odd coolant leak

[92cvowner]

Hi folks...

I'm new here. This is my first post, so I hope I'm doing this right. I have a '92 Crown Vic with the 4.6L engine. It recently developed a small coolant leak at the back of the block towards the drivers side under the area where the wiper motor is. The heater hoses are on the other side of the engine and they appear to be OK. I put a pressure tester on it and can just barely get my hand back in there to feel a slight spray coming out of somewhere. I can't feel any hoses back there, and have never pulled one of these motors, so I'm not sure exactly what's back there. I hate to think that it's an intake manifold gasket or freeze plug, as that will turn into quite a job to fix. There's no room for a light and mirror in there, so I can't see it. Has anyone pulled one of these motors and got a good idea of what might be back there? Is there a small hose back there that might have blown? I'd appreciate any help or ideas before I get deep into trying to find this leak. The car does not have automatic temperature control. I added a can of stop leak...didn't help.

Thanks

[jonmark1985]

I'm not really sure about whats leaking back there, I think you've already said all the things I would have said.

Mainly, just wanting to say, welcome to the forum!

[93vicman]

Possibly a cylinder head leak. If the engine overheated the cylinder head is likely warped. Or possibly a blown head gasket.

[Car53whereRU]

On the early 4.6 engines there is a metal coolant tube that runs from the back of water pump under the intake. There is a short section (about 4" long) of hose at the front. This hose could have a pin hole or the metal tube could have rusted. Either way the intake will need to be removed. The water tube use to be a dealer item. If you have not already replaced the plastic intake to the new style with the metal crossover this may be a good time to do both. It is not a difficult job but allow the better part of a day if you have never done one.

[92cvowner]

Thanks, car53 for the information. I did, however, manage to find it and fix it several days ago. It was indeed that cooling tube. I got fooled about the location of the leak when I was initially looking for it because it was spraying coolant on the firewall on the drivers side, when the leaking tube is actually more on the passenger side. This was my first repair on a 4.6L, so I didn't even know that the tube existed. It is a dealer only item, around $40. I think Ford didn't start using the plastic intake on those cars until the '95 models. Mine is aluminum. Removing the w/w wiper motor assembly helped with this job, as it's difficult to get to some of the connections on the back of the intake manifold, and it gave me a chance to really clean it up in there. It was amazing how much organic material had accumulated around the wiper motor. Again, thanks to all who responded.