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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Coolant In Spark Plug Wells?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pepperoni
  • Start date Start date Nov 13, 2013

Pepperoni

Member
Mar 1, 2012
21
1
14
Nov 13, 2013
#1
  • Nov 13, 2013
  • #1
The past couple days, my car has had a fairly consistent misfire on cylinder 7 at idle. I found water in the around the spark plugs for cyl. 7 and 8, so I aired them out and wiped off the plugs, and the car ran without problems yesterday afternoon. When I got home from work today, the misfire was back, and I found more water around the same plugs. I smelled it this time and I'm pretty sure it's coolant. Is it possible for an intake gasket to be leaking into the spark plug wells?

I'm going to go watch it idle and see if there are any obvious leaks...

plug wells right next to the upper intake
not the moisture on the plug wires
 

Mr. Rustypwnz

Advanced Member
Jun 1, 2005
1,761
63
69
indianapolis/ valdosta ga
Nov 13, 2013
#2
  • Nov 13, 2013
  • #2
Yeah intake is prolly toast. Do yourself a favor and put a pi intake on it. It looks like yours has the pos dorman on it.
 

Mattstang04

15 Year Member
Sep 15, 2006
1,152
144
104
St. Louis, MO
Nov 13, 2013
#3
  • Nov 13, 2013
  • #3
I agree. Its probably time for a new intake. Rustypwnz is right about doing it yourself. It is easy. If you dont upgrade to a really expensive aluminum intake, go with Ford OEM PI intake.
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Nov 13, 2013
#4
  • Nov 13, 2013
  • #4
I'd advise against the Dorman as well. Spend a little extra to get the Ford OEM.
 

wms004

Founding Member
Jan 15, 2002
2,864
2
49
Los Angeles
Nov 13, 2013
#5
  • Nov 13, 2013
  • #5
Check my thread here: http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-for...-nipple-broke-121k-miles.869922/#post-8742896
 

flstang65

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2007
1,484
135
94
SE Georgia
Nov 16, 2013
#6
  • Nov 16, 2013
  • #6
The Doorman actually robs you of power
 

Pepperoni

Member
Mar 1, 2012
21
1
14
Nov 18, 2013
#7
  • Nov 18, 2013
  • #7
So does a 99+ intake bolt right onto my car?
 

flstang65

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2007
1,484
135
94
SE Georgia
Nov 19, 2013
#8
  • Nov 19, 2013
  • #8
yes
 

COramprat

...I can take it. I think.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
8,474
1,463
223
Sea of Tranquility
Nov 19, 2013
#9
  • Nov 19, 2013
  • #9
Pepperoni said:
So does a 99+ intake bolt right onto my car?
Click to expand...
Actually, no. The coolant ports are different. But it will work. There used to be some transition plates that were made to fit the 99+ on the 96-98's but you will probably only find them used. You can also seal the ports with RTV. There are write-ups on how to do it. Should still be in the FAQ or tech sections of this group.

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/npi-to-pi-cam-manifold-swap-how-to.661774/

http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums/96-98/1673-npi-pi-intake-swap.html
 

1987stangman

Member
Jul 12, 2006
684
24
19
Nov 20, 2013
#10
  • Nov 20, 2013
  • #10
You def. don't want the Dorman. I did this job couple days ago on my car, coolant x-over cracked. I looked at the Dorman at my local parts house and even though its for the 99 04 GT's the ports look more like NPI and are visually smaller in size when compared to the PI intake. As is the TB port and is overall not made very well and it does not use stock stock intake to head gaskets. They supply cheasy screws to hold the cops in also. The FRPP PI intake costs 236.99 at Summit Racing and is exactly what came on the 01 up to 04 GT Mustangs.
 

sneaky98gt

10 Year Member
Apr 23, 2008
2,387
144
114
NC State University
Nov 25, 2013
#11
  • Nov 25, 2013
  • #11
PI intake will bolt up. Just have to use a little RTV on the water jacket ports. As COramprat mentioned, there should be plenty of threads around about this. It's definitely something you can do yourself. It was the very first thing I ever did to my car.

If you didn't want to buy one new, you could likely find one on some classifieds (Stangnet, Corral, SN95Forums, etc.) or a junkyard (www.car-part.com). You will also need the coolant tube from a newer car, and (I think) a different alternator bracket (or modify your stock one).
 
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