[TheKissOfDeath]

Hey everyone. Kris here again. The Green Beast of Burden (aka B.O.B.) runs, to my surprise, very smoothly. I have the odometer at 76k, (5digit), so, i'm guessing 176k or 276k. Anyway. Runs really strong, but here's my problem.

I start up the 'scort. Starts fine, no hesitation, nothing. But, about 1-5 minutes later, I start smelling coolant. I haven't found a leak anywhere. I know when I pulled the old trans out I spilled coolant, so could it be residue evaporating or something. Oil has NO water in it. Like I said, it runs smooth without problems, I just know that smelling coolant doesn't seem normal

Regards,
Kris

 

[juggalo]

inspect the O2 sensor. if it's white, u have internal leaks meaning ur head gasket is blown.

 

[Intuit]

What color is your coolant ?

Having an internal leak doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get white smoke, milkshake oil, running problems and the whole nine. The leak can start very small, and will be ejected out of the exhaust rather than end up in your oil pan.

Never had an external leak, but smelled coolant for roughly 1-2 years (initially intermittent) before servicing the head and headgasket. Had to add a little about every 2-6 months... more and more frequent towards the end.

Not saying this is definitely without a doubt your case, or that it is even likely, but just something to consider if you're absolutely 120% sure that there are no external leaks...

 

[denisond3]

My 92 had a slight smell of coolant for a year before the head gasket went. The leak was from the front corner of the block, and must have all run down hidden by the exhaust manifold. It was my sister-in-law's car at the time, so I didnt spend much time looking for the leak - and wouldnt have done anything different anyway. She kept driving it to work daily (30~ miles each way) until it blew out.
When I went to fix it for her, I found the headbolt at the front corner by the thermostat -- had snapped in two. And it looked like a very old break.


Later, when the tranny wore out, she gave me the car; my first Escort.


After the first time I put a 1.9L engine together, I was surprised that coolant leaks between the head and the intake manifold dont seem to be a problem, inspite of the two locations where the gasket for the intake manifold also seals off openings into the water jacket of the head.

 

[juggalo]

yeah mine has internal leaks due to the color of my old O2 sensor and i suspect my oil leaks comin from the head gasket onto the exhaust. there's no white smoke or milkshake oil and the coolant looks a bit spotty but it still runs just fine. so i'd say mine is slightly blown but i'll continue to drive it till she puffs out white smoke from the exhaust or when i get my other car runnin.

 

[TheKissOfDeath]

Coolant is green. Like normal. I don't have milkshake oil, which I think I've said before, and if my gasket is going out, I'll leave it and fix it when it blows.

 

[Intuit]

Well, only thing we can recommend is just to test the low-coolant sensor and make sure you check the level as needed.

 

[madmatt2024]

Do you only smell coolant inside the car? If so it could be that the heater core has a leak.

 

[Intuit]

Duh... that too... (at self)

 

[TheKissOfDeath]

It does smell a lot in the car, also, not knowing if this has anything to do with it, but, my AC blows hot air. hmmm. Anyway, it is quite strong in the car, but eh, I'll fix it eventually.

 

[madmatt2024]

Or when it blows and dumps coolant all over your engine computer (if it is the heater core that is.)

 

[TheKissOfDeath]

That's when I put the v6 from a Probe in there. xD

 

[madmatt2024]

You seem to have an answer for everything don't you.
You do know that that swap is the most difficult "bolt in" swap you can do right?

 

[TheKissOfDeath]

What, you saying I can't do it? xD

 

[madmatt2024]

No, its just that it is one of the most difficult swaps you can do into this chassis, far harder than a heater core replacement.

 

[TheKissOfDeath]

I just want a challenge and a fast car. Don't care what the OUTSIDE looks like, mine had dents EVERYWHERE, but, eh, I want a fast one. xD.

 

[juggalo]

listen to matt. he knows what he's talkin about. trust me, he's givin me advice that has worked many times.

 

[juggalo]

BTW, if u want a V6 in it, get one from a mazda mx3. it's a direct bolt on than the probe engine

 

[madmatt2024]

The MX3 V6 isn't worth it. It only makes 130HP. Basically, to do that swap in an Escort you need a whole MX3 V6 parts car plus the KLDE (Probe/MX6) or KLZE (Imported) and computer for said engine.

Personally, I would rather swap the engine into an MX3 and drive that.

 

[denisond3]

If you smell the coolant inside the car, I would disconnect the hoses to the heater as soon as possible. If its like my 2nd gen. LX, You can remove the two hoses that run to the firewall behind the engine, and connect their ends together. While "half-inch" copper pipe is a little bit small (its outside diameter being about 5/8"), a pair of screw clamps will easily squeeze the hoses down for a leak free connection.

Just dont let the metal parts touch the heavy terminal on the top of the starter.