Engine Coolant In Throttle Body ?

[Bb1100yankees]

I removed my upper intake to access the #3 fuel injector as I received an error code for the #3 cylinder while doing the cylinder balance test.

While removing the throttle body, there was some coolant that leaked out.

Is it normal to have coolant in the throttle body? I am guessing no and that this is a signaling that the lower intake gasket is leaking.

I have a high RPM stumble that I am chasing down and thinking a leaking intake gasket could be causing a large enough vacuum leak to be the culprit.

Thanks!

 

[Mustang5L5]

The EGR spacer contains coolant that is plumbed in by two hoses. One hose comes from the black coolant tube on the pass side of the intake, and the other hose returns to the lower intake at the rear.

If the EGR spacer gaskets are failing, there would be a leak into the intake manifold. But if the coolant was discovered after removing the TB, then yes, it is supposed to be there. You can bypass the EGR by plumbing the two tubes into a small piece of tubing temporatily until you can replace the gaskets.

 

[Bb1100yankees]

ok ty, i will check to see if it is currently setup with the coolant lines to the EGR spacer, with this car nothing would surprise me.

So just a recap...with finding coolant in the throttle body is that normal or should I be replacing the EGR spacer gaskets?

I did find the coolant down about 1/2 gallon, so I am assuming it is going somewhere and just trying to figure out what I should be replacing. I do not believe it is a head gasket leak. No coolant in the oil is present, and it holds temperature with no issues.

I have the upper intake off, so replacing the EGR gasket or even the lower intake gasket at this point is not too big of a deal.

Thanks!

 

[Mustang5L5]

When you say "in the throttle body", so you mean inside the actual pathway that leads to the cylinder heads, or physically internal of the throttle body?

Here's the EGR spacer with the throttle body removed. The two black hoses circled at the top are the coolant hoses that supply the spacer. The ribbing around the spacer is an actual coolant passage, and there is a mating passage on the throttle body. Coolant should be here, but NOT inside the pathway that air takes to the cylinder heads

 

[Bb1100yankees]

when i removed those rubber lines you have circled i did not pinch them closed...the coolant leaked out of the throttle body onto the passenger valve cover gasket, not a ton, but it was definitely coolant

 

[Bb1100yankees]

the coolant was coming out of the area i have circled below

 

[Mustang5L5]

In that case, failed gaskets. Pick up some new gaskets, clean the mating surfaces up, apply a thin coat of rtv and reseal it up

 

[Bb1100yankees]

ok ty, just so i am clear, we are talking EGR spacer gaskets correct?

 

[General karthief]

Correct.

 

[Mustang5L5]

EGR spacer, and throttle body gasket. Two separate gaskets. The throttle body gasket is the one for the coolant passage. The EGR spacer gasket is between the spacer and intake and the EGR gases are in that void between the two

 

[gstsaver]

Hi - thought I would post to this thread about my issue.
I replaced my upper intake 9old one was cracked... and no issues , runs good etc. But after I took it for an hour drive I noticed coolant dripping from the rear coolant line on the throttle body (one closest to the EGR). The hose was tight but dripping out... turned the car off and undid the hose and antifreeze flew out everywhere at what seems like high pressure (from the spot the hose goes onto). Can anyone tell me why they think this happened ? Also, the low coolant light is on, even though I am not low on coolant. What would cause there to be a build up of pressure of the antifreeze in that hose.

 

[General karthief]

Because that is part of the engine cooling system, the nipple is likely cracked, get another egr plate and while your there clean the egr valve too. The coolant runs through it to cool down the exhaust gasses entering the intake.