2001 LINC-TOWNCAR EXEC (130k miles). COOLANT LEAK AT THERMOSTAT HOUSING.oN
What is your question?
On this 2001 Town Car, I'm experiencing a coolant leak which has gone from trivial a few months ago to SIGNIFICANT requiring "top offs" of coolant prior to any excursion with the vehicle. The radiator appears fine - although a good flush is due. There is a leak on the front-facing side of the thermostat housing just below the upper air intake manifold. The Check Engine light does come on but the OBDC codes are for an ignition key issue, and the engine sounds normal. QUESTION FOR THE DIY'ers: One post suggested a time frame of about five hours to replace the intake manifold. What's the complexity level of such an undertaking and are there any "pitfalls" or "gotcha's" one should be aware of going into this? A day's labor and a $200-ish part is a whole lot more tolerable right now than a $1000 - $2100 shop bill.
What makes this problem better or worse?
Use. It's progressively getting worse. The coolant top offs are getting larger and larger.
How long has your 2001 Lincoln Town Car had this problem?
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You definitely need to replace that composite intake manifold.
"Warranty" time is 3.1 hours.
I would strongly recommend getting the step by step procedures to doing this job by investing in a workshop manual of some kind. Too many steps to list here. But it's not a quickie.
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I always replace the heater hose hiding under the intake manifold while it’s off..
Just good preventive install.
*Hands-on* assistance from an auto repair savvy friend is always welcome..
Good luck!
⚠️ Careful not to let ‘anything’ fall into cylinder head the intake ports while doing repair ⚠️