Anti-freeze Leak? Please help!

[e5cmb]

98' GT - The other day I got on the throttle quite heavy in first gear and redlined it for a bit too long. Afterwards, I smelled anti-freeze and could see some steam coming from under the hood. I immediately parked my car and took a look.

There was a bit of anti-freeze on top of the engine block and also near the end of the hose that leads from the radiator to the engine. Steam was also appeared to be coming from the radiator itself.

Any thoughts on the issue would be greatly appreciated. I am a bit new, as you can probably tell, to working on cars in general.

Thank you.

 

[mustangman9812]

Maybe Cracked Intake

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Most likely your intake manifold cracked although other causes are possible. Can you pinpoint the exact source of the leak?

 

[e5cmb]

The leak appears to be coming from where the hose from the radiator connects to the intake manifold. There is anti-freeze around the entire base and dripping don on to the top of the engine block.

So I guess I am looking at replacing the intake, right? And if so, any suggestions on a brand/type to get? Performance wise?

Thank you also for the replies.

 

[mustangman9812]

Yeh. Ford Racing or Dorman makes A good OEM replacement

 

[the98stang]

Check all the coolant hoses first for cracks/bulges.

It's most likely your intake though. Ford made them extra special with our 4.6L's

 

[LI98GTStang]

Yeah, most likely the plastic intake is cracked in the crossover area. Here's the link to the outcome of the class action suit - just background information though. Most here I think will recommend replacing with Ford's PI version (2001-2004) with an aluminum crossover tube so it won't happen again. Search on "intake" and you will hit the motherload of all threads.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=602088

 

[jasonh_86]

If you need an intake, let me know

I have a PI manifold with the aluminum coolant crossover

 

[GDawg]

It's the intake leak. It happens to everyone of these manifolds. You can find an OEM NPI with Aluminum runner replacement on eBay I'm sure.

See my link for help for you doing the work yourself.

 

[Mike97gt]

I have a brand new PI aluminum crossover manifold, all you need is a set of gaskets I will sell it for 70 bucks plus shipping... PM me if your interested.

The PI intake is for the 99-04 GT's and will give you a little extra horsepower on your car. all it takes to install it is a little rtv and some PI intake gaskets. I will show you in pictures where to put the RTV if you are going to install it.

This manifold is a ford factory part that another tech was going to install on a mustang but that car ended up needing a new motor and the new m otor came with a manifold so they did not need this one. I used the intake gaskets that came with it on another car so all you will need is the gaskets.

 

[d98gt]

Thats a good deal plus you will gain a bit of power

 

[Tally_4.6]

Welcome to my situation.

 

[Mike97gt]

Thats a good deal plus you will gain a bit of power

I just want to get rid of it.. It's getting hard to sell stuff now because of the jerks that screw people on the internet. One good thing about buying this intake off of me is that I have too much to loose on here to screw somebody on a internet deal.. For one I am on the sites staff and the other reason is since I want to open a mustang shop in the next year or so my reputaion on here is more important than a few bucks.

 

[d98gt]

Thats understandable What other parts can you get your hands on for cheap(HINT: PI CAMS)? pm me if able

To keep this somewhat tech related, Could someone post up the pictures of where to RTV with the NPI gaskets, and then a picture of where to RTV with the PI gaskets. I know there are many threads about this, but i'd appreciate just the pictures without all the write-up article

 

[DTMach1]

Man any other car and I would've said you blew a head gasket, popped a radiator hose or something like that...

But after replacing two intakes on my old '97 GT I'd have to say you busted your intake!

Just another thank you from Ford!

 

[CanadaStang]

As others have said, check the thermostat housing/gasket and hoses first but more than likely it's the cracked intake. If so, get the intake from SVT, that's a great price and you know it's going to be good if you buy from him.

 

[Mike97gt]

Thats understandable What other parts can you get your hands on for cheap(HINT: PI CAMS)? pm me if able

To keep this somewhat tech related, Could someone post up the pictures of where to RTV with the NPI gaskets, and then a picture of where to RTV with the PI gaskets. I know there are many threads about this, but i'd appreciate just the pictures without all the write-up article

I do not have any PI cams right now.. If I come up with some I will PM you.. I do have a 8.8 31 spline rear end with 3.73 gears, it's used but I will let it go cheap.