High guys, sorry for the LONG email, but I need to explain.


I have an 88 L98 engine.


2 weeks ago I was going down the highway really fast and I had the gas pedal down to the floor. At the next red light I saw smoke coming out of the hood
on the driver side between the hood and the windshield. Next gas station I pulled over lifted the hood and saw smoke coming out mainly on the diver side in front of the brake booster. The smoke only lasted like 5 to 10 sec and didn't really get the chance to see exactly were it was coming from and it was dark outside.

I was told this could be a coolant leek from the head gasket, but the engine was rebuilt only 12 000 km ago, but it was rebuilt about 3 years ago. I was also told it could be a hose somewhere leaking, but I really saw smoke on the driver side and no coolant hoses are on that side.

So I had the rad tested with a pressure tester and no coolant leaked any were, but I'm honestly wondering if the pressure actually left the rad and went into the engine.

I was told I would see the coolant leaking when this test was done.. but didn't see any leaking. :mad

So? here is were I am.

The car hasn't smoke since then, and I drove it hard a few times, BUT!! the stupid Low coolant light comes on in the morning if I don't let the engine warm up and take off with the car.
It seems like each time I give the car gaz the low coolant light comes on and when I let it go... 2 or 3 sec after it disappears. :mad :mad :mad

After the engine warms up the light completely goes away

I was told that maybe the Thermostat sticked and it created pressure inside the engine and the coolant leaked from the weakest part or gasket or connecting hose of the engine.

I changed the thermostat for a new one "took me like 2 hours" there really no place to work on the engine.
Anyway's.... the car runs good, but the stupid Low Coolant light comes one when the engine is cold and give it gas for the first few minutes I drive the car until the engine warms up.

Some have told me, it could be the heads, others have said coolant hoses, others even said the Intake manifold could of leaked.

I'm honestly confused and don't know what to do any more.

Any suggestions from you experts out there?


[Modified by TheStef, 4:13 PM 9/12/2003]


[Modified by TheStef, 4:19 PM 9/12/2003]

 

I think I'll redo the presure test this weekend on the Radiator and see if after changing the termosta the presure will go into the engine.

I'm hoping this is just a sensor problem....

does any one know were the coolant sensor is?

 

Can any one help me?

 

The only thing on the driver's side remotely close to the brake booster would be the rear of the intake manifold or possibly a freeze plug. Fill it back up cold and then with the cap off, run the engine until the thermostat opens. Open the throttle to about 1500 rpms and top it off. With the throttle still open, replace the cap. Make sure the a/c is off so that fan doesn't come on until 226. When it does, shut it off. Temperature will continue to climb and maximum pressure will build in the system. Use a mechanic's mirror to observe the rear of the manifold and/or jack it up and look at the side and the rear of the block from underneath.

 

:iagree:
With SunCr
tony

 

I FOUND IT!

its the base Intake manifold.. its leaking on the driver side.
Thanks for the help guys

 

just to let you know, the heads were shaved and I read that when the heads or block is shaved on an engine the Intake manifold gasket has to be thicker or else it might leak.

I'm like 90% certain this is what happened... I'll remove and change the gasket over the winter or just before taking the car out next spring.

 

Intake manifold gasket leaks are common on both L98s and LT1's. :(

 

hmmm if they are common I'm guessing its not really dangerous right?

what would be a worse case scenario?

 

Fire in the engine compartment. That serious enough for you? :D

 

ok, but what would cause the fire? I can't see why coolant falling on the exaust or coolant in general would cause fire?

 

Assuming all your wiring is in order including fusible links, nothing.

 

:iagree: nothing could happen just watch coolant temp

 

Yeah I've been keeping an eye on the coolant temp, every thing seems normal.. nothing out the usual range... same with the oil temp.

This weekend I took out a rench and I retighned the Base Intake Manifold screws on the driver side .. and guess what? they were loose.. not loose to the point of being able to tightneed them with my fingers but I compared them to the ones on the passenger side and they were deffinetly more loose.

I drove the car last night and this morning and the car doesn't smell like coollant any more, (maybe I fixed it) I'll drive the car hard tonight on the highway and lift up the hood when I get home to see if it leeked again.

I'll probably end up buying a SuperRam intake and install it this winther... might as well since I probably need to replace the gasket on the base Intake manifold any ways.

I think my 383 deserves it also :D

Thanks for the help guys


[Modified by TheStef, 6:47 AM 9/17/2003]

 

Glad you found it! I just went through a week of hunting and fixing a coolant leak on my 88 coupe. Drivers side water pump gasket! Low coolant level warning, couldn't figure where it was going. Small drips at rear of block.
Antifreeze smell.
All is ok now. New pump, torquing all bolts to spec.
Use a torque wrench next time! You're better off to keep your torque specifications. :smash:

 

Yeah I know its 20 pounds.. but I didn't want to remove the plenum and runners so I just got a wrench and squeezed in and thighten them best I could "Not hard as I could" best as I could :)

The low coolant light also came on in my car, and the car also had an anty freeze or Pestone smell.

I didn't lift up the hood to smell yet but I used to be able to smell it even with the hood closed.