21 replies to this topic

[Preludedude]

(PICS BELOW)

So I'm tired of tearing this car down repeatedly....

First, I blew a metal AJUSA head gasket in June at the drag strip, and installed a new FelPro head gasket, and car ran fine for a week or so....(i didnt have the block decked when I rebuilt it)

After a week or so, I developed a coolant leak it seemed between 2nd and 3rd runner on intake manifold. But on the bottom where its very hard to see. It would run down beside that small freeze plug right above where the balance shaft cover is, and then drip onto starter, and then onto the ground....

So 2 weeks ago, I took intake manifold off and cleaned off all the old gasket because I had used a gasket and gasket sealer. (When I first cranked the engine 2 years ago, it leaked from intake manifold, and I removed it and saw it needed resurfacing. So I paid $25 and had it resurfaced, and it looked perfect. I didnt have any leaks at all up until now). So after cleaning and scraping the surface and using a dremel with a small polish brush, I had it very smooth and clean.

So yesterday, I installed a new Felpro gasket and got everything back together. The car ran fine, and still had a very tiny leak still but it wasnt running down, so it was a very slow leak.

I take the car for a drive today, to check for leak again, and I saw it overheating to 220+ so I pull over. I pop the hood and its spraying coolant from that spot under the intake manifold. I can hear it sizzling and everything is wet.

Does this sound like I need to try another intake manifold? This may be a dumb question, but could it actually be leaking between the head and block? There is a water jacket right near there...Or could the head need resurfacing? This was a new NJV head from DAD. Everything has less than 3k miles on it....

As for the intake manifold, from the first resurfacing, it seems I shouldn't have it resurfaced again. It did take a good bit of metal away.

I'm tired of taking this motor apart....

Can anyone give me some insight?

Thank you.

Mark

Edited by Preludedude, 08 September 2017 - 02:49 PM.

[scott87star]

The TBI manifold has coolant flowing through it, wonder if you got a crack there somehow.  Or possibly the hose connection?

[Preludedude]

Here are some pics I took when replacing the head gasket...

I circled in yellow the area where I am having an issue...

[Preludedude]

scott87star, on 08 September 2017 - 02:49 PM, said:

The TBI manifold has coolant flowing through it, wonder if you got a crack there somehow.  Or possibly the hose connection?

I checked the coolant passages when I was cleaning up the surface and didn't see any cracks or defects....

Edited by Preludedude, 08 September 2017 - 02:52 PM.

[speedyquest]

Have you had your heads intake gasket surface flat? I'd imagine that is probably your issue. The intake manifold is only half the equation.

[Preludedude]

No I didn't have the new head surface done.

[StarquestRescue]

I have seen head studs/nuts loosen up. Maybe check them.

[Bradrock]

I have used flourescent dye & a black light to locate stubborn leaks. You may be able to borrow a kit from an auto parts store.

[Funky Phil]

If it overheated and blew a gasket, it needs resurfaced.

[93 GSX TURBO]

Have you tried doing a pressure test?  That way you can locate the source without risking overheating again and easier to look around without the engine running.

[Preludedude]

StarquestRescue, on 08 September 2017 - 07:50 PM, said:

I have seen head studs/nuts loosen up. Maybe check them.

I have ARP studs and I did check them and they are all snug and fully torqued....

Funky Phil, on 08 September 2017 - 09:53 PM, said:

If it overheated and blew a gasket, it needs resurfaced.

The car didn't overheat when it blew head gasket at the drag strip...it just started leaking water into cylinder 4.  

Or do you mean the head needs to be resurfaced? Where Intake bolts to it?

93 GSX TURBO, on 08 September 2017 - 10:16 PM, said:

Have you tried doing a pressure test?  That way you can locate the source without risking overheating again and easier to look around without the engine running.

I may try that.  I need to locate where this leak is for sure before I start tearing down again



I am going to get a camera auto tool so I can get a better look under the manifold.  A small mirror on a telescoping rod just doesn't get a good angle.  It's very tight under the manifold.  

[88351wtsi]

While you have it off get it resurfaced or at least checked by a machine shop on all 3 sides,  take  He exhaust manifold and intake while you are at it. Before you put it back together check the block deck with a straight edge and feeler gauge. You and/or the machine shop should find your problem. After get a good head gasket and of course exhaust and intake gaskets. Before you start it back up pressure test it for insurance that there isn't anything else going on with the intake or hoses.

Just my opinion but it's better to spend a few extras now than a lot more later and end up doing it over.

[Bradrock]

I'm surprised that a brand new head would need so much machine work. It's a good thing to know ahead of time.
and I learned something today, so that's good too.

[Preludedude]

Bradrock, on 09 September 2017 - 10:23 PM, said:

I'm surprised that a brand new head would need so much machine work. It's a good thing to know ahead of time.
and I learned something today, so that's good too.

I'm still not sure it's the head.  Time will tell.  

One lesson, I SHOULD have had the block decked when it was at the machine shop.  

But I'm ordering a inspection camera and when it arrives, I will find for sure where's it's leaking from....

[importwarrior]

Do you have a straight edge? You can always check i5 if the head is off.
Not to expensive to get one and check the deck.

[Preludedude]

Finally got in the garage to find this leak....

Bought a Whistler WIC-5000 Camera...It was $79 at Advanced Auto, but I got on EBAY and found a new one for $35 shipped. It works great.



Either way, the leak is coming betwen the head and block. I can see it seeping ALOT when the engine is idling and hot...Its right above the freeze plug. But it is DEFINITELY coming from between the block and head....It was basically pouring out...Not dripping....

So now what to do.....

First Ill check ARP head studs and MAKE SURE they are tight and fully torqued before I remove this head again....

Second, Ill guess Ill remove the head if necessary, and check the surface on the block and head...See which ones needs resurfacing...

If it is the block, I guess I get to tear down the WHOLE block back to bare and start from scratch?

[Funky Phil]

You have to remove the head to clean it up. Otherwise, that water will prevent good seal.

[Preludedude]

So if the block needs decking, then I have to disassemble everything down to a bare block don't I?

I seen Randy said in another thread, to have the block decked with the front timing cover installed....

[Dad]

Preludedude, on 08 September 2017 - 02:49 PM, said:

Here are some pics I took when replacing the head gasket...

I circled in yellow the area where I am having an issue...

I suspect head is warped from previous failure. Overheat.  Take a good look on exhaust  side top off block. I see a line from head stud towards water hole, is that a crack?

Dad

[Preludedude]

When I get the head pulled, I will take a good look over everything.  I didn't see a crack when I did the headgasket fix. I cleaned block very good and nothing stood out to me
BUT
I'm leaning towards a LS swap in the future I think.  I just need a fabricator to help me.