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The crossover tube (if that is what you call it) for the heads is leaking on my car. It is the coolant tube that the top radiator hose goes to. I have taken it apart (not an easy task) and it has little metal gaskets, and that is it. Where the hell do I get these? Can you use something else? Why does this need metal gaskets? Is it under that much pressure? I would hate to do this twice and I have the car all apart now. I thought it would be good to do this while the weather warmed up, but it is only going to last till tomorrow. Then back to 29 degrees as a high. Anyone that has done this job, I am looking for all the info I can get. Thanks in advance.
Thanks for the help guys. I got it together and it seems to be ok. Hard to really tell since antifreeze is everywhere from taking it apart. I couldn't see anything seeping, though. I will drive it for the next week or two and see if the overflow tank goes down. Thanks, again.
Hey,
First time posting, long time browsing.
2002 3.5 SE here with 170,000km
I noticed a puddle of something underneath the where the throttle body is and right below/beside the rear valve cover.
I replaced my front and rear covers along with the plugs less than 5,000km ago.
My coolant reservoir tank has slowly been draining itself in some way. It was topped to max about 10,000km ago and is now close to empty.
Would love some extra input
Here are four photos showing the same thing, it's challenging to get it lit and in focus.
Just ran into the same issue that "extrememom" has, not sure if the head gasket is blown or the cross over tube is leaking. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Help please...in the middle of replacing the gaskets on driver side of car of this pipe. The trans dipstick is in the way and it appears I have to also disconnect the pipe way at the other end where it attaches on passenger side of car near oil dipstick. I can't take the crossover pipe off the bolts since it's restricted, or so it seems.
Correct? Any other pointers?
Last edited by MichMaxFan; 04-01-2017 at 06:16 PM.
you have to basically remove the entire thing in so many words. I had to replace the same gasket a few months ago and had to remove the 4 bolts that go to the head, and unbolt the 10mm screw from the transmission dipstick to get more room, and also that large wire harness near the heater hoses has to be unbolted. Next you will have to remove the 2 10mm bolts on the long coolant pipes in front of the radiator and slide them out. After that u will be able to remove the whole thing near the heads. I replaced mine because it was rusty on the outside.
maxinout93, that's close to what I had to do. I waited for a reply on here but just had to get it done and went with my gut. For anyone w/ a 2000, you'll probably have to do what maxinout said, but I didn't remove my pipe fully, just enough to clean it a bit and fit in the new gaskets. It was tight space, for sure.
Loosened 10mm? bolt holding in trans dipstick tube so it could rotate to allow crossover pipe to come out a bit.
I disconnected only the top pipe in frt of rad, left bottom installed but disconnected the short 90 degree hose on the end of it to help as well. Disconnect most electrical connections but the coolant temp sensor ones that are in the pipe I was able to leave alone.
Had to pull thermostat hat off since the hose on it kept the crossover pipe from pulling out and the clamp on the hose was not accessible since it was facing downward. Re-oriented clamp on hose to help in future service. Installed new thermostat, since gasket is not sold separately.
Certainly not a fun project. Took me way too long, just figuring out what NOT to disconnect that wasn't necessary.
Was it necessary to drain coolant in order to perform the repairs ?
Originally Posted by MichMaxFan
maxinout93, that's close to what I had to do. I waited for a reply on here but just had to get it done and went with my gut. For anyone w/ a 2000, you'll probably have to do what maxinout said, but I didn't remove my pipe fully, just enough to clean it a bit and fit in the new gaskets. It was tight space, for sure.
Loosened 10mm? bolt holding in trans dipstick tube so it could rotate to allow crossover pipe to come out a bit.
I disconnected only the top pipe in frt of rad, left bottom installed but disconnected the short 90 degree hose on the end of it to help as well. Disconnect most electrical connections but the coolant temp sensor ones that are in the pipe I was able to leave alone.
Had to pull thermostat hat off since the hose on it kept was it necessary to drain coolant in order to perform repair?
the crossover pipe from pulling out and the clamp on the hose was not accessible since it was facing downward. Re-oriented clamp on hose to help in future service. Installed new thermostat, since gasket is not sold separately.
Certainly not a fun project. Took me way too long, just figuring out what NOT to disconnect that wasn't necessary.
Was it necessary to drain coolant in order to perform the repairs ?
Its not required to drain it, but it will reduce the spilling that occurs when you open the system up. I replaced my upper rad hose so I drained the fluid. I still lost some when disconnecting the pipe from the block because it's on the other side of the thermostat in the system. The thermostat will prevent some from the engine from draining when you drain the radiator but that same fluid spills out when you open the gasket joint and crosspipes, etc.
I have been known to reuse fluid that is not old by simply draining into a clean container and using a coffee filter when pouring back in. Takes time, but saves coolant.
Need to remove pipe to clean it better. Can't get electrical connections off on the two at the front end of the pipe. How? The standard grey and green is stuck. The green thing is pushed down and locks down but the plug won't come off. The other skinny one I have no idea.
Can I use any electrical parts cleaner on the stuck connection? I have some crc electric parts cleaner.
The other connection is stumping me.
Last edited by MichMaxFan; 07-12-2018 at 05:47 PM.
I believe those are temp sensors, one going to the ECM, the other one goes to dash gauge.
I’m imagining u could take the sensor out by hex nut on there of the plug is stuck. You could also clean it wiTh that cleaner you have. I’ve used that a lot on electrical connector
How oh how does the skinny black one come off? The other is the grey which is a standard plug which I have soaking on cleaner in hopes of getting that off.
But the black one??? I'm searching fsm and nothing so far. If I take a wrench to it then the wires will twist and that would bring issues.
I ended up getting some crc 2-26 lubricant earlier today and couldn't use it until this afternoon. Worked pretty good to loosen up the connector. Still took effort but works good now. Just didnr feel comfortable with the other cleaner in the picture for the electronic connections.
As far as the black one, I took a 12mm flare wrench and took it off. The wires twisted a little but not bad like I thought they would. Still don't know how to take it off without wrenching it fully out of the pipe.
Cleaned up the crossover pipe. Reinstalled with gasket and rtv black. Curing now. Hoping it holds forever!!
Last edited by MichMaxFan; 07-13-2018 at 04:55 PM.
I had this problem a few weeks back. All I did was tighten it. About a half turn on every nut that would turn and the problem went away. Was mostly on the side closest to the crash wall.
Last edited by rodent_infested_03; 07-14-2018 at 05:28 PM.
Rodent: I didn't think of tightening it, but mine all came off like the nuts were torqued properly. Nothing loose.
Found your posts on your leak. Didn't realize your leak was simular to mine. But I'm curious now because...my gaskets have two holes in them that go over the mounting bolts. There is no way for it to slip out of location like others have thought yours did. Slip? I don't see that possible. Incorrectly installed, yes. But it can't dislodge. Mine was just a plain 'ok leak.
I would be watchful of your gasket. My guess is sombody didn't realize it was not installed right.
Nah it's fine. Not all gaskets follow the exact shape of the part that it's sealing off. One of my picture shows the head gasket sticking out. That's not falling out it's just the shape. This is what the gasket looks like
12-11-2010, 07:27 PM
