my explorer is burning a little bit of antifreeze.

Asked by matthewfriez Aug 18, 2011 at 11:41 AM about the 1992 Ford Explorer 4 Dr Eddie Bauer 4WD SUV

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Two weeks ago i replaced my spark plugs and wires put in a K&n air filter and did a full service a couple days later i took a short road trip and mu muffler fell off. now, my truck burned up one of the brand new plugs (i found it because it was idleing rough) and smells of burning anifreeze. I was going to change th head gasket but i took it to an e3xhaust shop and had them put in a full exhaust system. when i picked it up the next morning, the cooling system was still pressurized so what to do?

4 Answers

papa answered 12 years ago

pull out the 1 plug that fouled,crank over,see if collent sprays out.if so head gasket leak.if nothing.drive it.

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matthewfriez answered 12 years ago

I did that, nothing came out, but im adding a gallon of coolant (at least) every morning. water pump not leaking no smoke no wet spots just the smell and the ocasional rough idle and having to add coolant. I pulled the plug i replaced today and it looks good. Still not overheating on temp gauge, but i cant keep topping off the coolant thats expensive. i bought everything to do the job, just waiting til im confident it will fix the prob.

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papa answered 12 years ago

sounds like one of the head gaskets is blown on exhaust side of gasket.when you mentioned ocasional smell,that is a good sighn of head gasket faliure.

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50,705

John answered 10 years ago

A gallon a day? You better pull out your dip stick and make sure it is not a milky white mixture. Head gasket time for sure. No leaks underneath where you park it? Water pump clean? Another spot to look. How old is the pump? Maybe consider replacing it when you pull the heads. Cheapo insurance.

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