Rock Trac - 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4x4

[TxPlates]

It's leaking oil out if that main pulley coming out of the motor, I think we did out a new radiator hose. Maybe just be not fully seated.

[Kris Guilbeaux]

If it's from the harmonic balancer we can replace that seal no prob. And if it is the oil pan it's ok we have room to replace it with the motor in the truck just have to unbolt the new crossmember and drop the pan.

[TxPlates]

Sweet.

[TxPlates]

Front drive shaft is finally installed.

[KF5ZXT]

Finally, the Trac is 4x4! Nice job.

[TxPlates]

Well now we have yet another set back. Got the drive shaft installed, started it up AND now large clouds of smoke coming from the drivers side of the engine. I can't tell what exactly it's coming from.

[TxPlates]

Going to take it up to a shop tomorrow to a guy I've known through work that owns a body shop and has done mechanical work etc. So we'll see tomorrow what it is and if she's gonna be ready for the trip on nov 30th.

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Please keep me informed on what's going on

[KF5ZXT]

Gotta say, it sounds like a head gasket. Those aren't too bad with the 4.0's, hopefully similar on the 5.0.

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Yes but white smoke off the side of the motor isn't going to be a head gasket. Unless it has an exhaust leak. Head gaskets leaks cause coolant to be burnt through the motor causing white smoke out the tail pipe. Or, coolant is passing through to the oil and mixing and making chocolate milk. Also this would loss of compression on two or more cylinders making the motor run poorly. None of these things match what Parker has told me. So I'm not thinking head gasket plus the 5.0 is not prone to Head gasket failure like the 4.0 is

[TxPlates]

I'm wondering if the coolant leak from that large hose is somehow drooping on the motor causing it. No smoke out of the tailpipe, and it's not running rough. Hopefully it's a simple fix, we'll find out today.

[TxPlates]

Took it up to my friends shop, we let it run for a while and no smoke. It's definitely leaking at both ends radiator hose going from the motor into the bottom of the radiator. He said most likely when I as fiddling with the hose it sprayed some coolant onto the motor and caused it. I'm guessing just the clamps for the hose on both ends are worn out, so I'll get some new ones and swap'em out. I do need to grind off a useless bolt that appears it's going to get in the way of the power steering line when the motor flexes (the bolt is coming out of the bottom left hand side of the compressor. Other than that, he said it sounded like it was running fine to him.

[KF5ZXT]

Oh, so basically you're just the equivalent of an over-protective daddy with his first born?

[TxPlates]

I guess so.

[Kris Guilbeaux]

See I told ya it didn't sound like a head gasket