Author Topic: leaking coolant: front of head/block/timing cover  (Read 4812 times)

vagrant_mugen

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leaking coolant: front of head/block/timing cover
« on: September 24, 2008, 10:37:38 PM »
i just  swapped in this m42 into my 84 318.  i changed all the gaskets/seals EXCEPT the headgasket, as well as all timing chain components and such.

fired it up today and let it run, starts dripping coolant out of the front of the head where it meets the block and top of the lower inner chain cover.  

I dont know why the car i got the motor from was parked/sold for $450 so i can assume that it might be the head gasket, as i changed all the other gaskets except that.  the coolant system isnt pressurized, and im not burning coolant.
 
Did i not seal something with RTV that i shouldve?   its not leaking from the front of the chain cover, or aound the t-stat housing or waterpump.  
Is it possible its leaking from behind the upper part of the lower chain case where it meets the block?  its not in the oil at all.

i dont wanna rip off the head if its the chain cover, or vise-verse.  anybody else have a leak fromt his spot??

nuvolarossa

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leaking coolant: front of head/block/timing cover
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2008, 02:42:44 AM »
my m44 have a leak at headgasket near the exhaust manifold, and coolant go down to the block. I have another leak at the thermostat , and this go down the front of engine near the pulleys. I'm not burning coolant too and never overheated...
I'm just checking it, until I'll have all tools to do the headgasket, as I want to renew ALL the coolant system there (all hoses, t-stat....).
It's a BIG leak?

nicknikolovski

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leaking coolant: front of head/block/timing cover
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2008, 04:35:49 AM »
Profile Gasket - sits in between upper & lower chain cases.

http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/profilegasket.jpg

Or head gasket - remove the timing covers, pressure test the cooling system and then see if it drips down near the chain.

vagrant_mugen

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leaking coolant: front of head/block/timing cover
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2008, 11:37:06 PM »
its steady enough to piss a litre over like 5-6miles of driving, but then stops around there.


i tought it was that stupid thing(profile gasket).  i changed it and didnt like how it went togehter in there, and spaced-out when i looked at it, not thinking about these re-percusions.  so back into the chain case i go.  ill take them all off and pressurized the coolant plumbing, then check the h-gasket.  hopfully ill get away with some RTV and a prayer(pressure test result dependant).

thank you folks for the help in diagnosis.  ill get this all checked out soon and then get back on track with everything else.

thanks guys,

-justin

Birdman16

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leaking coolant: front of head/block/timing cover
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2008, 01:57:45 PM »
Head gasket or cracked head.  Mine turned to be out both, and it was so warped, you didn't need a straight edge to tell.
From The Gumball Rally
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