HELP! Coolant leak after my head change

Level 5 User Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 112

Just started the car after swapping the heads over and it starts fine but there is a coolant leak at the rear of the head on the distributor side.

There are no other leaks anywhere on the head just this one location. I dont understand it because i did all the headbolts up correctly and to 97 degrees twice over.

Could it be one headbolt that isnt done up enough? im pretty certain that the gasket did not move. I also cant understand why there is a leak from here because looking at the other head, there are no coolant jackets near where its leaking, only oil ones.

I've checked the CTS and the dash temp sensor and they are not leaking.

What can i do to sort this leak? Please don't tell me that i have to take the head off Sad

Is it possible to try loosening the headbolts up to the leaking one in sequence and then tightening them up or can i just undo this one?

heres a pic of where its leaking, right at the back of the head dizzy side.

[img:800:600:c39c532c66]http://server2.uploadit.org/files/1fast6-16052006353.jpg[/img:c39c532c66]

Please help guys.

Thanks

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

Is it that bastard metal water pipe that runs under the manifold?

Level 5 User Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 112

Neal, i think i know which pipe you mean but iirc that runs along the front of the block and there is no leaking there.

For the time being i have smeared a load of universal blue around the area and under the part of the head that hangs over. It seems to be holding the leak just for the moment which is a relief but i expect it to start again Sad

I still dont have any idea why its leaking. Strangely enough, the last time i did a head change on an energy engine, it leaked like this in the exact same place but i just let it leak. On that car, the coolant crystalised white around the area after a while and the leak seemed to stop.

Any other ideas?

Site Subscriber Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 1141

1fast6";p="95111 wrote:

Neal, i think i know which pipe you mean but iirc that runs along the front of the block and there is no leaking there.

Wrong, there is a T piece on the pipe that exists the block on the top right, on the dizzy as you describe.

However, sounds like you've bodged the HG change.

Level 5 User Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 112

I have no idea what you are referring to mate. Are we talking about the same engine?

Would a solution like radweld help stop the leak possibly?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

is it leaking from the head face? I have never seen one leak there.

Thats heads true and never leaked when I had it.

I thought at first he inlet manifold as theres core plugs in that and a water jacket, but if its from the head gasket then its passing through oilways to get there.

If you chuck radweld in you might aswell just drain the coolant and fuck it that way.

Level 5 User Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 112

Chris H";p="95216 wrote:

If you chuck radweld in you might aswell just drain the coolant and fuck it that way.

Haha won't be doing that then. I think it may be leaking from the head face yeah. The coolant seems to run down the edge of the head(dizzy side) and then when it reaches the corner above the starter motor, it drips down.

Someone told me that ally heads are supposed to be skimmed every time you put them on is that true?

In any case, i am gonna have another look at it today and see if i can more clearly work out where its leaking. Chris, what are my options with it? Could a hardening gasket compound be spread over the head joint to seal it?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

well thst someones a fucking reatrd, seriously theres more fucking idiots around than can be safe surely.

We need a massacre of the human race we really do.

Well you never said it ran from the side did you. Theres a water gallery there, if yours done it before then I would be lookign at the block not the heads, 2 bent heads despite mine being perfectly true, don;t think so.

Get the head off and check the deck face.

Mr Quoter-vator Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7405

you sound like a believer in Eugenics Chris!

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

Well modern society has thwarted natural selection that would othwerwise have killed off half the people walking around or posting on internet messageboards, so what's left? Very Happy

Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 5:48 am

What half of natural selection should I be in then Neal?

Retroholic Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 5685

You'd be the one stuck in the middle hindering progress

Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 7:05 am

Just slightly higher up the scale that you then eh?

Wink

Retroholic Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 5685

I'll sneak through firmly hidden under hannas thumb Laughing

Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 7:18 am

Thats the way to do it

In a sqeaky punch and judy voice for no apparent reason

Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 7:41 am

Some people should have stopped evolving at the monkey stage!

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

some people did it would seem!

Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 9:04 am

Dont talk about Chet like that! Very Happy

Mr Quoter-vator Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7405

ha ha ha

Level 5 User Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 112

it seems to have stopped after sealing it Smile

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 6:03 pm

Save the seals!