Coolant Leak Origin?
 

This thread is really looking for ideas, but maybe an answer.
This leak is getting worse.
Every thing is dry on the upper engine. Intake manifold, heater hoses, and the water pump are leak free.
These pictures are taken; looking up from the floor on the engine's right side.
Third picture shows the engine mount more clearly for prospective.
I'm fearing it's a head gasket leak, as it's an 11:1 compression ratio engine. I'm going to pull #'s 2 & 4 spark plugs and check their condition first.
Perhaps it's a freeze plug. Wherever it's coming from, it is not visible from the top, with the header attached.
Anyone seen a leak like this before? If so, what was it?

Thanks.
Steve
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...875cc07ff6.jpg
These pictures are taken; looking up from the floor on the engine's right side.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...de68fa1ee4.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...8d966e51c9.jpg

clean the engine off, rent or buy a cooling system pressure tester to find the source of the leak and not have to guess.

May have found it.
At plugs #s 4 & 2.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...b49a07a599.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...c508e3cfc5.jpg

Dammit.

Steve

Not sure what you are seeing in the last picture?

I think he is showing us the block is wet at the surface for the head.

:yesnod: But without a smile.

It sure looks to me like a Cylinder Head Gasket Failure right in that area DAD. Aluminum cylinder head. I pray that that's all it is, and no cracks anywhere.

Not what I need right now. :cuss
Steve

If you are blaming a head gasket failure, you likely would have some steam out of the exhaust and that unmistakable odor that goes along with it.

Where is your coolant temperature probe on yours? Between #4 & #6 ?

Freeze plug leaking...........

Tips:

Coolant always moves DOWN due to gravity and REARWARDS due to the air/wind under the car. So always look up and forward of where you find coolant puddled or dripping. The leak may be a foot or more away from where you find coolant.

Pressure wash then add a little UV dye.

Or --- FULLY warm the car up with the radiator/pressure tank cap off, shut the engine down, put a pressure tester on it and pump it up to 15-20 psi. Your leak should become obvious.

Excellent point.
I'm not noticing a steamy exhaust. Performance is excellent.
I installed an EFI Temperature Probe between #s 6 & 8, SB. The Temp Probe for the gauges sits between #s 1 & 3.
Thanks for joggin this feeble memory. :thumbs:

Steve

Steve

I thought about that, in a good way. But is it an easy fix if it was?

Thanks.
Steve

EXCELLENT TIPS AGAIN.
I'll go with the pressure test .

:cheers:
Steve

just because its not leaking into the cylinders doesnt mean the gasket couldnt be damaged from the water jacket to outside edge of the block.

That is true, but that's a real narrow margin there. Generally, if a headgasket is shot, the cylinder is involved too.

The coolant part of the gasket near the edge only has 15-16 lbs of pressure. The cylinder side of the gasket has 140-170 lbs of pressure.

what concerns me about this is that it looks like the gasket wasnt installed correctly and may not be sealing. Here is why I say that.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...9dec057378.jpg

See how the gasket follows the casting of the block and in your picture the gasket is recessed leaving the matting surface exposed. When was the last time the heads were off?

Good eye. And that is exactly why the head gasket manufacturer prints on the gasket: THIS IS UP.*

*except for Australia, then it would be this side down.

And then you have to wonder if the headbolts received a thread sealant compatible with glycol.

Could be something as simple as a loose headbolt. But I doubt it.

Are you presenting this as an example of a gasket installed upside down? This to me looks like the WRONG GASKET. In my mind's eye I don't see all the passages lining up even flipped, especially the 3 large, circular coolant passages.

I was using that picture to show how the gasket contours to the block casting and doesnt expose the mating surface. this is a picture from fel pros website not one of the OP building the engine.

Appreciate the good eye Kacyc3. I'll fire it up and watch it for a while.
Strange that a breach like that would show up over 5 years and 12K miles since installed, but that's not the point right now. :)

Steve