Common Ford 4.0 SOHC Coolant Leak Fix 

Just bought a 2004 ford explorer. Had it for about a month. Today all my antifreeze started leaking out and I thought I had a serious issue. After finding your video I'm very relieved that I have the same exact problem and confirmed it. Will have it fixed tomorrow! A like is not enough, thank you very much for this video!

Thank You Sir, you saved me a ton of money and grief, my 2004 started leaking coolant, everybody I took it to ,it was misdiagnosed ,some said the water pump, some said the head gasket was blown ect. same story everywhere I took it , finally today I saw this video and I'm no mechanic, but this looked like something I could do and wala, I fixed it myself and now running like new again, thank you so much, you are the man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My daughter has a 2007 Explorer that has the same problem with the thermostat housing leaking. I recently replaced the radiator that was cracked below the expansion tank, and while that greatly improved things, coolant is still puddling in between the intakes. This video was very helpful and I am ordering the repair part today. I sincerely appreciate your video. RU-vid has changed the world for sure.

fantastic video, saved me a ton of time and money since I didnt have to take my 2010 explorer to a mechanic. You are the man, thanks a bunch!

Just replaced mine with one off Amazon $24 included, thermostat, sensor and shipping. Took about an hour. Attach lower hose first then seat. Makes it easier.

Thank you so much this is a fix a can definitely do solo. You saved me a trip to the mechanic. I got it for $40 !

🔥🔥🔥FYI🔥🔥🔥 That 9/16" O'Ring had me driving to the Canadian Tire at 830 on a Saturday Night, because my replacement didn't come with one and the original was flatten. Make sure your kit has one before leaving your auto parts store

Thanks Brian. I wish I would have looked this up a long time ago. You nailed it. Had this issue with my 2008 Explorer. I suspected a leak a year ago but so slow I could never find it. Car finally overheated big time. Even with full coolant reservoir, radiator turned out to be bone dry. Will go with the metal replacement or a much better plastic aftermarket!

This was spot on for the issue I was having. Ordered the part online for about $50. Comes with a new thermostat in it. It was a very easy part to replace. The good thing is the radiator drain plug at the bottom passenger side is easy to turn to drain the antifreeze out before pulling the hoses off. Also, people make sure that the surface where it attaches to the block is clean or it will not seal properly. Also, replace the O ring on the temperature sensor before putting it in the new part. It actually fixed more issues than I thought I was having. My shifting is now smoothed out and the A/C is actually running much cooler. Thank you for a great video!

Thank You for the video. I do have to say you have a lot more room than I do. My air plenum and throttle body are right on top of it. There's almost no room to get the clamps off. Hair pulling type of job but doable. 2004 Sport Trac XLT

Awesome video brother man I know those engines are also in the rangers and v6 mustangs I don't know why though I was just more focused on the clarity of your video super clear looks good and very informational👌🏽👍🏽

The simple videos are always the best, thanks brother ✌️

Great video saved me a lot of time trying to find my leak replaced it and everything is good now!!

I'm a few hundred miles away from home. Bout to replace this part. Thank you for your video.

Thanks for the video I have a 2003 Ford Explorer V6 139,000 miles. After watching went out and squeezed my upper radiator hose and sure enough I could hear the housing hiss from a small leak. I will be replacing this weekend with the Dorman Brand you mentioned.

Thank you, this is been driving me crazy!

This JUST happened to me. I’m sitting in the truck now trying to find out what happened. Thanks for the help.

Very helpful. Thank you Brian.

Thanks so much for this. Super helpful!

Thanks for the video! I traced my leak to the back of this housing and wanted to see how common this problem was

2008 ford explorer, already replaced thermostat/housing after the thermostat broke. And replaced the coolant tank (had a crack) then drove for maybe 100 miles and sprung a leak somewhere new, seems towards the back of the engine.

mine took a shit on me today, thank you so god damn much for the video. it helps more than you think

A burnt sweet smell is what we have! Look out for that smell and odds are this is your problem! Thank you! 2007 ford explorer 93k miles!

This saved my day!

this video helped me - also the metal unit is $39 on rockauto now!!

Thanks for the vid 👍

Thank you! Saved me money

all these motor companies, keep using cheaper and cheaper products, while charging more for the vehicles. and it you have issues later on, and they are common, it is greatly difficult to get them to be held accountable. And, these cheap parts are strangely usually very expensive (over priced) Just ridiculous, the whole thing... cars today are a scam.

