!

 

[Quick 8]

CoupeBoy has it right. You need the hit one side of it until it turns sideways. Then grab it with some pliers and yank it out.

 

[jahearne]

I tried to replace a leeking freeze plug in my cylinder head before while it was on the block. I dicked with it for hours and couldn't get it. Finally had to pull the head to be able to install the plug correctly. What a pain!

I'm going to try and move the engine forward, remove the radiator, undo the motor & trans mount, linkage, etc. Hoist it up and that should give me enough room to bang it out.

 

[michael_cini]

Wow, that sounds like alot of work. I think pulling the head would probably be less work!

I'm going to try and move the engine forward, remove the radiator, undo the motor & trans mount, linkage, etc. Hoist it up and that should give me enough room to bang it out.

 

[jahearne]

Did it:



Had a hole rusted all the way through. It's 1 3/4", but the old fellow at the autoparts store sold me a 1 49/64" says that what all Fords use. A little tight, but I banged in there no problem.

 

[jamyers]

49/64!?! Sheesh, who'da thunk anybody would measure a freezeplug that closely?