Coolant leak on 4.6

[Black_Cobra]

Hello folks,

I might buy a 97 GT for $3,000. The guy that owns it says it has a coolant leak and that a replacing the plenum gasket would repair it. I have not seen the car and I wouldn't hold anyone to it, but what are the chances that he is right? I worried it may need a head gasket. The car is all stock. Do these things blow head gaskets often?

In the fotos I've seen the car looks very clean, it has 110,000kmi. I figure if all it takes to fix the leak is the intake gasket, it's a pretty good deal but if it's the head gasket, it's not such a bargain.

TIA

 

[Screwed2V]

Sounds like a deal if that's all it is although it could very easily be a cracked intake, which is a common problem but fairly cheap and easy to fix, or even a head gasket. I'd want to look it over extensively before I bought it.

 

[Black_Cobra]

Thanks Toke. I'll talk to the guy and try to find out his reasoning for thinking it's the intake gasket. He has the car serviced at the dealer so maybe that's who gave him that diagnosis.

He's selling the car cuz he lost his liscense and needs cash fast.

The car is for my nephew. Spoiled brat!

 

[d98gt]

The 96-98 mustangs had a problem with the intake cracking. They are plastic and will crack mostly in the front which is visible.

The P.I intake will cost $200.. and it'll cost about $65 for parts.

That will get you around 15 to the wheels also

 

[RysRed96GT]

coolant isnt flowing through your plenum so changing that wont do anything.

where is the coolant leaking from? did he say? its much easier to change a intake manifold gasket than a headgasket.

 

[Black_Cobra]

He's a little sketchy about the leak. He says it's drivable and that it only becomes a problem on long drives lol

I'll be looking at the car July5th, I hope I can figure out where it's leaking from without taking it apart.

 

[RysRed96GT]

He's a little sketchy about the leak. He says it's drivable and that it only becomes a problem on long drives lol

I'll be looking at the car July5th, I hope I can figure out where it's leaking from without taking it apart.

also check the CTS sensors on top the manifold. those leaked on my 98 manifold i had on my 96 (00 manifold fixed that ). check the back of the engine too for wet spots.

 

[Black_Cobra]

Jeez. I can't buy this thing until I know what is wrong. It'll be great if it's just an intake gasket or a leaky sensor but this could also be a costly repair. If I end up needing to replace the intake with a PI manifold and adapter kit it looks like $650 plus some skin of my knuckles.

http://www.livernoismotorsports.com/product.phtml?p=457&large=1

 

[Screwed2V]

coolant isnt flowing through your plenum so changing that wont do anything.

I don't think anyone suspected the plenum. The intake is what we were suggesting he look at along with other things.