The fact that in any type of organization, company, corporation would let a component/product of this horribly calculated magnitude out of the brainstorming room or ever get multiple people agreeing that this design is/or ever was a good idea dampens my soul, and view on humanity. Actually mainly my view on Ford vehicles

Good. Mine leaking and can't find were at. So will look there. Thank you

Had exactly the same thing happened to my 2006 Ford Exploder the plastic failed and it leaked exactly in the same places. Come one really they couldn't make it out of aluminum or an alloy or even carbon fiber geez. Oh and I subscribed to your channel.

Thanks so much i swear i thought i was tripping

Helpful thanks man

Nice video do u have one of the steps to taking this apart to get to this part im having same trouble with my explorer same spot there is coolant but i cant diagnose exactly where its coming from..but from this video its in the same spot as yours

Rockauto sell rt1220 in aluminium one piece as a replacement of this housing

I think i have same issue! Whew. Maybe i dont have to drive it into the river and report it stolen!

You are the Best!!

2005 mustang 4.0 i have a similar problem its leaking from there seems it is from the midle of this part you showing, but when i start the car and the temperature gauge is in the middle, it begins to leak from the end of the ac/(hot) Duct/tube sorry for my english is bad but i really need some help

This is why ford has such a good track record.They never recall anything.Let's not forget about the 5- speed auto they put in these.

I replaced one of these with a Dorman... it also failed after about 3 months. But I bought it off of Amazon and it was under warranty so they sent a new one which has lasted 4 years or so however the thermostat included failed after 2 years.

Don't wait for no heat, check coolant level as you would oil level and other fluids.

Thanks. This is indeed a poorly designed part. It should have been made of steel or aluminum. It took about 20 minutes to change out. I think this is the second time I've had to do it in 5 years. At least it's not too difficult to do. The most difficult part is getting the clamps off. The only other thing you would need to know is that you need to remove the electric sensor from your old unit and plug it into the new unit and you need to use the cotter pin from the old unit as well. You can also get these from AutoZone Advance Auto Parts and O'Reilly Auto Parts. They usually will have at least one in stock. But Rock Auto is great if you have the time.

I have 2004 Sport Trac have replaced or once last year and now I'm loosing antifreeze again.. well be checking this first....

This part caused my engine to overheat...now I have a blown head gasket...thanks Ford for making America great again

Thank you.

2002 4.0 ranger, leaking below the radiator plastic cover/tray thing near where the cooler lines go in. Is the lower radiator seal failing? Truck is not seeing much use and has been sitting for a few months.

I have an 04 ford sport trac.. mine is leaking where the therm housing meets the cylinder head. Any idea if this could still be the therm housing or an I looking at a head gasket?

Alright. I feel so fucking stupid. I have been under my sport trac for over 3 hours now checking every seal and and hose and anything that might have cracked. Then i get desperate and. Come to youtube and i find this. Fucking life saver

I have the same problem but its leaking from where the sensor is can I change the whole housing or fix only the sensor?

Great video but I do have a question. When you discovered the leak was there any coolant on the ground underneath the vehicle or was it just in the engine compartment like you showed us in video. Please advise. Thanks

Which way to turn to undo the bolts on the bottom housing unit??

Good video, why 2 temperature sensor ???

Mines slowly dripping out the thermostat housing under 20psi pressure tester, but pouring out the bottom left, would it be the thermostat only? Can’t see any other leaks

Does anyone have links for replacement?

Great video! Can you help me locate the metal one piece thermostat housing you mentioned? Can't find one.

Que pena no tienen un vídeo de como reemplazar el houseng del termostato en una Ford Explorer 1998 . Ningunos de los vídeo pertenecen a mi auto. Liguea en la base del houseng. Si es posible un vídeo se lo agradecería. Gracias

2002 sport trac 4x4. Getting oil in antifreeze slowly but not getting antifreeze in oil. Suggestions ?

Thanks for this, hopefully good karma for you for sharing this with the world

Does this also apply to the 2nd Gen's 4.0L SOHC?

I just changed water pump in my 2003 ford explorer thinking that was it. Cuz water was coming from by it. But nope its something else thats close to it that i need figure out

Hey also what if engine leaks oil on rear end of engine on right side and causes smoke from oil burning on manifold

Anybody know how much a shop will charge for this? I also heard you should replace with aluminium part. Any help?

Since 2003 had to replace it 4 times!!! 2003 sport trac

did this issue cause the vehicle to smoke at all? or smell burnt? having an issue with my 2002 ranger. it was parked a month ago. put a new alternator in it today and noticed it had no coolant at all. replaced alternator, filled the radiator and reservoir. drove it and it immediately smelled like something burning and moderately had some white smoke from under the hood. smoke went away after a few minutes but still smelled burnt. drove for 40 minutes and when getting it back home started to smoke again. checked and didn't seem to lose any coolant. thoughts?

