Coolant leak 89 351

218 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by jermil01, 2 d ago

Pastor Josh

Discussion Starter · 4 d ago

I have a small coolant leak somewhere on the back of the engine that I’m having trouble finding. It appears that its coming from above the heads or at least seems to run down them? This is my first bronco and not a lot of experience with fords so looking for suggestions if there’s a common issue or a good place to start.

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jermil01

· #2 · 4 d ago

Hi @Pastor Josh , welcome to the FSB family. When you get a chance, make sure to fill our the you profile with all the details about your Bronco, year, model, engine/tranny combo and any mods.

With regards to the coolant leak, most of the common issues are around the front. Here's a brief list:

Timing cover
Thermostat housing
Throttle body coolant lines

Is the coolant dripping all the time, or does it just happen under pressure? I'd suggest renting or buying a pressure test kit. Will make it a lot easier to troubleshoot. Good luck.

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miesk5

· #3 · 4 d ago (Edited)

Yo Pastor Josh,
Welcome to our Big Bronco DIY Community!
Coolant Leaks:

Damaged radiator. Damaged water pump. Loose/damaged radiator hoses. Loose/damaged heater water hoses. Damaged heater core. Damaged engine gaskets. Damaged radiator coolant recovery reservoir. Internal engine coolant leak.

The most common places where coolant may be leaking at engine rear are:
Hose Cracks, pinholes or splits in a radiator hose or heater hose will leak coolant. A hose leak will usually send a stream of hot coolant spraying out of the hose. A corroded hose connection or a loose or damaged hose clamp may also allow coolant to leak from the end of a hose. Sometimes the leak may only occur once the hose gets hot and the pinhole or crack opens up.

"Freeze plugs leak due to rust. They are located:
Three large per side.
Rear of the cam journal
Two small in the front by the cam journal.
One medium size in the top back of the lifter valley.
One threaded per side.
One threaded in the front by the dizzy hole. "
by absent member Aikidoka

●
See these 1989 Ford Truck Service Manuals - Google Drive
Click "Drive" in pop-up
Includes:
1989 Ford Bronco Electrical & Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual
1989 Bronco & Ford Truck Emissions Manual
1989 Ford Car/Truck Pre-Delivery Manual
1989 Light Duty Truck Volume A: Body/Chassis/Electrical Volume 1 of 2
1989 Light Duty Truck Volume A: Body/Chassis/Electrical Volume 2 of 2
1989 Light Duty Truck Volume B: Engine
●
Haynes Red Manual for 80-95 Bronco & F Series @ Hanes guide 80-96 bko f series.pdf found by member BroncMom!

See my mostly recovered site by member schwim @ Ford Bronco And F-150 Links - FORD BRONCO It contains boo-koo component repairs, installation & parts sources.

1989 Ford Bronco Dealer Brochure

1989 Bronco Lubricant Specifications by Ford via Gary

For any Bronco questions, it's better to post each seperately in Noobie Bronco Tech Questions. Flame free zone. This will get more attention and you can build up your post count to get into other sections such as Bronco and Ford Parts/Accessories (50 posts required to participate due to scammers who preyed on our members).

See How to add your 89s Signature @ Bronco Forum - Full Size Ford Bronco Forum by BigBlue 94

Forum FAQs includes for example, Hot to Use Search. How To Save (Bookmark) Threads Or Posts, How To Upload Images To Posts and more tips!

➡ Baba Looey's Favorite FSB Links (lots and lots of tech links) includes such as, How do I fix my back window?

Please find time to participate and Vote in our Full-Size Bronco of the Month Contest and later in the year, Full-Size of the Year Contest @ Voting
You will get ideas by those competing.
Prizes are awarded to Winner!; a full spread in Bronco Driver Magazine is the top prize, in addition to a years subscription, once the article is submitted; also, a years worth of premium FSB membership.

🙏
Al

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Pastor Josh

Discussion Starter · #4 · 4 d ago

After a closer look it appears the frost plugs on the back of the cylinder heads are leaking. Hoping I can get them changed the way it sits.

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jermil01

· #5 · 4 d ago (Edited)

Pastor Josh said:
After a closer look it appears the frost plugs on the back of the cylinder heads are leaking. Hoping I can get them changed the way it sits.

Not sure what you mean about frost plugs at the back of the heads. The only thing on the back of the heads would be the cross over tubes for the emissions equipment and those don't have coolant in them. Can you take a picture?

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packagerjr

· #6 · 4 d ago

Unsure of engine but could it be the intake to head gaskets? Is there a water port back there?

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Bribri

· #7 · 3 d ago

jermil01 said:
Not sure what you mean about frost plugs at the back of the heads. The only thing on the back of the heads would be the cross over tubes for the emissions equipment and those don't have coolant in them. Can you tak a picture?

Sbf heads have an expansion plug on each end of head, commonly called freeze plugs but they are only to cap holes necessary in the casting process, they are not to prevent block damage from frozen coolant but may pop due to it. Steel is most common material and is exposed to the coolant so not uncommon for the to rust out. Best to replace with brass and not gonna be easy if even possible to due without removing head or engine.

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jermil01

· #8 · 2 d ago

Bribri said:
Sbf heads have an expansion plug on each end of head, commonly called freeze plugs but they are only to cap holes necessary in the casting process, they are not to prevent block damage from frozen coolant but may pop due to it. Steel is most common material and is exposed to the coolant so not uncommon for the to rust out. Best to replace with brass and not gonna be easy if even possible to due without removing head or engine.

Huh, I've never paid attention to that..guess it's because I've had one leak on me. plenty of other places but not there..had to dig up a pic..

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