Front cover leak
 

Has anyone heard of any TSB's on a leaking front engine cover, or lower intake gaskets? Wifes 97 3.8 vert is leaking small amounts of coolant and it looks like its coming somewhere from the timing cover. I remember reading something about this on the F150 forum about the 4.2 truck engine, and i thought it included 3.8's.

MY 1994 3.8 was leaking coolent from behind the timing chain cover. I THINK it was the main engine seal. We replaced it ourselves in my garage. I am not sure about any recalls by ford about it. It stoped the leak though.

Coolant and oil leakage from the timing chain cover is a very common problem with 3.8L's and 4.2L's. I see them all the time at the shop i work at. If you do replace the cover gasket, make sure to get all the coolant/debris from the cover out of the oil pan (removing pan is a +) since that will instantly eat your bearings when you start it up, if left in there.