I have a 99 exploder and I'll have to replace the housing or thermostat and hopefully just the thermostat with a bad gasket

I have an 07 mustang same thermostat housing and engine. I got the car 7 years ago and I have to get a new one every year 🙄 I’m going to just get an aluminum one now

Could you reply to this comment with the part number for the thermostat housing please?

I fixed that and there’s still a small leak coming from under the fan wheel mount area I’m a novice do you know the name of that area and what I could possibly do to fix it cheaply? I unfortunately live in the car and it’s all I have. thank you for your time.

My leak is right below the passengers seat. I'm hoping this will fix the issue since I cannot locate the leak.

2006 mustang 4 liter.leaking coolant.cant find where is coming from.its dripping on to starter.

Hi, Is there any risk to Engine (Mercury Mountaineer 2008) or any other part if delay in replacement? Thanks in advance for your response

Mine i guess came unglued from that part you said is glued, can I just glue it back together ??

I have a 1999 Ford explorer. Runs great BUT I had it leak ALL my antifreeze out. Idk what to do...so damn expensive to look into

The first mistake we made guys is buying a ford ..these things leak pretty quick sometimes not all of these leak slow . I'm replacing one again 3 in 5 years replace asap cause the longer you wait the more they will leak keep a chk on it even after you replace it they don't last long.

Did your check engine light come on?

That's exactly what happened to mine yesterday man. What's that part called? It's not overheating or leaking water in the floorboards

How about it was dumping coolant randomly out the exhaust and then started at the front on the engine. My problem it’s black oil mixed with coolant. I just had a oil change? But there’s coolant in the engine yes just with black oil.

It would have been nice in your video what the part is called is it the thermostat housing? I have to know when I want to go buy the part or order it online.

Brian What is the name of the part on this video ? I have a 2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT with the same leak and would like to buy the metal replacement part Thanks

My ranger is leaking water on passenger side by firewall, cant trace it. Any answers

I know this video was a really long time ago but i have this same engine and i replaced this part and the puddle is still in the same area and eventually leaks onto the ground. Coolant level dropped a bit but not drastically enough to over heat. thanks if anyone sees this 2005 explorer xlt 4.0

What is this part called please

Amazing Amazon has it for under 50$ buck all aluminum with sensor but no thermostat Free information

Hey does any one know why a box like material is behind where the part where coolant is leaking from

This happens and then head gasket blows on overheat. Super common.

My part was mess up just like this but now the hoes is leaking the one going to radiator

Do you have the part number?

Buy the aluminum replacement. Don't think the temp sensors are universal. Connectors aredifferent.

Was leaking coolant from the bottom of radiator and it stopped

Go to a junk yard I got one for 20$ and it works perfect

Need to no how to change heater hose line on top of MTR

What was the part number?

Anyone know the name of this part

Were do i find the whole piece in metal?

What’s the part called?

these parts are notorious for leaking this whole 1:00 thing is plastic this is all 1:24 plastic this is a three piece unit there's 1:59 three plastic fins right here there's a 2:02 rubber what should be like a rubbery 2:07 gasket it's like rock hard and then 2:11 there's three fins here I think this universal part fits on 2:46 other models too so one of these two 2:49 goes for your sensor that is the outlet 2:55 and that goes into the engine block down 2:57 here and yeah this thing is just ninety 3:02 probably ninety percent of the four 3:04 liter engines a leak they 3:49 make metal replacements i really suggest 3:51 going for the middle one if you can 3:53 afford it but it's about a hundred and 3:55 seventy bucks it's a Dorman part I watched to the end twice, and still can't figure out what part this is. I want to order a new one, but what is it? I showed this clip to the clerk and he said "Tell me what it is, and I'll order you one." It's a 3 piece unit. It's a Doorman part They make metal replacements Jeeze, it's ok, I'll find a engine schematic instead. You went through all this trouble to help, why didn't you just say what you got to replace this coolant intersection?

Some sound would be wonderful.... Mike and the wife from you tube??? Whisper, someone might hear you

I have wear noise on 2004 ford sport truck can't fine closer to 4.0plastic shoh on bottom look inside spire!!! You now guys where come from...

Can coolant leak into oil from water pump

I have replaced mine twice, and guess what it still leaks! Poor design and materials used by Ford.