water leak

[wasim]

I have coolant leaking at the back of the AU2 XR8 - any clues?

Thanks, Wasim

[falconhell74]

possible welch plug behind the trans on back of engine block

[wasim]

That means the removal of the motor to fix or is there a couple of tricks I could try first?

Thanks

[undertow]

Heater tap, they are plastic and go brittle

Coolant leaks from the water pump/timing cover area can also run along the sump rails and show up at the back

[falconhell74]

Get your hands on a pressure tester this way you will be able to find it easier.
If it is the welch plug behind the trans then its a trans removal.

[wasim]

Thanks for the replies - water pump and heater tap has already been replaced - so I guess its a trans out job now.

[falconhell74]

Like I said previously I would pressure test the system first as you dont want to drop the trans if you dont have to. its possibly a back welch plug on side of block running back then dripping , unless you can see the coolant coming out between bell housing and block ?
Good luck they are a pain to drop in a drive way.

[XC50077]

There is no welsh plug in behind the bell housing area of a Windsor excluding the camshaft bore rear plug which seals oil only. I would check the heater valve and hoses, rear end of inlet manifold as well as any welsh plug if fitted to rear of heads. Hoses can have a tendency to leak at the onset of colder weather as the rubber contracts and loses a little flexibility.
Cheers

[Edxr6]

XC50077,

I have the same problem, coolant leaking from between the block and bellhousing, there is conflicting information about the 220 Windsor’s having the welsh plug at the rear of the block. Recently Ford had confirmed there is a welsh plug at the rear, however some members on the forum aren’t convinced. Can someone please confirm and provide some type of factual evidence.

Regardss

[Sar4890]

Gents,
I wandered out into the shed to look at a 5.0 efi windsor out of i believe a f truck sitting on an engine stand and it apears to have a large brass plug of the same construction as the plugs on the sides of the block but larger. It is surrounded by screw in plugs could this be your culprit?

[XC50077]

The large welch plug in the rear, centre of the block seals the camshaft bore, the other screw in plugs are the oil gallery plugs.
Coolant running down rear between cyl head and block could be a small leak from the intake manifold.
Cheers

[undertow]

I've always had good luck finding coolant leaks with my hands. Feel around any suspect areas (especially botton of hoses near connections) then look for coolant on your fingers. A bright LED flashlight is good too as it makes the green dye stick out like dogs balls.

[Edxr6]

Originally Posted by Edxr6

XC50077,

I have the same problem, coolant leaking from between the block and bellhousing, there is conflicting information about the 220 Windsor’s having the welsh plug at the rear of the block. Recently Ford had confirmed there is a welsh plug at the rear, however some members on the forum aren’t convinced. Can someone please confirm and provide some type of factual evidence.

Regardss

Finally found my water leak, I know it’s been a while. It was slowly seeping from inside the timing chain case running along the top of the sump where it bolts up to the block then dripped down the front of the bell housing thinking I had the leak between the gear box and engine. I was baffled because there was no welsh plug at the rear of the engine. So I just put up with leak, even after I had it pressure tested, they didn’t pick it up. It wasn’t until my mechanic said he located a water leak when changing my valve springs, after recently one had cracked on my 220, which I believe is a common problem with 220’s.