'97 Triton 4.6 coolant leak rear of engine

[asand1]

So yesterday I got a call from my wife, saying that my FIL had a blown head gasket in his '97 4.6 F250. I'm glad to say its not actually a bad HG, but I still get to tear into it and see if it's the coolant pipe under the manifold, the hoses, the runner gasket, or the pipe pressed into the rear intake runner. I will post pics of whatever I find, along with the fix. What I can say is that it is spraying the firewall and running down the underside of the cab and dripping off the transmission.

I spent last night researching the net and I think I know all the failure modes, although any input here would be welcome.

 

[GearheadTool]

Considering a sealant, or no?

 

[asand1]

Originally Posted By: GearheadTool
Considering a sealant, or no?

Like bars leak? No. It will get a permanent, if redneck, repair. I just have to see what the problem is.

 

[bdcardinal]

I'm sorry, that is no fun. That year I think is a toss up for having COPs or spark plug wires. Either way check the coil boots or wire boots where they go down the wells for swelling and replace as necessary.

 

[asand1]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
I'm sorry, that is no fun. That year I think is a toss up for having COPs or spark plug wires. Either way check the coil boots or wire boots where they go down the wells for swelling and replace as necessary.

Coil packs and wires. Wires and boots were good when I did plugs a year or two ago. This one has the Aluminum runners with minimal plastic belly.
The one pictured on the left here.

 

[cptbarkey]

JAAAYYY BEEEEEE WEEEELLLLUUUUUUD

 

[229]

One other failure mode. RR corner of HG. There is a service only HG that adds a coating to the MLS to seal slight imperfections. I hope you do not have to do a HG job in a LD F250. Does it seep any oil?

 

[asand1]

Got the intake manifold off today after leaving work early at 11:45. The heater return tube has a pin hole in it. I will JB Weld it or preferably tap it and use a pipe, elbow and nipple. Having a pin hole would indicate that the tube is considerably weakened and would eventually break or spring another leak.

 

[229]

Where can I get an intake manifold like you have pictured?
It looks like the aluminum would hold up longer without leaking on my 5.4L.
Originally Posted By: asand1
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
I'm sorry, that is no fun. That year I think is a toss up for having COPs or spark plug wires. Either way check the coil boots or wire boots where they go down the wells for swelling and replace as necessary.

Coil packs and wires. Wires and boots were good when I did plugs a year or two ago. This one has the Aluminum runners with minimal plastic belly.
The one pictured on the left here.

Where can I get an intake manifold like you have pictured?
It looks like the aluminum would hold up longer without leaking on my 5.4L.

 

[asand1]

Originally Posted By: 229
Where can I get an intake manifold like you have pictured?
It looks like the aluminum would hold up longer without leaking on my 5.4L.
Originally Posted By: asand1
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
I'm sorry, that is no fun. That year I think is a toss up for having COPs or spark plug wires. Either way check the coil boots or wire boots where they go down the wells for swelling and replace as necessary.

Coil packs and wires. Wires and boots were good when I did plugs a year or two ago. This one has the Aluminum runners with minimal plastic belly.
The one pictured on the left here.

Where can I get an intake manifold like you have pictured?
It looks like the aluminum would hold up longer without leaking on my 5.4L.


98 F250. Probably F150s of the same era as well.

 

[asand1]

Patched it up with some JB Weld. Talked the FIL into VC gaskets while I'm in there.

 

[asand1]

All back together last night and going on a 200+ mile drive today.

 

[229]

Let us know how the trip goes.

 

[another Todd]

My first choice would have been to replace the pipe given the labor required to get at it, the rest of the pipe can't be much better than where the leak was. It looks like it is a press fit. Second choice for me would have been Barrs. JB weld last choice. But thats just me.

 

[asand1]

Originally Posted By: another Todd
My first choice would have been to replace the pipe given the labor required to get at it, the rest of the pipe can't be much better than where the leak was. It looks like it is a press fit. Second choice for me would have been Barrs. JB weld last choice. But thats just me.

The pipe is not sold separately, and I've had poor results from Barrs with smaller leaks.