2.8 coolant leak at heater hose connection to block ..... any BTDT?

[Tony Hoffman]

Haven't dealt with this myself on a 2.8, but seen plenty of the plastic
water necks leaking at the rear of the 1.8T's. THey are a PITA to replace,
but it is possible. Yes, you will have to remove a lot of stuff to get at
it. As Huw said, try to get a small mirror back there and look up from under
the area, so you can be sure of what is leaking.

Tony

On Wed, Jul 20, 2011 at 4:04 PM, Jim Howes <mxhowes at aol.com> wrote:

> 98 2.8 5-speed.
>
>    I've discovered a small coolant leak. It seems to be coming from the
> heater hose connection to the rear of the block. From the top side I can't
> see the hose connection or even get my hands in the area but I can see some
> coolant on the bell housing below the hose. From underneath still can't see
> the connection but I can just manage to squeeze my hand up there near the
> hose and it is wet.
>   I guess my question  is .... how do you access this area? It looks like I
> might have to remove most of the pluming (vacuum hoses, PCV pipes etc) to
> access from the top. Just looking for a heads up from someone who has had
> this problem.
> Thanks