• Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.

    You can register to join the community.

Leaks-r-us

C

cj leadfoot

New CEG'er
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
23
Location
Commerce, MI
'98 SVT, 178,000 mi. While chasing a coolant leak I've found oil, coolant, and exhaust all leaking in same vicinity. Car has always been looked after and never been overheated.

Area in question is behind the front exhaust manifold, somewhere between #5 and #6 exhaust ports. History of persistent but minor oil leak at this location that was not large enough to merit action. Recently, coolant started to drip so figured time to clean things up. Thought it was hose to oil cooler, but after dissasembly these appeared good. Trying to eye-ball the source while car was up in the air showed rythmic puffs of exhaust, ticking sound, and coolant dripping, all in the same general vicinity.

Dropped the manifold today (what fun) and can see no obvious coolant leak source. Oil does not appear above the manifold so I'm thinking not simply from cam cover as hoped. Tomorrow's plan is to rig up air pressure test for coolant system, hoping against hope this is a hose/tube/clamp issue, or maybe head gasket issue rather than cracked head or block.

My questions: Is there a single failure mode that would relate all three leaks or is it more likely three separate issues are at work here? Would a head gasket leak likely pass oil as well? Could an exhaust gasket leak cause the head to crack? Any other tests to reccomend?

Thanks for your replys.
 
Coolant. Water pump?

Oil could be something else. Maybe oil pan gasket?
 
Water pump's a bit farther outboard of problem area but maybe it seeps and runs along the block. That would be a nice outcome. Well see tomorrow.

Oil mess is much higher than pan mating surface, coming in just below the exhaust manifold head flange. Are there any gallery plugs or fittings near the exhaust flange?
 
Looks more like head gasket.

Looks more like head gasket.

Thanks for the link.

I'm coming to the same conclusion as closer inspection shows oil no higher than the block deck.

Also, pressure test on cold coolant system shows no leaks. Now the working theory is system needs to heat up and expand some before leaks occur.

Interesting that the linked discussion also reported trace of exhaust leak.

So, if I'm in for one head gasket, would the smart move (rare territory for me) be to replace both while exhaust, oil pan, front cover and intake are all off? Or could the good head be trusted for the next 50,000 or so I intend to keep my beloved SVT rolling?
 
By front head, do you mean the radiatior side? Have you checked the coolant pipe from the reservior to the water pump hoses? If the rubber hoses are shot, you may just get a leak when the engine is hot and under pressure. Have you checked the oil for any water/sludge?
 
Leak repair update: slow but detectable progress

Leak repair update: slow but detectable progress

We all hate "hanging" threads so here's a quick update. Now that most of the engine compartment is emptied, it's obvious that oil was leaking from both head gaskets down the front and back cylinder case. Additionally, there were large oil pools in the V, under the intake, near the crankcase ventilator/ oil seapartor box.

Head gaskets going in as soon as I can get to them. After removing throttle body, intakes, cam covers, exhaust, oil pan, half shaft, alternator, main harness and yet to get P/S pump, timing chain cover, chains, cams THEN we can think about head bolts. Clearly, this ain't no small block Chevy.

Geez, can't believe this started a month ago and I'm still thrashing. Still, I can afford to take my time and do the job right. Next update upon completion, God willing before May.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top