2001.5 QX4 Coolant Leak... dreaded crossover tube?

[Legend11]

Hello,

My dad's 2001.5 QX4 with 145,000 miles is leaking coolant. it looks like it is leaking slightly on the passenger side near the middle/rear of the engine. The leak start off as a faint coolant smell, but has progressed to a noticeable puddle that accumulates under the truck. I have yet to crawl under there to look, but is it safe to assume it is the dreaded crossover tube gasket? If so, are there any special tools required outside of sockets, wrenches, etc... Any other things we should tackle as well? I read somewhere that we should replace a few more gaskets tied to the putting the thread locker on the screws on the engine. PCV Valve? Spark Plugs, anything else? Would hate to start this project only to find out we should have replaced some other components.

I appreciate any help! Any info is greatly appreciated. Also, I have a 2001.0 QX4, so if the job is similar (the thread locker, etc...) I may consider doing this to mine as well. Thanks

[donald]

This thread indicates no speacial tools required. Just many gaskets, time, and patience
post6577992.html?hilit=coolant%20leak#p6577992
Taking it to a mechanic can cost somewhere in the $500-700 range. As mentioned, most of the cost is due to labor.

The reason I found this thread is because I'm suspecting I'm having to tackle the crossover tube gasket also

[CanuckQx4]

Your not going to want to hear this, but the transmission has to be removed to gain access to the cross Tube. Been there done that

[donald]

Hey, Canuck - from the other thread and based on my assumption as to what a "crossover tube" is, I thought FSM shows that so long as the engine was taken apart down (remove upper intake plenum, lower intake collector, intake manifold) the part could be accessed?

This comes from FSM LC-17.

[CanuckQx4]

Yup, they make it sound like it can be done. THe problem is how wedged in the crossover tube is between the engine and firewall, AND that the 4 retaining bolts are studs, so the tube has to be pulled backwards over the studs, and the flange for the crossovertube is 3/8" thick, so the tube has to be pulled back over 1.5", and the room just isnt there, our 3.5L engines are shoehorned into the chassis, really wasnt designed well in this aspect for it.

The one way to do it without removing the trans is a little backyard mechanic I read someone on here had there mechanic try. The whole purpose of this procedure is to change the 2 gaskets right. Since the retaining nuts are studded, the gaskets simply have 2 holes in each and require the tube to be removed to get the gaskets over the studs and in place. What you can do though is simply cut slits in the gasket ends were the holes are, so all the is required to get them in place is to move the crossovertube back (doesnt need to fully come off the studs) and you can slip the gaskets in place between the engine and tube because of the slits. The hard part is cleaning off the old gasket....

Its really a major pita job either way you go.

[donald]

thanks that explanation makes sense. Manufacturers seem to do a good job about putting a high-fail part in the hardest place to get to.

I think I saw your post in another thread - you had to pay somewhere around $750 to get it done?
Is there any other work during that removal to be done while the AT is out?

[atraudes]

If the trans is out, your rear main oil seal

[tabrown11]

The one way to do it without removing the trans is a little backyard mechanic I read someone on here had there mechanic try. The whole purpose of this procedure is to change the 2 gaskets right. Since the retaining nuts are studded, the gaskets simply have 2 holes in each and require the tube to be removed to get the gaskets over the studs and in place. What you can do though is simply cut slits in the gasket ends were the holes are, so all the is required to get them in place is to move the crossovertube back (doesnt need to fully come off the studs) and you can slip the gaskets in place between the engine and tube because of the slits. The hard part is cleaning off the old gasket....

Its really a major pita job either way you go.

What is your trick for getting the existing gaskets off of the studs? Thanks!