Dirtbuster1

I have been smelling antifreeze for 2 months now. It is getting on the exhaust from somewhere. Yesterday I saw a puddle under the truck, but I am having trouble locating the source. Antifreeze is dripping from around the exhaust manifold on the rear cylinder. I have checked the heater hose, but I don't think it is the source. My best guess is that it might be leaking from the intake gasket or head gasket. Is this a common problem?

Thanks

Lurch

Find someone who has a coolant pressure tester hook it up and pump up pressure you will find leak (Good Luck)

Dirtbuster1

I tried that, & could not find the leak!

Lurch

What engine?

Dirtbuster1

5.4, sorry about that! It think it is coming from up top. I have found coolant in some of the spark plug holes!

pauls

Just wondering if you were able to fix the issue. I seem to be having a similar issue.

I just picked up a 98 F-150 that needs a new heater core. I have smoke coming from my vents. I do not have any coolant on the passenger floor but I do have a leak somewhere. I see a puddle on the ground under the trans area on the passenger side of vehicle. I can't seem to find where the leak is coming from though. I need to get the truck on a lift to get a better look. I thought some possibilities were.....

1) Heater hose @firewall
2) Intake manifold
3) Freeze out plug

Any thoughts?

TheJMC

There is a drain for the HVAC plenum on the right hand side of the firewall. It is there to drain condensation, or in your case coolant.

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pauls

Thanks for the advice JMC. I will check that out this weekend. I hope that is all it is. I guess replacing the heater core would take care of that (it would return to draining condensation instead of coolant)? Sorry, im not much of a mechanic but trying to learn.

Dirtbuster1

I have not made my repair yet, but I am pretty certain it is coming from the rear intake water port. My neck has been bothering me pretty bad lately, and I hope to get to it in the next week. I have found with a mirror & flash light, that coolant is leaking from the intake area. I am dreading removing the intake. I have done it once before. Around a 1 to 11/2 hours to get it off.

There is also a water pipe that connects to the heater hose at the rear of the intake, that could possibly be the culprit.