Coolant in spark plug holes

313blkstang · Feb 13, 2007

Uh oh.. My car started running really rough yesterday like one of the cylinders was not firing or so. So this morning when I got up I went out to check all the spark plug wire connections and found that the first two on the passenger side had coolant in them, almost to the point where you can't see the plug itself.. and my Check Engine light is blinking!!!! the car runs rough until it gets up to about highway speed then it seems to smooth out.. Could this be a cracked intake or cracked head gaskets? Should I try replacing the intake first or just go ahead and replace the engine.. It has 153,000 miles on it as of now.

Nater · Feb 13, 2007

I would have to say that it may be a cracked head. I cannot see how a cracked head gasket would let coolant into the spark plug wells. Since the coolant filled the wells, they are causing the plugs to misfire and throw a code. Don't drive like that unless you'd like to put in a new, more powerful engine...

313blkstang · Feb 13, 2007

Thanks for replying.. I just found a '97 engine with 70k on it for $700 still in the car so I'm gonna go check it out this weekend.. Not the engine I want but it'll have to be a quick fix..

LaserRed01GT · Feb 13, 2007

313blkstang said:
Uh oh.. My car started running really rough yesterday like one of the cylinders was not firing or so. So this morning when I got up I went out to check all the spark plug wire connections and found that the first two on the passenger side had coolant in them, almost to the point where you can't see the plug itself.. and my Check Engine light is blinking!!!! the car runs rough until it gets up to about highway speed then it seems to smooth out.. Could this be a cracked intake or cracked head gaskets? Should I try replacing the intake first or just go ahead and replace the engine.. It has 153,000 miles on it as of now.

It's more than likely a cracked intake manifold, but before you replace it check to make sure things like your ECT sensor aren't just leaking past the threads. Normally when the crossover cracks, it will leak into the firts two front cylinders. Don't run the car anymore until you get the problem fixed, because you can ruin the COP's and/or PCM having fluid in the spark plug wells like that.

Back2Mustangs · Feb 13, 2007

Had to replace my intake...

The coolant crossover cracked on my 96 GT and it was clearly noticeable by the spray pattern on the hood-liner, and the white residue left behind by the vaporized anti-freeze. Look for those two signs... if you can't find a visible origin of the coolant then start the car and manually increase the RPM's at the throttle body by hand - as you slowly increase the rev's be watching around the coolant crossover for fluid to start running/spraying out of an invisible crack... Suck the coolant out of the spark plug wells with a shop-vac or whatever, because as stated above, that's what is causing the plugs not to fire.

Ebay is riddled with aluminum crossover non-PI & PI intakes and the gaskets are found cheaply at any auto parts store. If you do the swap yourself get an extra set of hands or you'll feel like breaking the EGR off. Good luck.

313blkstang · Feb 13, 2007

thanks fella's I was considering replacing the intake manifold beforehand. Thanks again!!!!!

LaserRed01GT · Feb 13, 2007

I'd recommend only going with an OEM Ford replacement. Stay away from those knockoffs on ebay, they are not the same as OEM.

The updated PI intake w/aluminum crossover is Ford Part# 1W7Z9424AB

313blkstang · Feb 13, 2007

LaserRed01GT said:
I'd recommend only going with an OEM Ford replacement. Stay away from those knockoffs on ebay, they are not the same as OEM.

The updated PI intake w/aluminum crossover is Ford Part# 1W7Z9424AB

uh oh. I just ordered one from ebay.. it's listed as a direct oem replacement though.. I called the dealer and they wanted $557 for the NPI intake and $800 for the PI intake..

LaserRed01GT · Feb 13, 2007

313blkstang said:
uh oh. I just ordered one from ebay.. it's listed as a direct oem replacement though.. I called the dealer and they wanted $557 for the NPI intake and $800 for the PI intake..

