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1999 Ford Windstar coolant leaks, smells

Tiny
PAZ411
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 154,000 MILES
A few months ago the van overheated at high speeds on the highway. Replaced the thermostat and it was okay for a while. Then it overheated again, noticed it was low on coolant, refilled it, couldn't find any leaks. Over the last few days, the coolant is leaking out at a faster rate, can't figure out from where exactly. I've just been refilling it with water. Today, after running for about 10 minutes, white, stinky smoke poured out of the dashboard vents. Checked on the coolant water, filled it up again, and noticed that it looked brown now and not clear like water. More like chocolate milk. I'm thinking its the head gasket. Looking to see if you had any other ideas or suggestions. Thanks.
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Sunday, June 13th, 2010 AT 9:46 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
The smell/steam out of the vents is an indicator of a bad heater core, this could have been caused by a bad head gasket which would explain the oil present in the cooling system. When a head gasket lets go the system pressures go up higher than normal and it can cause the heater core to leak. Have the cooling system chemical tested for the prescence of exhaust gasses, this will tell if the head gaskets are indeed blown
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Monday, June 14th, 2010 AT 4:14 PM

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