Coolant leakage on gen 4 OHV 3L

[pontiacinf]

3 weeks back I noticed that while in a line waiting for food my heat gauge running high, once I got out of the line and driving it went down, but if I turned a corner it went back up and then down.

I checked coolant level next day and the holding tank was empty, so I filled it to the line and ran it for a day. Gauge problem stopped, but when I checked later the holding tank was empty, so I filled it again, in all it took one whole bottle of mix (50/50) and then maybe one tenth of next once it leveled out in two days. After maybe 5 days I was getting this smell of heated oil and water, so once again look under the hood the tank is now again empty, no evidence of anti showing up in oil or oil cap, but under the holding tank I see wetness where the hose meets tank on under side. HOse goes from tank thru frame to what I assume is the bottom of the radiator.

I think I can take the tank out myself, but im worried if I have to change the hose, it goes thru and outer sleeve thru frame. Is that sleeve stationary to act as a guide or is it just to protect hose during movement? If that sleeve is stationary I should be able to feed the hose down no problem, but do not to find out I am wrong half way thru.

any reply appreciated.

[Bull Geek]

Sounds like you just need a tank. Get the updated tank, as well as the updated cap, from Ford. RockAuto has these cheap if you are not in a rush for the parts.

Hose should be fine.

[Breeves002]

You probably won't have to replace the hose. The tank is usually easy to remove, just two bolts. Pull it out and you will probably see cracks on the bottom. Parts stores sell them too, $40 for it when I replaced mine I'm pretty sure.

If the hose is cracked it isn't horrible to replace. Shouldn't be your problem though.


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[ricer333]

Here's my $.02 on these coolant tanks. Go to AutoZone and by the Dorman coolant tank. AZ offers a lifetime warranty on these things. When the coolant tank cracks again in 1.5-2 years, take it back, get a new tank (for free), do a coolant flush, and be on your way.

It stinks, but these tanks are just prone to cracking, just like the washer hose that goes up under the heat blanket. You can only replace them so much. If AZ is willing to offer lifetime warranties on them, I say pay your $40 and that will be the last time you have to pay for it.

[Jeff K]

^^^^ If the car is used for short trips around town and you check the Dorman tank for leaks once a week, I dont see a problem with that. Personally, I HATE random breakdowns, especially since every summer the wife and I take 2 or sometimes 3 2000+ mile road trips. If it were me, I would buy the improved Motorcraft tank and not have to worry about it for several years. Would you buy a "lifetime guarantee" POS AZ starter motor that you had to replace every 6 months when it left you stranded 500 miles from home?

[willyum]

I had similar. Bought the tank only to find after removal of the old one that it was the hose. Now I have an extra tank.

[Automender12345]

I bought a Ford tank after reading all the negative reviews of the Dorman tank on the Advanced Auto Parts website. It also had bad reviews about the quality of threads and cap. Bought a Ford cap also.

[Bull Geek]

Another thing you must read about some of these warranties. The store may only replace the item once (Limited Lifetime Warranty). AFter that you are on your own...aka buy another.

[Automender12345]

I had to replace a radiator two times in six months because of leaking trans cooler connections because the would not just replace the fitting. That a long job on a Taurus since they come out the bottom. Finally I when and pulled them from the old Ford radiator. A rad shop told me they always switch them out with ford ones because of all the rework from the aftermarket ones. I also replaced front TRW sway bar links three times on each side that I bought from Advanced Auto Parts. Finally they would not replace them but have me credit to a upgraded MOOG part.

Also spent all day trying to bleed an Autozone PS pump even with a vacuum pump. Took it back bought a Ford and 15 minutes with vacuum it was quite.

[Bull Geek]

Those aftermarket fittings do not work.

Luckily Ford still makes the ones for the 1st and 2nd Gens, since they are the only ones that work and don't leak! I went through that Saga last year.