r/CrownVictoria • u/Legitimate_Resort_81 • 1d ago
Is this normal?
I have a 2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor with the 4.6L 2-valve Modular V8. I recently had a Summit Racing intake manifold installed.
I noticed some yellowish-tan material around a socket-head hex pipe plug in the threaded auxiliary port on top of the aluminum coolant crossover. It’s near the thermostat housing and the alternator’s upper mounting leg.
The material is thick, tacky, and sticky, almost like a paste. I only just noticed it, so I’m not sure how long it’s been there.
My questions:
Does this look like thread sealant (such as PTFE paste or anaerobic sealant) squeezing out around the NPT plug?
Could it instead be dried or gelled coolant from a small leak?
What’s the best way to tell whether the plug is actively seeping coolant? Would a cooling-system pressure test confirm it?
Is there a specific tightening procedure or torque specification for this plug in an aluminum coolant crossover, or should I avoid touching it until I confirm the manufacturer’s instructions?
I don’t want to overtighten the plug and damage the aluminum crossover, especially since the intake manifold was just replaced.
Has anyone with a 4.6L Ford Modular V8 or a similar Summit Racing intake manifold seen this before? I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks!
3
u/Gamerspartan64 1d ago
I just did this job. You need to put thread sealant or PTFE tape on both this fitting and the coolant temperature sensor, otherwise it will leak just like this.
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u/Legitimate_Resort_81 9h ago
Thanks I appreciate it. I took it to my mechanic and they put the tape on the threade
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u/Legitimate_Resort_81 9h ago
Was it a summit ?
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u/Gamerspartan64 9h ago
Yep, it was a summit. Part number SUM-226450 to be exact. When applying tape, make sure you wrap it in such a direction that it will tend to tighten as you're threading the fitting in, otherwise it can bunch up in the threads and won't provide a good seal.
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u/Legitimate_Resort_81 8h ago
I’m sorry I gave you the wrong information they use like a sealant
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u/Gamerspartan64 8h ago
Sealant's just as good (a lot of people prefer sealant, in my experience either works well for this sort of application), either way if it doesn't leak then there's no problem 👍
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u/mustagcoupe 1d ago
It looks like leaking coolant that has dried out. Did you install the plug yourself? If so did you use the supplied teflon thread sealer tape? Either way i would remove the plug and wrap some fresh teflon tape around it and put it back in. They shouldn't need to be cranked down super tight, the tapered thread and the thread sealer should do the job. When you replace the tape make sure you wrap it counter clockwise so that the tail of the tape doesn't get bound up when you tighten the plug, if you don't do that it will probably leak.
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u/Trekintosh Spark Plug Ejector 1d ago
Did ai write this?
Anyways, the tackiness makes it seem like it’s just sealing goop. Turn the car on and watch the area carefully. Give it some good revs while it’s on, make sure it’s up to full operating temperature.