92 Town Car big coolant leak back of engine?

[drhill]

Hi Everyone,

I have suspected a slightly blown head gasket in my 92 Town Car for a week or so...exhaust has some white smoke and coolant smell but it runs great and no water out the tailpipe. Just yesterday, I saw a big pool of coolant under the car and a steady leak coming from where the engine and transmission meet. This was after idling in the driveway for 20 minutes. I've heard there is a cooling system tube running under the intake that may leak? Can anyone point out what some common causes might be? There were no visible leaks from the top of the engine.

Thanks!!

[gadget73]

there is that hose under the intake that heads to the heater core. I think that might be about all thats there. If you pull the alternator and look in there with a flashlight, you should be able to see if the middle of the block has coolant puddled in it. If it does, pretty fair bet its the hose under the intake. The intake has to come off to replace that too.

[SVT98t]

Yes.
Also, replace the intake manifold gaskets while you're at it. Kinda because youi have to when you take the manifold off.
(Also would be a stellar time to clean out the EGR passages as well).


-ryan s.

[IPreferDIY]

there is that hose under the intake that heads to the heater core. I think that might be about all thats there. If you pull the alternator and look in there with a flashlight, you should be able to see if the middle of the block has coolant puddled in it. If it does, pretty fair bet its the hose under the intake. The intake has to come off to replace that too.

If you're talking about something similar to the heater tube that I have on my 2000 Grand Marquis that runs from the back of the water pump under the intake manifold to the area near the heater core, I've read about people finding a way to cut the tube behind the water pump and routing some heater hose (presumably with elbows) around the outside of the engine. That's probably what I would end up doing if mine goes.

I know my heater tube had a bit of corrosion when I replaced the intake manifold, but I just resorted to scraping the loose stuff off and applying the thick Rust Check Coat and Protect. Once in a while, I will take off my alternator, put the Rust Check on my hand, stick my arm under the intake manifold, and make sure the heater tube is still coated.

[sly]

the 2000 should have the hard line of un-suckage on that heater line. The 92-95 used the short rubber hose of suckage clamped to the back of the water pump before making it to the hard line. That is a source of many woes, but can be changed to the hard line of un-suckage with the right parts. Ryan knows which since he's done it to his 93.