JohnSKepler
Active Member
So, I didn't just think, "It's time to flush my radiator..." I wish I was that current with maintenance but I'm not. In fact, the water pump on my 2014 Limited (~20K miles) was leaking out the weep hole. I picked up a new waterpump and decided to just exchange the fluid and do a flush while I was at it. I went to my local Ford Dealer and got the correct flush and fluid for my 2014 Limited.
I performed the flush as indicated, removed the old water pump, and installed the new water pump. I was surprised how easy it was. I hadn't changed a water pump on a Ford since my old '66 Mustang with a 289. That was a real pain since it required getting all the old gasket compound off the block. This one, with the o-ring, went really quick.
I then refilled the system with distilled water and the Ford antifreeze. Everything seemed fine but I kept smelling fluid. I rinsed the engine compartment several times to wash away any old coolant that might be baking off. Kept smelling it and even started getting drips on the garage floor. I had a bit of trouble finding the source until I realized it wasn't leaking from the front of the engine at all, but from the back.
Upon crawling under and inspecting I found the bottom of the bell housing with a sheen of fluid and a few small drips hanging on. It's kind of hard to tell where it might be coming from but the lower, rear edge of the head gasket was definitely wet. Specifically, that little flat corner that sticks out. Dang. I've successfully done head gaskets before but I don't have the time or the back these days.
It running completely normal, definitely not hot, both the oil and the radiator fluid look fine so I've not yet breached the blood-brain, er, water-oil barrier, but I am definitely losing fluid, seeing drips, and smelling that yummy smell.
So my question: Why would a pump replacement and flush cause a head gasket leak? Is there somewhere else it might be leaking from under the coolant overflow or maybe heater hoses that's running down off the back of the engine? Any fluid will pick any crease and edge to drip down.
Thoughts?
I performed the flush as indicated, removed the old water pump, and installed the new water pump. I was surprised how easy it was. I hadn't changed a water pump on a Ford since my old '66 Mustang with a 289. That was a real pain since it required getting all the old gasket compound off the block. This one, with the o-ring, went really quick.
I then refilled the system with distilled water and the Ford antifreeze. Everything seemed fine but I kept smelling fluid. I rinsed the engine compartment several times to wash away any old coolant that might be baking off. Kept smelling it and even started getting drips on the garage floor. I had a bit of trouble finding the source until I realized it wasn't leaking from the front of the engine at all, but from the back.
Upon crawling under and inspecting I found the bottom of the bell housing with a sheen of fluid and a few small drips hanging on. It's kind of hard to tell where it might be coming from but the lower, rear edge of the head gasket was definitely wet. Specifically, that little flat corner that sticks out. Dang. I've successfully done head gaskets before but I don't have the time or the back these days.
It running completely normal, definitely not hot, both the oil and the radiator fluid look fine so I've not yet breached the blood-brain, er, water-oil barrier, but I am definitely losing fluid, seeing drips, and smelling that yummy smell.
So my question: Why would a pump replacement and flush cause a head gasket leak? Is there somewhere else it might be leaking from under the coolant overflow or maybe heater hoses that's running down off the back of the engine? Any fluid will pick any crease and edge to drip down.
Thoughts?