They are quoting you the list price for the entire PI upgraded intake manifold kit which includes the intake manifold, gaskets, and the updated alternator bracket. Part# 1R3Z9424AAA The list price is the MSRP retail and you should never pay that. The PI kit normally goes for around $588.

The Ford Part# that I gave you only lists for 352 and you can get it through Randy Stinchcomb on here for $245 and you will know for sure that it is a genuine Ford intake manifold. Randy will sell you the entire upgrade kit for $300 even and you even get a complimentary Liberty Ford license plate holder .

Most of those manifolds they claim to be "OEM" on ebay are actually manufactured by a company called Dorman and they are not good quality.

Rule number #1: DO NOT BUY CAR PARTS OFF EBAY!!

313blkstang · Feb 14, 2007

So today I went out, removed the wires from the spark plugs and took the shop vac and blew all the coolant outta the spark plug holes.. Started her back up and she runs like normal.. Now I'm just waiting for my new intake to arrive..

Smokeurhonda · Feb 14, 2007

Before you go and start runnin your motor tryin to find the coolant leak, double check you oil and make sure you don't have any water in the crank case. If you oil looks like "milkshake" on the dip stick, water is leaking into the oil pan. If you continue to run with water in there kiss your motor goodbye
.

LaserRed01GT · Feb 14, 2007

I agree with Smokeurhonda. It would be a good idea to let your COP's dry out for a good day since you said their was so much coolant around the plugs. You can quickly fry a COP with moisture still inside the boot.

Don't forget to put some di-electric grease between the COP spring and plugs.

VIRstang · Feb 15, 2007

I just had the exact same problem, two spark plug wells were full of anti-freeze and the car was running poorly. I replaced the intake with a OEM replacement and it runs like a new car. I followed a write up by LaserRed01GT in another thread that walked you through the replacement. A piece of cake! Thanks, LaserRed01GT!!!!

313blkstang · Feb 15, 2007

Cool... Yeah I checked the oil and it looks normal.. no foam or anything else... I'm excited about changing out the intake by myself!!!!! Anyone have a link to that write up?

Dusstbuster · Feb 15, 2007

Yeah you obviously have a car older than 1999 huh?
My sig has a writeup for it too.

Rickey_Bobby · Feb 15, 2007

Try replacing the intake gaskets first (cheapest way) if the coils went out, they are probably toast. Mine sucked ever since they got wet. IF you have the cash to get the updated intake, do it as well, because if your intake isnt cracked yet, it will soon. There is a guy on ebay selling sets of coils cheap. Its all he sells. I got mine from him for $190 for the set and have had no problems with them.

LaserRed01GT · Feb 15, 2007

313blkstang said:
Cool... Yeah I checked the oil and it looks normal.. no foam or anything else... I'm excited about changing out the intake by myself!!!!! Anyone have a link to that write up?

I don't know if could call it a writeup, just some tips I was thinking of off the top of my head.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=683686

Dusstbuster · Feb 15, 2007

Ok people..................................................................................

This all depends on the year of his car.
It looks like he has a pre 99 vehicle so therefore he'd have a) a NPI intake manifold that is prone to cracking and b) would have plug wires, not COP's.

He already said he messed with plug WIRES so for now I think you should assume he's driving an NPI vehicle...

mrvax · Feb 15, 2007

Dusstbuster said:
Ok people..................................................................................

This all depends on the year of his car.
It looks like he has a pre 99 vehicle so therefore he'd have a) a NPI intake manifold that is prone to cracking and b) would have plug wires, not COP's.

He already said he messed with plug WIRES so for now I think you should assume he's driving an NPI vehicle...

Ding ding ding! We have a winner. Wonder why he didn't originally state his year ?

COramprat · Feb 16, 2007

mrvax said:
Ding ding ding! We have a winner. Wonder why he didn't originally state his year ?

That is what I was looking for. That makes a difference.

PM Randy Stinchcomb for the parts you need to replace the intake. He has it set up as a kit for like 75 bucks.

Coolant in spark plug holes

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