Antifreeze leak
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: WV
Antifreeze leak
Well after spending a month trying to fix a leaking freeze plug that wasn't leaking upon closer examination I found the real souce of the leak I believe. On the passenger side head directly above the motor mount it appeared that the seal from the block to head was wet between the number two and eight cylinder. Upon closer inspection The head bolt above the the number 2 plug cylinder was roughly 2 full turns loose. Well I said a short prayer and tightened it up and rechecked the other bolts all others felt snug and went to start it up but yet it is still leaking. I am not getting any water in the oil and it does not appear to be burning any water. So I am guessing the head gasket needs replaced. How difficult of a job is it to do? I got a quote from the local shop to replace it and put on a set of block huggers to replace the ram horns of $650. Does that sound like a reasonable price?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Before you go to the trouble of replacing a head gasket you may want to try some K&W block sealer...there are more severe situations where it doesn't work very well but this kind of thing is just what it's made for...use it per the instructions on the can...it's available at all the major parts chains. It sounds like the loose head bolt allowed water to breach the head joint and once it started getting past the gasket it was too late to fix it merely by re-tightening the bolt. It would also be a good idea to drain the coolant completely and reinstall the suspect bolt to the proper torque WITH THREAD SEALER (I like #2 Permatex) since these bolts go into the water jackets. You might as well check the torque on all the other bolts as well while you're at it...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 374
From: Randolph nj
remember to drain it down first so when you take the bolt out the antifreeze wont travel back up the bolt hole ,,,
also if you do one side you better do the other side too !!
also if you do one side you better do the other side too !!
Last edited by forman; Apr 19, 2011 at 10:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: WV
I just want to tell everyone thank you what I though at the time might be a stupid post ended up saving me over $600 that I really could use in other places. Just want to thank you all for your help a 3 dollar tube of permatex I already had appears to have stopped the leak!
