1989 Ford Escort Leaking coolant

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CFARRAR31
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Engine Cooling problem
1989 Ford Escort Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My 89 Escort Pony will run fine, and then when I shut off the engine, there is a gushing leak from underneath the car. It leaks coolant for for about a minute, and then stops completely.
Feb 7, 2010 at 12:02 PM
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2CARPRO JACK
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Sounds like it may be a water pump going bad.Sometimes they will only leak when the engine is running, and not when sitting.Look to see if it is coming from the front of the engine, if so it is most likely the water pump.May want to have the timing belt done at the same time if it hasnt been repalced, I cant tell if it is due, no mileage was added to your post
Feb 8, 2010 at 12:14 AM
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CFARRAR31
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I took the radiator cap of and started the car. The film in radiator looked to be making small circles, and sometimes bubbles came to the surface and popped. Could this still be a water pump? Also, it looked like it might be leaking from the radiator hose. The coolant looked to be coming from the connection were the hose connects to the bottom of the engine.

The mileage might be around 160,000.
Feb 9, 2010 at 8:20 AM
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2CARPRO JACK
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That is possibly a bad hose, but it is also part of the water pump.If the hose is original, replace it, then see if the leak is gone
Feb 9, 2010 at 10:43 PM
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