Gaskets/bolts when chasing a IC leak...

*Jay*

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Well gang I’m getting ready to finally pull my blower and locate my cold weather leak for my Supercharger coolant and want to make sure I get all the gaskets/hardware I need to do it right. Please take a look at my list and let me know if I am missing anything.

Here is the list of gaskets I have compiled so far:

GASKET WATER OUTLET Part#: 2R3Z9L438BA
GASKET INTAKE MANIFOLD Part#: 2R3Z9439AA x 2
GASKET SC BASE Part#: 2R3Z9H486AA
GASKET PLENUM Part#: 2R3Z9L437BB
GASKET THROTTLE BODY Part#: F7LZ9E936AA
INTERCOOLER O-RINGS PART NUMBER: *N802927*S

As for bolts I will be getting some more from Pro-Weld Performance but not sure if it’s worth it to go with the stud kits vice bolts again:

Blower to Lower Intake Manifold Bolt Kit
Blower Bottom to Intercooler Kit

http://proweldperformanceparts.com/id172.html

After having a dry garage all year from when I pulled my Cobra out of storage last spring the issue came back this winter once it started to get below freezing. Since I stored it at home this winter I was able to let it sit until I verified it was leaking somewhere from the SC system and not my engine cooling system. I still plan on pressure testing my engine cooling system but just haven’t gone to the parts store to rent a tester yet as its level has not changed all winter whereas the IC reservoir went dry..

I’m not 100% sure where the leak is coming from but it’s coming down the back of the block somewhere that I can’t lay eyes on. Everywhere else I could think of checking is dry. As long as I’ve owned my 03 it has always had 50/50 for the SC coolant and never comes out of the garage once the temps get in the 40’s until spring time.

I am open to suggestions on where to look for the leak, thanks in advance.
 

srdigital

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these guys have the gasket set the cheapest i could find when i built my setup last year: Genuine Ford SVT Cobra Supercharger Installation Gasket Kit - SVTINSTALLKIT | Levittown Ford (levittownfordparts.com)

i'd verify as best you can if it's engine coolant or the intercooler system leaking. both can appear to 'leak' in the valley below the intake. i had a failed IC hose leak down and under the intercooler adapter and puke coolant out between the engine and transmission by way of the valley on top of the block.
 

*Jay*

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I originally thought it was an IC hose that was leaking down and under from when I changed my hoses out last year but they are dry as a bone now. My IC tank is about empty now so I am going with that as being which system is leaking.

Thanks for the link and advice!!!
 

srdigital

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I originally thought it was an IC hose that was leaking down and under from when I changed my hoses out last year but they are dry as a bone now. My IC tank is about empty now so I am going with that as being which system is leaking.

Thanks for the link and advice!!!

i thought the same until i busted out some q-tips and started testing surfaces i couldn't see. my leak wasn't visible, but would dump coolant like crazy when the pump was on. was finally visible once i removed the pulley bridge and then the topmost idler and bracket from the accessory drive so that i could see the bottom of the intake.
 

*Jay*

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i thought the same until i busted out some q-tips and started testing surfaces i couldn't see. my leak wasn't visible, but would dump coolant like crazy when the pump was on. was finally visible once i removed the pulley bridge and then the topmost idler and bracket from the accessory drive so that i could see the bottom of the intake.

Great idea, refilled, primed and ran the pump for a bit. Snaked some twisted paper towel feelers underneath the IC inlet and will check them in the morning. You are correct the spot you described is impossible to see but you got me to where I needed to get the feelers, thanks and will report back in the morning.
 

hotcobra03

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upload_2021-1-4_18-59-19.png
 

hotcobra03

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I've had mine apart a few times

orings on tube's

I've reused bolts and gasket's

lower intake I have replaced

I pull mine as a unit with lower intake than work on bench

the lower pcv fitting line

this hose I have found will harden and not pull off but spin
it's a cause of po171/174 and maybe 172/175
put a clamp on here ford didn't
 

*Jay*

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Where is the lower PCV fitting line you mentioned, is it on the bottom of the lower intake manifold??? Still reading up on how to tull the blower and IC. Remember a good video about the process here but havent been able to find it again.

Hoping its a simple fix like a leaking Oring but am ready for whatever.
 

hotcobra03

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Where is the lower PCV fitting line you mentioned, is it on the bottom of the lower intake manifold??? Still reading up on how to tull the blower and IC. Remember a good video about the process here but havent been able to find it again.

Hoping its a simple fix like a leaking Oring but am ready for whatever.

yes on bottom where they said put a rag

is this a stock unit
 

*Jay*

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yes on bottom where they said put a rag

is this a stock unit

The blower is ported but the IC stock as far as I know. Which is the best way to pull the LIM out, still attached to the blower/IC or separated???
 

hotcobra03

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for me
pull blower belt
pull coolant hoses from intercooler housing

I pulled the vacuum harness off completely from car

pulled the engine over to passenger side

the ac connection is a lot of work to get to so that's why I just laid it to that side

this will open up the bay to work

1 1/16 open end break egr tube to exhaust loosen nut off egr
remove sensor bracket on drivers side 2 vacuum hoses to egr tube will stay
remove the egr valve 10mm deep socket 1/4 drive and 10mm box wrench
this will give needed room to pull unit

remove throttlebody at supercharger 4 13mm nuts a half moon wrench works wonders on bottom rear nut

fuel rail and injectors can be left on or pull now
quick disconnect with tool or just below passenger head is a old school pull white tab type disconnect

remove the lower intake bolts

lift blower up from nose to a 45 degree angle than lift it up out of motor
in a forward motion

I see some pic's like posted with lower still in
not sure how hard it is to pull that way

to me those 2 tube are going to play a part with lifting just blower out or during assembly
and to pull tubes before you need to pull pulley bracket in front of that and that isn't fun
inner belt has to come off pulley bridge
to much extra work
and to get to lower fitting you need to pull lower
 

03' White Snake

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Another thing to check is the heater core. There is a screw that comes thru the firewall and rubs on one of the hoses, they are known to leak. It is on the passenger side in the back of the engine. I cut my screw down so it's not so long.
 

*Jay*

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i thought the same until i busted out some q-tips and started testing surfaces i couldn't see.

Oh man what a great idea, I think you just saved me a whole lot of butt-pain in chasing that leak. Turns out the lower IC input hose is leaking when it gets around freezing temps outside. The paper towel I set under there just lapped it up over night and I can see a very small sheen and trace the trickle with a bright light, I never would have found that without placing something there to absorb it over time.

I tried to tighten the worm clamp by hand with a 8mm tipped screwdriver and it wouldnt budge, threw the socket handle on and tightened down another full turn. If it stays dry then awesome, if not looks like I will be going back to rubber heater hose for that section. I am assuming that the new silicon hose doesnt seal as easily as the old rubber heater hose I had replaced, looks like it was tight enough to seal in warm temps but not once the temps dropped and then it weeped coolant.

Fingers crossed and thanks for everything, will update when available.
 

*Jay*

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Dam I love/hate it when a problem has an obvious/easy fix. Cranking down hard on the lower IC hose clamp stopped my cold weather leak. Thanks all for your advice in helping me to dodge a bullet in chasing that leak down.
 

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