OH NO!! trick flow hci install??!!

91lxttrim · Apr 4, 2006

I just ran my car around the block for the first time after wrapping up the HCI install and get into the garage and notice a small coolant puddle on the passenger side. So I get under the car and look up and it looks like it's coming from the front corner of the head where it meets the block! All I did was put the gasket on and torque the head. I don't know why or how there could be coolant coming out there. Has this ever happened to anyone before?

I'm hoping it might be coming from one of the hoses going to and from the t-stat housing or the heater lines on the manifold but was too tired and bummed to look into it anymore tonight.

Other than that it runs and sounds great!! Just kind of a bummer to see coolant like that after all that work.

dragnazz5.0 · Apr 4, 2006

that does suck. all you can do is clean it up and let it run and see if you can tell where it is coming from. i hope for your sake that its not the head gasket.

Roland69 · Apr 4, 2006

I'd be pissed if it was a gasket

1SLO306 · Apr 4, 2006

did u use the gasket adhesive??? sometime the gasket itself does not do the job right.

795.0pacecar · Apr 4, 2006

What kind of gaskets did you use? Did you use the kind that has a bead of silicone that goes around all of the water passages?

Curse · Apr 4, 2006

Don't get bummed out man, I also had a leak after my TFS head install. Turned out to be the plug I used to cap off the hose to the heater lines. Hope it turns out to be an easy fix.

91lxttrim · Apr 4, 2006

I used the Fel-Pro head gaskets that came with the kit, so yeah they have the blue silicone around all the passages.

Blake, what kind of adhesive? I've never heard of using adhesive with the head gaskets.

Thanks curse. I bypassed my heater core too by looping it behind the t.b.. I'm going to clean up the leak and check it all today after work.

The only thing is I didn't replace the head locating dowels on the block like they recommended (just re-used the old ones). I wonder if somehow that screwed things up. What a cheap part. If they want you to replace that during install why not just include it in the kit?

SAY GO · Apr 4, 2006

there like $1.50 at your local parts store. did you put the gaskets on backwards? did you TQ from the inside out evenly? ang move progressily up? i forgot how it go's? 35 ft/lbs,55,90 or something like that???

HardmanGT · Apr 4, 2006

I'd put money on the thermostat housing leaking. I've had the thermostat slip while I tighten down the housing only to realize it after I see the leak. Check that out.

SAY GO · Apr 4, 2006

yes make SURE you eliminate the possibility of it coming from somewhere else, its probally just the t housing dripping onto the head check it out

Redrooster · Apr 4, 2006

Not to be funny but did you make sure and put both head gaskets on correctly? The fel-pro lock-wire gaskets are side specific. the reason i know as i put mine on upside down before. they say front on the gasket.

You could also try a pressure tester on the radiator to see where the leak is coming from.

mustangramair · Apr 4, 2006

I had oil and collant leaks after my H/C/I install. If i were you i would wipe everything down, then i would pull the valve covers and re-torque your heads to make sure they are to the correct foot-pounds.

lxwants12's · Apr 4, 2006

damn man that really sucx....i hope it all works out for you i was gonna ask if you wanted to go on this mustang cruise april 15th....big cruise up to bartlett lake and theres gonna be a camera crew too!!....check the easiest things first...all your house t stat housing like stated above..then do what ^ said pull the valve covers and retorque them bitches

Mike92GT · Apr 4, 2006

I'm suprised that nobody mentioned this yet, but did you use thread sealing paste on the short head bolts? The short head bolts thread into the water jackets, and they will leak if you don't put sealer on them.

RYC CUKR · Apr 4, 2006

Mike92GT said:
I'm suprised that nobody mentioned this yet, but did you use thread sealing paste on the short head bolts? The short head bolts thread into the water jackets, and they will leak if you don't put sealer on them.

Beat me to it.

That would be my guess as to where the leak is coming from.

Curse · Apr 4, 2006

Mike92GT said:
I'm suprised that nobody mentioned this yet, but did you use thread sealing paste on the short head bolts? The short head bolts thread into the water jackets, and they will leak if you don't put sealer on them.

Good point forgot about that. When working on a car a lot of people overlook the little things.

91lxttrim · Apr 4, 2006

I think mike92gt might have a point. I only used oil on the bolts like the instructions said but that makes sense. If that were the case, what if any damage has it done? Will the coolant get into the cylinders?

Could I remove just the short ones and put sealer on them? Like one at a time and re-torque it before I take the next one out? I only ran the new combo for 5 min. I haven't even had a chance to break it in.

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm going to check all the other hoses and connections first then see what happens...

lxwants12s- I'll definitely go as long as this all gets worked out by then!

lxwants12's · Apr 4, 2006

good luck be real nice to see that beast out there

DMAN302 · Apr 4, 2006

Your going to have to remove all the bolts and retorque all over again. Great time to upgrade to ARP bolts if you haven't already! not sure on reusing the HG either..that someone else will have to chime in for.

lxwants12's · Apr 4, 2006

no you SHOULDNT use the hg over again

OH NO!! trick flow hci install??!!

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