using coolant!!!!

[starkersEB]

Hi guys got a bit of a problem with my ED she is using a heap of coolant, ive checked the motor and no milk and there is no leaks in the radiator. Sometimes there is a bit out of the overflow but never enough to cause any problems, plus its usually when the coolant is low that happens (obviously getting hot). Any advice would be a good help

[spivver]

Have you checked the welsh plugs? I had a leaking plug behind the distributor in my EB. It was big enough to cause a slow decrease in coolant, but small enough so that it would boil off the block without leaking onto the ground

[Hunter]

I had the same problem with my EL. It was a very constant and continuous coolant loss problem. Noticed no external leakage at all. I did however notice that every time I drove it, I could smell burning coolant in the engine bay when I stopped. Basically the headgasket had blown at the back of cylinder #6 after one of the headbolts let go. The first four cylinders displayed nominal cold compression readings however cylinders #5 and #6 were down about 100 kpa. So I pulled the sparkplugs out and found that plug #5 and plug #6 had signs of corrosion/residue around the base and electrode. I also sniffed the surge tank and noted a distinct blowby odour. Not good. Means some combustion gasses are leaking into the coolant.

It took about 4-5 months for the oil to begin showing signs of emulsification. Eventually I took it to a mechanic for a quote. They did a pressure and gas check on the cooling system and the verdict was that it was indeed the headgasket. They also quoted me $1450 minimum. This price was not agreeable so I contacted a contact of a contact and got it done for $750. Luckily for me the leakage wasn't massive and didn't result in a noticeable power loss and my head did not warp (phew).

Oh and cylinder #6 hasn't much carbon anymore :.

So yeah if you cannot find any external leakage, then I would be taking compression readings and checking sparkplug condition on all cylinders as chances are you headgasket has blown (though that may not be the only explanation). Also if you're wanting to, see if you can sniff the coolant and see if it smells like used oil.

[LTDHO]

Check ya spark plugs.

[starkersEB]

Cheers guys ill have a sus tomorrow.

[FTe342]

Originally Posted by xm250

Cheers guys ill have a sus tomorrow.

My EL XR6 recently started using/loosing coolant and it was leaking between the head gasket and head on the exhaust side around no 4 & 5. Same as said before, it was evaporating before dripping to ground.

here is the bad news. 6 cyl Fords have been doing this from EA to EL. The head gasket does not blow, they just leak between the two surfaces. In some cases, the head bolt just snaps on the car. Water jacket is too close to edge of head

Its a big job the remove the head. get it surface ground - $65. Ford charged
$290 for gasket kit and 14 new head bolts which must be replaced. Could have bought same from head machine shop for $90 but don't know about quality. Shop guy told me they do about 6 or 7 a week. Mostly EF - EL these days.

Here is something that will make you laugh. BA 6 & 8 cyls have same problem. He has 10 sets of heads waiting to repair at the moment. Wonder of Ford will go another 8 yrs before they fix it this time.

PS also check the pipe for leak that goes from the thermosat housing all the way round the back of the block and comes forward under the exhaust manifold and goes into back of water pump. Mine was leaking here also. It only has an O ring on it and just presses in and is held in place by bolt thru bracket into side of block and bolt thru bell housing into back of block

[Sorted]

I wish I didnt read this thread :(

Dont think I wanted to know the costs.

I will be back after I pick my self up from the floor :(