I smelled a coolant leak today while I was moving some furniture. when I opened the hood, coolant was leaking from a pipe that runs through the intake plenum, right where the two air intake tubes come into it. I had to bypass the leak with a small piece of tubing so I could get home. I don't know why coolant would run through this area. is it an emmisions control or something. is it really necessary?

Edit:

I took the small plate that was in the way off, and I see two inset screws. One of them has a hole and is causing the leak. it seems like the inset shape is almost round. how do I get this out to replace, and what is the purpose of having water go throuh this area?

Thanks!

 

What kind of vehicle?

 

Guess that would help. It is a 95 4wd F150 with a 302 V8. It also has an automatic.