Coolant Leak

[Redneck1465]

Well I finally got the car running again after the front 60K work and I was filling it back up with coolant and noticed that it was running out almost as fast as I would pour it in out the back side of the motor by where the temp sensor is and right on top of the temp sensor where the heater core lines come out. I cant really tell where it is leaking from but it looks like a heater core line cause its from above the sensor. You guys dont think its a blown headgasket do you? I mean the car was running fine when I pulled it into the barn and started the 60K service. There were no fluid leaks at the time what so ever so it really doesnt make sense to me that there would be a blown headgasket but I just thought I would throw it out there and see what you guys think. If its not one thing its another...

 

[NEp8ntballer]

two concepts you need to remember: money rolls up, shit rolls down. although instead of shit we are talking about coolant here. trace the leak up to the source. once you find the transition from wet to dry you've struck gold...although in this case it's more like lime green.

 

[Redneck1465]

I have traced it as far as I can see it and it looks like the heater hoses but it looks like it might have been even higher than that but that wouldnt make sense because the intake has all new gaskets as well.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

If you did a front 60k it makes no sense as to why it would be coming from the opposite side of the engine. Unless you pulled the intake, in which I will ask did you remember to put all the throttle body coolant lines back on?

Oh and no it's not a blown head gasket, these cars rarely blow them and that's pretty much only when owners excessively overheat them. It wouldn't pour out as fast as you pour it in as well. I'm sure you just forgot to tighten something so don't freak out yet

 

[Redneck1465]

Well thats the thing I did the upper intake gaskets and such last summer about this time but I did not drive the car all winter because I was gone at college from about a week after I did the upper 60K until this summer and all summer it was parked on a concrete driveway and it never leaked there. Thats why im thinking its one of the old heater hoses that finally gave the ghost up.

 

[93rev2sev]

Heater core hoses are typical common points of leaks. It's usually the spot where the rubber meets the metal hose. Sounds like you've already got it identified.

 

[St Louis SHO]

What about the tube from the WP to the water outlet????

 

[Redneck1465]

Its on the drivers side of the motor above the heater lines. I jacked it up and crawled underneath it this morning and the heater lines and dry as can be but its leaking coolant almost as fast as you pour it in there.

 

[93rev2sev]

What about the tube from the WP to the water outlet????

Well then, it sounds like this is your culprit. There's an o-ring on the throttle body side of that tube that can be dislodged when performing a front 60k.

Congrats, BTW...on getting her running again.

 

[Redneck1465]

Where excately would this be?? Is it where the upper radiator hose goes into the block? Do I need to remove the intake to fix it? Thanks on the help 93Rev you have always been a source of great info.

 

[93rev2sev]

When you did the front 60k (if you replaced the water pump) there was a pipe that ran from the water pump through the valley...all the way to the throttle body side of the engine. Below the throttle body is the coolant manifold that it connects to.

Removing the intake is the easiest way to locate a leak in that area...heck...removing just the throttle body will help...but removing the intake is almost just as easy.

 

[Redneck1465]

Yeah I replaced the water pump. If I pull off the intake I will have to get new intake gaskets correct? Do you know what the torque specs on the intake would be and what the pattern is? Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Huntervf]

No, your intake gaskets are reusable. You should be able to remove and reinstall the intake without needing any additional parts. It's still going to be a PITA to access that tube however.

Don't know the torque specs off hand... I always just went with good ol' fashioned German torque

When bolting the intake back down, I do however always work from the center out and snug it down in two stages.

 

[frosho]

Spec is 11-16 ft-lbs.

FYI, all the torque specs you'll ever need ---> http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=86474

 

[Redneck1465]

I cant find the tube. The only thing that I see is the upper radiator hose going into the block, and the short tube that runs off of that into the other what looks like into the other head.

 

[St Louis SHO]

the tube connects to the water neck. It's under the fuel injectors. IT connects to the piece that appears to run hed-to-head with a short piece of hose.

 

[frosho]

The tube runs through the valley between the cylinder heads. It's pretty buried down there..

 

[Redneck1465]

Ok I found it. I apologize for the stupid questions but how the **** do you get that peice off so you can change the o ring??

 

[St Louis SHO]

Remove the water outlet housing. (4 nuts, 2 on each head, maybe 6 I dont remember)

 

[93rev2sev]

You will need "water outlet to head" gaskets, though. The kit from RCM is $15 +shipping.

You may be able to avoid buying new gaskets if you want to try and save a few bucks by removing the water pump (lotsa extra work) and "reseating" the water crossover tube. Chances are about 50/50 that the o-ring is just poorly seated in the water outlet manifold.

I'd get the gaskets and replace the o-ring if it were me.

When you re-install the pipe, **** the o-ring with a little (emphasis on "little") grease so that it does not get dislodged, scratched or even torn.