Could this be my coolant leak?

[dreamer2355]

Did you put a cooling pressure tester on your cooling system when trying to locate the leak?_x000D_
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Where i work, if we are trying to isolate a leak on a ‘dirty’ engine, we usually use a degreaser, wash it clean then start investigating.

Topic

[hbvx]

A friend that was helping with more ‘data gathering’ did pressure test the cooling system, and I believe he was washing down some of the gunk around the side of the block; exhaust side. However, this intake side of the block has this area is very hard to

[jbone]

Maybe coming from your over flow tank..Is it a closed system where the over flow tank is where u put coolant into..There is an air hose that comes off to let air out and sometimes if it overheats or gets too hot it might spit some out of that hose._x000D_
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But

[EricTheCarGuy]

RTV on the thermostat housing yea.

[hbvx]

I think it’s worth pulling the housing and replacing the o-rings, and the t-stat with an OE since I have no idea the previous owners maintenance. Who knows, maybe it is only an RTV sealer of sorts and no gasket is inside._x000D_
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Eric, doesn’t the OE stat just

[hbvx]

UPDATE:_x000D_
_x000D_
So, I just had the engine mounts replaced today, and by chance I was re-adjusting/re-checking some things tonight(the rear mount’s bolt wasn’t torqued down at the shop or something, oops, no harm no foul) but all is well until…[i][b]coolant l

[lnknprkfn312@hotmail.com]

yep looks alot like mine used to be, my mechanic found a pin sized hole at the weld on that water pipe where the first tube connects onto it. plus the inside of it was all rusted out

[hbvx]

Thanks for sharing your experience._x000D_
_x000D_
Well, I’m in the process of trying to see the source leak, but so far no success. I used a mirror to observe from topside, the water pipe into the thermostat housing. I don’t see any leaks, and I cant see any running

[hbvx]

UPDATE:_x000D_
_x000D_
It turns out the leak on the ground was the new oil filter with a poor seal at the gasket. So, looks like I can’t use that type of oil filter._x000D_
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So, I’ll replace that and afterward have

[EricTheCarGuy]

Nice work thanks for keeping us up to date.

[hbvx]

UPDATE:

My recent Used Oil Analysis has confirmed coolant entry and it’s gotten worse, from about .3% to 2% of the fluid volume. The sodium ppm has gone up from 140s to over 1000(however, 400 of which is additive in Valvoline’s conventional fluid).

Therefore, ppm of coolant/contaminant entry PLUS the obvious increase in block wear and now the bearings showing wear leads me to the conclusion that head needs to come off.

It’s a shame, since the valve-train looked so good. What are the chances I’m catching this early guys? I’ve got several reports before since owning the car.

Image:

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/5241/uoa5.png

[hbvx]

UPDATE:

My recent Used Oil Analysis has confirmed coolant entry and it’s gotten worse, from about .3% to 2% of the fluid volume. The sodium ppm has gone up from 140s to over 1000(however, 400 of which is additive in Valvoline’s conventional fluid).

Therefore, ppm of coolant/contaminant entry PLUS the obvious increase in block wear and now the bearings showing wear leads me to the conclusion that head needs to come off.

It’s a shame, since the valve-train looked so good. What are the chances I’m catching this early guys? I’ve got several reports before since owning the car.

Image:

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/5241/uoa5.png

[EricTheCarGuy]

At least it was an easy fix. Thanks for the update.

[EricTheCarGuy]

At least it was an easy fix. Thanks for the update.

[college man]

Thanks for the update and the fix.

[college man]

Thanks for the update and the fix.

[Author]

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