[FullyZooked]

Recently had my engine rebuilt and is installed and running well.

I have a coolant leak on the left side of the engine and I cannot pin point it!
After going for a drive coolant has splashed on the back of the starter, on the clutch cable and carrier, bottom of the bell housing and also random drops on the engine block.

I have checked all hoses on the water pump and they seem to be fine. I have cleaned the engine and left to idle for over 8 minutes to try and re-create the leak or spray but cannot. As soon as I go for a drive, its all there again. If left there it will leave a palm size puddle on the ground.

I have found that with the radiator cap off and starting from completely cold the coolant level continues to rise and overflow from the radiator. Maybe a symptom of a bigger issue?

Is there a common issue here im missing or do I just need to start replacing hoses?

Thanks guys.

[atari4x4]

not a crack in the block by the welsh plugs?

[FullyZooked]

I was waiting for that. I certainly hope not. Both welsch plugs look intact, a crack is not visible on the block either.

May be time to take her in for a coolant pressure test.

[christover1]

My Sierra did similar,
it was a stuffed welsh plug on the underside of the inlet manifold

[alexvitara]

heater hoses sit right above starter, bellhousing etc.

[FullyZooked]

Thats the tricky thing about it. There are no green lines on the block that could indicate a crack. All I see everywhere is small drops of coolant around that area. Then ofcourse it all pools up onto the bellhousing then on the ground?

Doing my freakin head in.

[christover1]

inlet manifold gasket problems could leak coolant also

[FullyZooked]

alexvitara wrote:

heater hoses sit right above starter, bellhousing etc.

Yes indeed, although when inspected with my hand show no signs of weeping, wetness.

Maybe it is a hairline split in one of the hoses? Only spraying when at highway speeds with the added heat and pressure?

[christover1]

alexvitara wrote:

heater hoses sit right above starter, bellhousing etc.

Yes some heater hose/rad hose leaks dont show till hot and under pressure.

And being after an engine instal,
loose or poor fitting hoses is possible.

[FullyZooked]

christover1 wrote:

alexvitara wrote:

heater hoses sit right above starter, bellhousing etc.

Yes some heater hose/rad hose leaks dont show till hot and under pressure.

And being after an engine instal,
loose or poor fitting hoses is possible.

Im hoping its just a bad hose.

All fittings have been checked and no signs of leaking at connections. Is there another way I can pin point the bugger?

Im trying to move away from the cracked block theory, I don't like that...but is this an issue that others have had?

[alexvitara]

mine was slowly loosing coolent for a month or two and then the heater hose split. i think it had been slowly leaking.

maybe tape some paper towel around the heater hoses. take it for a good drive then see if the paper towel is wet?

[FullyZooked]

I'm going to replace all hoses now. Where can you source the tricky bent hoses that run from carb to pump and heater core to pump. Will any ripco or supercrap be able to source these?

Thanks for all the input so far guys. Top stuff.

[christover1]

You need to drive it, get it hot, then look under bonnet for leak while its running, with some revving and such. That can be dangerous, so pressure test at rad shop is safer.

[christover1]

alexvitara wrote:

maybe tape some paper towel around the heater hoses. take it for a good drive then see if the paper towel is wet?

Brilliant idea

[alexvitara]

i had a fair bit of trouble finding heater hoses so i took the old hoses to supercheap and found something from another model that would work. Actually bought one hose that im going to cut in half.
its a pretty straight route they take but i dont have AC or PS so you may have other stuff in the way.

[atari4x4]

do the G16's run a similar coolant pipe set up with o-rings like the j20's?

http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... light=ring

[ajsr]

get a mechanic to put a pressure tester on it, you will find it much easier that way

[alexvitara]

atari4x4 wrote:

do the G16's run a similar coolant pipe set up with o-rings like the j20's?

http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... light=ring

not that i've seen

[FullyZooked]

atari4x4 wrote:

do the G16's run a similar coolant pipe set up with o-rings like the j20's?

http://auszookers.com/index.php?name=Fo ... light=ring

Yes they do directly behind the pump. The pump tube is dry tried that.

[Jester]

my problem like that was the welch plugs on the underside of the intake manifold when i had a minor coolant leak hard to pinpoint

[FullyZooked]

Jester wrote:

my problem like that was the welch plugs on the underside of the intake manifold when i had a minor coolant leak hard to pinpoint

Did they show a sign of coolant weeping? Any pooling coolant directly below or just spraying under pressure?

[Chop]

Go to supercheap and buy a telescopic inpection mirror, one with an LED on it, you'll soon see it.

Cheap and a very handy tool to have.

[MacDaddy]

If yours is a Carby Vit, which i think it is, then the coolant hoses that go to the back of the carby, could be your problem, it was for my 89 Carby Vit when i had it, and it had a mystery coolant leak...

The alloy tubes that come out from the back of the carby, for the hoses to connect to, corrode up, and break the seal of the hose, i had to take the hoses off, and scrape, then sand the corroded lumps off, its a pita job, as there isnt much room, but, the hose had a perfect seal afterwards, no more leaks...

[Jester]

FullyZooked wrote:

Jester wrote:

my problem like that was the welch plugs on the underside of the intake manifold when i had a minor coolant leak hard to pinpoint

Did they show a sign of coolant weeping? Any pooling coolant directly below or just spraying under pressure?

I never saw coolant underneath, eventually saw it with inspection mirror while warm, and a slight build up of coolant crusting on top of the starter

[royce]

ajsr wrote:

get a mechanic to put a pressure tester on it, you will find it much easier that way

x6.72

or go for a highway drive and pull over and let idle, the pressure and heat will stay in the block so youll see it

except if whatever is leaking blows while you are driving around trying to figure it yourself and your engine cooks, in which case option 1 looks pretty good

[FullyZooked]

Too easy. I think I'll go the pressure test. I'll let ya's know how I go.

[whincup]

christover1 wrote:

You need to drive it, get it hot, then look under bonnet for leak while its running, with some revving and such.

x2 on this. had a leak that was driving me mad for weeks. eventually left it to idle til warm, then rev the engine hard, and eventually found it....

but i really like the paper towel idea, thats fantastic! only a suzuki driver

[FullyZooked]

I agree and am happy to try it. Although the hoses are a real bitch to get to. I'm sure I'll make it work...

[alexvitara]

the funny thing is i didn't think of that idea when i had the problem, just came into my head last night.

just make sure the paper towel doesnt get onto the exhaust or you might shep it

[FullyZooked]

WELL THE ENGINE IS SHEPPED!

There is a crack in my farking block!! Pressure tested this afternoon and crack is 40mm long right next to front welsch plug behind water pump.

Only opens up, sprays coolant when highway driving.

Mind you I just spent $1750 two weeks ago getting my engine reconditioned, all the while my engine block is cracked!?

Question is... Imagine your in my shoes...

What would you do from here?