I primed the oil pump and started the engine. I noticed some smoke/steam on both sides by both exaust manifolds. Not enough I thought to get excieted. Maybe oil or small exaust leak. I ran it between 1K and 1500 RPM for about 5-7 mins.
I'm getting the following:
1) a lot of steam and water coming out by the termostat housing. Not sure if it was the $5.00 gasket that doesn't require the liquid gasket with it, or there is a intake manifold bolt right there. It could be coming from that.
2) The low coolant light came on. I presume that this is because of the water leak above.
3) The engine service soon light came on and I pulled a code 42 which has to do with the distribitor?
I am waiting for it to cool down right now...sounds like a good time for a nap!
After it cools down how should I go about running down the H2O leak?
What sould I do to follw up on the code 42?
Thanks

 

If I remember correctly, I used some Permatex Aircraft Sealant (the non hardening stuff that gets all over your fingers and turns them black) on the bolts that hold the thermostat gooseneck on. I believe that those bolts go into the water jacket and need sealing. My thermostat gasket always has seeped a little. I am scanning the code 42 checklist and will send it to you by email in a minute.


[Modified by NHVett, 4:57 PM 4/10/2003]

 

I have a couple of observations that may or may not be relevant to your situation: If the timing is not advanced enough, your exhaust manifolds will get really hot really quick because combustion is occurring too late, and the burn is "finishing" in the ex. manifold. That might explain your smoking exhaust manifolds. Or they may have just had oil residue on them.

The low coolant light is likely to come on after you first fire a new engine regardless of whether or not you have a leak, due to the fact that you can't really get the cooling system full until water is circulating. Pull your radiator cap and watch the coolant level as the engine warms up, and add as necessary.

I don't believe that the thermostat housing bolts go into the water jacket--- at least I'm pretty sure they didn't on mine. You need to use thread sealant on the threads of any bolts that do go into the water jacket, like the manifold bolts near the water passages on each end of the manifold. Actually I'd use sealant on all the intake manifold bolts.

Code 42 indicates a bad connection somewhere in the EST circuit, a bad ignition module or a faulty ECM. I can send you the info from the service manual to help track it down, if you haven't already gotten it from NHVett.

Good luck with the engine!

Jason


[Modified by needanother1, 10:35 PM 4/10/2003]

 

Soooo, I guess what I'm hearing is that the high end termostat gasket is good. The amount of H2O that came out of the general area was alot quick.
So what I'm looking at is the intake manifold bolt maybe as where the leak came from?
Can I just take the intake bolt out and use the gasket sealer on it, without having to replace the whole intake manifold gasket?

 

Did you put sealant on the head bolts (I hope so)? Is there water in the combustion chamber (pull the plugs and have someone turn the motor over to be sure there isnt). Sorry no answers just more questions to help diagnose.
:cheers:

 

I just ran it again for about 10 mins. No smoke from the headers now. At about 190 degs. water started coming out. I wasn't fast enough to see where it started, but I don't think it was going long enough to have water from one end of the intake to the other.
Is it possible that all I need to do is retorqe the intake bolts?

 

It's possible. But if that much water is coming out from the intake-- unless it's from a leaking hose, missing or torn thermostat housing gasket, or broken or cracked thermostat housing--- it might mean serious problems. Keep a close eye on possible contamination of the oil with coolant. You sure don't want to let coolant get into your freshly-rebuilt engine.

Here's another thought: There's coolant flowing through the bottom cavity of your throttle body (unless you've already bypassed it out). Check that area and the associated hoses for leaks. Any water that leaks out there can appear to be coming from the thermostat housing area.

Jason

 

Let it cool some, pop the housing off and put some "Right Stuff" made by permitex, (GOD I LOVE THAT STUFF) :p: Under the TS, and bolt it back together with a little on the threads of the bolts.

As for the code. You sure you have the ESC plugged in next to the brake booster, also is your knock sensor wire connected to the knock sensor itself. Once the temp reached 190+ it sends a signal to the knock sensor, if not found you will get a code, I think its related to ignition, so it could be the one you describe.

Good luck. :cheers:

 

The code 42 is nothing to worry about. It shows a fault in the EST circuit. When you set the ignition timing you disconnected the EST wire. The computer will show that code until you disconnect the battery to clear it. Just to be safe though, make sure the EST is plugged in all the way.

 

Big K: Are you sure you have the timing connector (tan & black wires) connected? If they are not connected during the run mode, you will set code 42.

 

Sam Lam, I just now figured where the timing connector is as I was replacing the thermostat gasket. No I havn't disconnected it or timed it yet. My timing light went out and I'm waiting for a friend to bring one over. No I'm not cheap. I just know that this is most likely going to be the last time I would use one.
Do you think that this code could be something left over from when I removed the engine?
Do you know how to clear the codes off the computer?
Thanks agan