Quick cooling system question

[jacks3am]

We have a 93 aerostar with a 3.0 engine and latley it was loosing coolant. it was leaking but we cant find out where from. we did a pressure test and found out that it actually becomes over pressurized!

also before we put the tester on, it was bubbling out of the radiator neck.

is it a blown head gasket?

 

[sgtowing]

i doubt it. if its comming out of the radiator neck, its probably a bad cap. it wont leak just sitting there or when it is cold but when the engine warms up and builds pressure, the cap can't hold all the pressure and some leaks out. usually like steam so no puddles. what do you mean over pressureized. that would only happen if there is a blockage.

 

[FtLaudBlkGT]

Couple of things:
As stated above, the cap has a rubber seal that dries out and allows water to evaporate.

Building up pressure could be an issue with the thermostat, is it original? If so, replace it.

 

[JUST4FUN]

if ther isair bubbling out of the rad with no cap on then i would say its the head gasket. overheating cancause this too the aerostar had a fan clutch, take a rolled up newspaper and (when hot/ overheating) stick it in the fan if the fan stops then the clutch is bad

 

[jacks3am]

yep it bubbles out when the cap IS NOT ON! Im thinking it could be a dirty radiator but really, all signs point to headgasket. not a big deal, we didnt pay much for it and we got 2 years out of it. TIME FOR VW TURBO!

 

[jimmi308]

sounds like a head gasket... ford v-6's known for it.... had a 4.0 ranger blow one... and of course the 3.8 sc from t-birds are notorious

 

[jacks3am]

I guess ford just dosent have good head gaskets and it sucks because the van only has like 120000 miles on it!