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1999 Mercury Mountaineer Radiator Leak?
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Snapper
New User
Oct 15, 2018, 5:17 PM
Post #1 of 4
(1304 views)
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1999 Mercury Mountaineer Radiator Leak?
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Hello! I drive:
99 Mercury Mountaineer
V8 w/ 170k miles
In the last 3 years I've replaced starter, alternator, belt tensioner (I'm a noob but used YouTube and sites like this to do this stuff myself).
Driving today and heat started rising quickly, pulled off and quite a bit of steam under hood. Coolant was basically empty (absolutely my mistake, not my daily driver which is no excuse I know). Hauled it back home, filled with coolant and added dissolving pellet leak stopper. Idled for 15 minutes with normal temp reading, drove for 15 minutes at various speeds and everything inside looked and smelled fine. Parked, rush of leaking coolant that quickly stopped and gurgling/boiling sound coming from around the radiator.
My next step is to get underneath and see if I can isolate a hose that's leaking down there, if that seems to be the case I'll replace and go from there. If not, I'm assuming this is a sign of bad radiator that needs replacing? They're not incredibly expensive and I think I can do it myself, but don't want to jump to that if that's not the issue.
So I'm asking if my logic sounds good, if I should take other steps/look at other things before or after these steps, or any other thoughts you might have... I don't know much about inner workings of the radiator of if this is normal behavior for a bad one.
Thanks!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 15, 2018, 5:31 PM
Post #2 of 4
(1296 views)
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Re: 1999 Mercury Mountaineer Radiator Leak?
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You aren't even slightly sure it's a radiator issue alone just that it blew out coolant not surprising for overheating for any reason coolant is low if only not filling it properly.
Now whatever "leak-stop" junk is in there is going to confuse finding out the real problem. How about remove thermostat and a lower hose and flush the garbage out so you can pressure test it what and where is leaking.
You may have added a head gasket job to this it came on quickly so it seems as any leak would then the damage can kick in I suggest you find out if so.
All the YouTube shows on a subject are fine just they aren't your exact vehicle or tests to yours is what counts.
So that's my suggestion is flush out the sealer and pressure test it even cold and look for the leak up to if tricky ruling in or out head and intake type gaskets and parts. IDK, some V8's you didn't say which if more than one type have plastic intakes and crack nothing will fix that except new.
Right now just see if oil is too full or milky with water or coolant mix is what always belongs in it a strong clue you have more than you'll probably want to take on at least pay for a diagnosis but wouldn't be driving it anymore till known then fixed,
T
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Snapper
New User
Oct 18, 2018, 10:51 PM
Post #3 of 4
(1216 views)
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Re: 1999 Mercury Mountaineer Radiator Leak?
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I realize my mistake with the leak-stop now, but sincerely, thanks for pointing that out. Seems so obviously a bad idea in retrospect.
You nailed the problem exactly. Got underneath removed cover and could see crack clearly on intake. Thanks very much for the help.
(This post was edited by Snapper on Oct 18, 2018, 10:55 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 19, 2018, 2:02 AM
Post #4 of 4
(1204 views)
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Re: 1999 Mercury Mountaineer Radiator Leak?
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There's just no magic in a can stuff but it sure sells well. That has to go and be flushed out but now if real sure you really can't test for more wrong very well till it's tight enough to pressure check. Fussy job, many are. Use antifreeze mix this or any not plain water. Try hard not to break a ton of other things if you take this on yourself a lot has to get out of the way,
T
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