Author Topic: Coolant leak  (Read 12000 times)

0 Members and 5 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline chrisgarrett

  • Bone Stock
  • **
  • Posts: 98
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Coolant leak
« on: January 17 2011, 08:53:42 PM »
Just re-installed my engine, and I have a coolant leak.  I removed the girdle and installed steel caps.  The top end was never opened up and never leaked before.  I first noticed the coolant as a drip on the inspection cover.  I thought it was coming out of the back of the pan, past the crappy rubber gasket I had on there.  I drained the oil, and found no coolant.  I removed the inspection cover and it had coolant in it.  I dropped the pan and found no coolant.  The entire engine is dry - no visible leaks anywhere, and no drips on the floor.
I'm wondering if it is coming out of the rear freeze plug. I can't really see up there.  If it is, is it fixable with pulling the engine?

Offline ULYCYC

  • Turbo Street Modified
  • *****
  • Posts: 872
  • PSI: 4
    • View Profile
Coolant leak
« Reply #1 on: January 17 2011, 09:08:36 PM »
Put a pressure tester on it. Could be the small freeze plugs in the back of the heads.
ED BAKER
87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror..
01 Park Ave Ultra S\'charged
BPG#1458

Offline chrisgarrett

  • Bone Stock
  • **
  • Posts: 98
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #2 on: January 17 2011, 09:13:20 PM »
How many pounds Ed?  If it is one of the plugs in the back of the engine, can I fix it without pulling the engine?  And, if it is a freeze plug what do you think of Cadillac Pills?

Offline 87granny

  • Bone Stock
  • **
  • Posts: 92
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Coolant leak
« Reply #3 on: January 17 2011, 09:20:01 PM »
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:08 pm"
Put a pressure tester on it. Could be the small freeze plugs in the back of the heads.
X2 on that one i had one rust out back there only leaked after it ran for 15 to 20 minutes if you remove the inspection cover look up there with a light you mabe able to see the traces of coolant i did both of the ones back their whiole the trans was out

Offline chrisgarrett

  • Bone Stock
  • **
  • Posts: 98
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #4 on: January 17 2011, 09:36:07 PM »
So they are fixable with the engine in the car?

Offline ULYCYC

  • Turbo Street Modified
  • *****
  • Posts: 872
  • PSI: 4
    • View Profile
Coolant leak
« Reply #5 on: January 17 2011, 09:37:08 PM »
If you have a leak it won't build much pressure. As you pump it up it will be splashing all over your shoes. Caddy pills are for porous aluminum blocks and people who don't know how to install head bolts or studs. They sell a expansion type freeze plug that you tighten a center nut. They work and can be done in the car. Used one on a 9sec GN at the BPG event last summer and worked fine. Change it when you blow a headgasket next time
ED BAKER
87-T, Maplight equipped rear view mirror..
01 Park Ave Ultra S\'charged
BPG#1458

Offline chrisgarrett

  • Bone Stock
  • **
  • Posts: 98
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #6 on: January 17 2011, 09:44:02 PM »
Will I need to drop the trans to access the plug?

Offline 87granny

  • Bone Stock
  • **
  • Posts: 92
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #7 on: January 17 2011, 09:49:10 PM »
Quote from: "chrisgarrett @ Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:44 pm"
Will I need to drop the trans to access the plug?
If that's where it's leaking from yes you'll have to drop the trans i baught the brass freeze plugs from Postons when they were still in buisness and came with everyone on the engine i can get you the number of the kit off the 2nd set i have at work if you need but i think you can get them seperatly

Offline turbo nasty

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 9
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #8 on: January 18 2011, 10:42:14 AM »
Pull the flexplate to
87 GN New Zimmerman Powerplant in the works!!!GT3255E, Alky, ESP FMIC, GEN2 w/LS1, Ext G, HR Bar, UMI, Bertram/White/EA Stg2 Trans, yadda yadda

Offline chrisgarrett

  • Bone Stock
  • **
  • Posts: 98
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #9 on: January 18 2011, 11:10:17 AM »
Quote from: "turbo nasty @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:42 am"
Pull the flexplate to


I was hoping to avoid that.  I'm thinking it's not so easy when you're lying on your back.

Offline 87granny

  • Bone Stock
  • **
  • Posts: 92
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #10 on: January 18 2011, 11:19:43 AM »
Quote from: "chrisgarrett @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:10 am"
Quote from: "turbo nasty @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:42 am"
Pull the flexplate to


I was hoping to avoid that.

Offline chrisgarrett

  • Bone Stock
  • **
  • Posts: 98
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #11 on: January 18 2011, 11:27:46 AM »
No, I'm not sure. I just can't imagine where else it could becoming from.  It's in the inspection cover only - no where else.  I'm going to pressurize the system tonight and that should verify if it's coming from a freeze plug.

Offline SuperSix

  • Administrator
  • Turbo Street Outlaw
  • *******
  • Posts: 5072
  • PSI: 234
    • View Profile
Coolant leak
« Reply #12 on: January 18 2011, 11:35:17 AM »
Is a dye-tracing kit worth it?

I need to buy a rad pressure tester.
'87 GN, 60lb, TA49, THDP, FTP cam, T+ lots o' shit - SOLD
'07 Ford F150 Lariat 2WD, 5.4L 3v - 255k
'20 Kubota BX2380. FEL, 60" deck
'78 IH/Case 184 Lo-Boy
'99 Kawasaki Bayou 400 4x4

Offline chrisgarrett

  • Bone Stock
  • **
  • Posts: 98
  • PSI: 0
    • View Profile
Coolant leak
« Reply #13 on: January 18 2011, 11:44:57 AM »
Quote from: "SuperSix @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:35 am"
Is a dye-tracing kit worth it?

I need to buy a rad pressure tester.


I'm thinking the pressure tester will answer all my questios.  :confused;

Offline Charlief1

  • Just another kinky six
  • Turbo Street Eliminator
  • ******
  • Posts: 1348
  • PSI: 2
    • View Profile
Coolant leak
« Reply #14 on: January 18 2011, 01:32:05 PM »
Quote from: "SuperSix @ Tue 18 Jan, 2011 10:35"
Is a dye-tracing kit worth it?

I need to buy a rad pressure tester.


Yes, they do work. I've used dye to locate quite a few leaks over the years. It can be used in the water, oil, gas, and AC system to detect leaks. The lights are a little pricey but the dye is pretty cheap.
And remember, when dealing with children, silence may be golden but duct tape is silver.

 

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal