2005 Lincoln Ls Coolant leak that I can't find :/

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christopherrsee

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So every time I replace a cooling system part it works for about a month, than I have a new leak and have to replace another part. I have replaced the degas bottle, thermostat and housing(twice), dccv valve, and various hoses.
Now it is leaking worst than ever and I can't find out where it's coming from. I can't see the leak or signs of leaking from the under the hood. Coolant is dripping off the very bottom of the car, towards the back of the engine, right next to the cat (passenger side). Any idea what could possibly be leaking now? Any advice in the right direction would be awesome.

2005 Lincoln Ls V8
 
Behind the coolant outlet pipe (aka thermostat housing) is a plastic 90° elbow. It is known to crack and leak. Also, the hose that runs from the throttle body to under the intake manifold could be the problem.
 
I was going to mention the inlet tube but he said it's leaking at the back of the engine so I assumed that wasn't the case.
 
nelliott500 said:
I was going to mention the inlet tube but he said it's leaking at the back of the engine so I assumed that wasn't the case.
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I think that a crack in the back of the tube might spray under the intake manifold and come out the back, but I don't know for sure. Probably christopherrsee will have the take the intake manifold off and take a look. While doing so, I would replace the elbow and the small coolant hose even if those aren't the source of the leak (yet).
 
Good point. It's always possible and it's even fairly likely just due to the fact that it's such a common issue.
 
Are you sure it's coolant and not condensation from the A/C? The area you described is where the condensation tube empties.
 
It is for sure coolant and not condensation. It wasn't any hoses or inlet that I could see so I broke down and took it to a mechanic. He tells me the leak is not under the hood, but it's coming from behind the firewall and it would be better if I took it to a dealership to have them find out what it is. He said he clamped off the hoses to the heater core so he didn't think it was that. Is there anything else it could be or is it most likely the heater core?
 
christopherrsee said:
It is for sure coolant and not condensation. It wasn't any hoses or inlet that I could see so I broke down and took it to a mechanic. He tells me the leak is not under the hood, but it's coming from behind the firewall and it would be better if I took it to a dealership to have them find out what it is. He said he clamped off the hoses to the heater core so he didn't think it was that. Is there anything else it could be or is it most likely the heater core?
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The only thing behind the firewall with coolant in it is the heater core. Do you have a sweet or antifreeze smell inside the cabin? Do you ever see fog coming out of the vents?

Was this a Ford or Lincoln dealer? I wouldn't go back if the "mechanic" really thought that it was behind the firewall but was not the heater cores.
 
When the car started to overheat fog and coolant smell came from the vents. I've only driven a couple times since than, but I've made sure the coolant was full and bled so it didn't run hot at all, and haven't smelt it or seen fog those couple times.
I made an appointment with the ford dealership for tomorrow and they said it would be about 50 bucks for them to find out exactly whats leaking. They also said it sounds like the heater core and it will run 150 for parts and 500 for labor. Are there any good directions on changing the heater core or is that something I should let them do?
 
christopherrsee said:
When the car started to overheat fog and coolant smell came from the vents. I've only driven a couple times since than, but I've made sure the coolant was full and bled so it didn't run hot at all, and haven't smelt it or seen fog those couple times.
I made an appointment with the ford dealership for tomorrow and they said it would be about 50 bucks for them to find out exactly whats leaking. They also said it sounds like the heater core and it will run 150 for parts and 500 for labor. Are there any good directions on changing the heater core or is that something I should let them do?
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Wow, if they'll replace the heater core for $650, get it in writing and jump on it right away. That's a bargain. The whole dash has to come out and the AC system has to be discharged and recharged to change out the heater core.
 
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