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Tech Area => General Buick Tech => Topic started by: chrisgarrett on January 17 2011, 08:53:42 PM

Title: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 17 2011, 08:53:42 PM
Just re-installed my engine, and I have a coolant leak.  I removed the girdle and installed steel caps.  The top end was never opened up and never leaked before.  I first noticed the coolant as a drip on the inspection cover.  I thought it was coming out of the back of the pan, past the crappy rubber gasket I had on there.  I drained the oil, and found no coolant.  I removed the inspection cover and it had coolant in it.  I dropped the pan and found no coolant.  The entire engine is dry - no visible leaks anywhere, and no drips on the floor.
I'm wondering if it is coming out of the rear freeze plug. I can't really see up there.  If it is, is it fixable with pulling the engine?
Title: Coolant leak
Post by: ULYCYC on January 17 2011, 09:08:36 PM
Put a pressure tester on it. Could be the small freeze plugs in the back of the heads.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 17 2011, 09:13:20 PM
How many pounds Ed?  If it is one of the plugs in the back of the engine, can I fix it without pulling the engine?  And, if it is a freeze plug what do you think of Cadillac Pills?
Title: Coolant leak
Post by: 87granny on January 17 2011, 09:20:01 PM
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:08 pm"
Put a pressure tester on it. Could be the small freeze plugs in the back of the heads.
X2 on that one i had one rust out back there only leaked after it ran for 15 to 20 minutes if you remove the inspection cover look up there with a light you mabe able to see the traces of coolant i did both of the ones back their whiole the trans was out
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 17 2011, 09:36:07 PM
So they are fixable with the engine in the car?
Title: Coolant leak
Post by: ULYCYC on January 17 2011, 09:37:08 PM
If you have a leak it won't build much pressure. As you pump it up it will be splashing all over your shoes. Caddy pills are for porous aluminum blocks and people who don't know how to install head bolts or studs. They sell a expansion type freeze plug that you tighten a center nut. They work and can be done in the car. Used one on a 9sec GN at the BPG event last summer and worked fine. Change it when you blow a headgasket next time
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 17 2011, 09:44:02 PM
Will I need to drop the trans to access the plug?
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: 87granny on January 17 2011, 09:49:10 PM
Quote from: "chrisgarrett @ Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:44 pm"
Will I need to drop the trans to access the plug?
If that's where it's leaking from yes you'll have to drop the trans i baught the brass freeze plugs from Postons when they were still in buisness and came with everyone on the engine i can get you the number of the kit off the 2nd set i have at work if you need but i think you can get them seperatly
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: turbo nasty on January 18 2011, 10:42:14 AM
Pull the flexplate to
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 18 2011, 11:10:17 AM
Quote from: "turbo nasty @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:42 am"
Pull the flexplate to


I was hoping to avoid that.  I'm thinking it's not so easy when you're lying on your back.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: 87granny on January 18 2011, 11:19:43 AM
Quote from: "chrisgarrett @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 11:10 am"
Quote from: "turbo nasty @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:42 am"
Pull the flexplate to


I was hoping to avoid that.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 18 2011, 11:27:46 AM
No, I'm not sure. I just can't imagine where else it could becoming from.  It's in the inspection cover only - no where else.  I'm going to pressurize the system tonight and that should verify if it's coming from a freeze plug.
Title: Coolant leak
Post by: SuperSix on January 18 2011, 11:35:17 AM
Is a dye-tracing kit worth it?

I need to buy a rad pressure tester.
Title: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 18 2011, 11:44:57 AM
Quote from: "SuperSix @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:35 am"
Is a dye-tracing kit worth it?

I need to buy a rad pressure tester.


I'm thinking the pressure tester will answer all my questios.  :confused;
Title: Coolant leak
Post by: Charlief1 on January 18 2011, 01:32:05 PM
Quote from: "SuperSix @ Tue 18 Jan, 2011 10:35"
Is a dye-tracing kit worth it?

