Intake coolant leak???

[backfocus]

Ok,

So I am begining the process of getting my engine re-built and I am first trying to determine what is needed to be fixed before I tear it apart. The first problem I am trying to decide upon is where is the coolant going. It is usually always low, but I never see any coolant under the car when setting. But it does have a little white smoke out the exhaust. First I did a compression test and all cyclinders were between 163 and 168, so looks good there. Next I decided to do a coolant system pressure check. I had some hose clamps that weren't tight enough, and fixed those, but the most startling part was the leak I found below the water neck right behind the water pump. I tried to make to clear on the pict where it is leaking, right where the passenger side head, lower intake and block meet. When I apply 15lbs of pressure to the system, coolant trickles out here.

Correct me if I am wrong, but how is coolant getting to this point. It is for sure not on the water neck and dripping down. Do you think something is cracked or would a bad head gasket on intake gasket cause this? Even though the compression test was good. I know I need to do the leak down test still, maybe this weekend. Thoughts anyone.

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Thanks

 

[poneypower89]

cant really tell that well.. but it looks like that leak is right below your water neck.

Mine was leaking a while back by the neck also. Gasket replacement and I was in buisness... those bolts are easy to break though to so watch out IF that turns out to be ur problem.

 

[backfocus]

If you are refering to the water inlet as far as leaking I know it is not. It leaking where the head, block and upper intake meet right below the inlet right in the corner. Sorry I couldn't get a better pict not much of a way to gett a pict of it. I had to almost stand on my head to see where it was leaking, but I can see it much better with a mirror.

Although if you mean you replaced the lower intake gaskets, why is there coolant right there. I would think it couldn't get there unless something is bad or cracked. I woudl think the coolant should go in past that piont in the lower intake, correct???

 

[backfocus]

anybody???

 

[backfocus]

Just thought I would give an update on what was causing the leak. First, I did remove and replace the thermostat and gasket just to make sure it wasn't coming from there, where I couldn't see it, but it was still leaking after that. Still leaking in the same place, in the corner between the head, lower intake, and block. But when I took the lower off it was evident where it had been leaking, bad intake gasket. Leaking between the head and intake and trickling out the corner of the lower. It is hard to tell from the pict but and gasket is all cracked in the lower left corner. But, they are 15 year old gaskets.

View attachment 394241



So nothing is cracked. And gives me a better idea about the motor before it goes to Kieth Kraft.

Thanks to Roland and Aryan15 for the rubber band thermostat trick from my other post, it worked great.