I need to buy a rad pressure tester.


Yes, they do work. I've used dye to locate quite a few leaks over the years. It can be used in the water, oil, gas, and AC system to detect leaks. The lights are a little pricey but the dye is pretty cheap.
Title: Coolant leak
Post by: SuperSix on January 18 2011, 01:56:10 PM
Quote from: "Charlief1 @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 1:32 pm"
Quote from: "SuperSix @ Tue 18 Jan, 2011 10:35"
Is a dye-tracing kit worth it?

I need to buy a rad pressure tester.


Yes, they do work. I've used dye to locate quite a few leaks over the years. It can be used in the water, oil, gas, and AC system to detect leaks. The lights are a little pricey but the dye is pretty cheap.


Thanks, that's the answer I was looking for.

I know my Caddy A/C system has the dye - I think it would be very useful for finding errant oil leaks, etc.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: ULYCYC on January 18 2011, 02:35:12 PM
Anti-freeze will usually reflect so dye is not needed, only the light.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: 87granny on January 18 2011, 02:43:03 PM
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:35 pm"
Anti-freeze will usually reflect so dye is not needed, only the light.
Ain't that the truth when i saw mine my head sunk and the only thing i could think was FUCK
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 18 2011, 02:53:03 PM
Quote from: "87granny @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 1:43 pm"
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:35 pm"
Anti-freeze will usually reflect so dye is not needed, only the light.
Ain't that the truth when i saw mine my head sunk and the only thing i could think was FUCK


So, you saw anti-freeze, and you thought about having  :bigeyes; sex?
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: 87granny on January 18 2011, 04:46:05 PM
Quote from: "chrisgarrett @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:53 pm"
Quote from: "87granny @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 1:43 pm"
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:35 pm"
Anti-freeze will usually reflect so dye is not needed, only the light.
Ain't that the truth when i saw mine my head sunk and the only thing i could think was FUCK


So, you saw anti-freeze, and you thought about having
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 22 2011, 05:49:28 PM
As a follow-up, I finally got around to pressurizing the system and found a leak at one of the front cover bolts near the power steering pump.
Title: Coolant leak
Post by: Top Speed on January 22 2011, 09:12:24 PM
Good find on the leak.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: Charlief1 on January 23 2011, 12:38:58 AM
Quote from: "chrisgarrett @ Sat 22 Jan, 2011 16:49"
As a follow-up, I finally got around to pressurizing the system and found a leak at one of the front cover bolts near the power steering pump.
Title: Coolant leak
Post by: daveismissing on January 23 2011, 08:26:41 AM
What is best practice on assembly then, goop all the bolts?
Title: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 23 2011, 09:36:16 AM
Quote from: "daveismissing @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:26 am"
What is best practice on assembly then, goop all the bolts?


I use a latex silicone on the threads of all bolts that go into an oil or coolant passage.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: ULYCYC on January 23 2011, 10:00:56 AM
I find this works best

(http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcsstore/CVWEB/staticproductimage//N2131/large/16160023_ptx_80632_pri_larg.jpg)
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: $1987 GN$ on January 23 2011, 10:29:02 AM
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:00 am"
I find this works best

(http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcsstore/CVWEB/staticproductimage//N2131/large/16160023_ptx_80632_pri_larg.jpg)


Ed is right use the permatex stuff, the latex stuff will shift and then the seal breaks and then leaks.

AJ___
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: chrisgarrett on January 23 2011, 11:58:29 AM
Yeah, that's what I use the Permatex Teflon.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: Just a Six? on January 24 2011, 11:27:54 AM
Quote from: "ULYCYC @ Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:00 am"
I find this works best

(http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcsstore/CVWEB/staticproductimage//N2131/large/16160023_ptx_80632_pri_larg.jpg)



Its weird to see that Permatex label with Spanish & not French like we have.
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