Signs of a leaky LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD gasket???

[gasoline_fiend]

So, what exactly are the tell-tale signs that the lower-intake manifold gasket is leaking?

I have another damn coolant leak, but I don't necessarily think its the LIM. The last leak was the water pump, which I changed, and I'm certain thats not the culprit now.

I haven't seen any signs of coolant in the oil, I changed the plugs (at least the front 3 I can get to) they look fine, no signs of sludge, and no white smoke while running. The only problems besides the leak are a hellacious vibration from a busted motor mount around 45+mph, and need of alignment. Which, if anyone has any tips for getting the driver side tranny mount off, I'd REALLY apppreciate them.

I'm partially leaning to a possible freeze plug leak in the rear head, as the leak seems to work its way down the rear of the engine. But it's a steady drip now, and leaves a small puddle.

I changed the waterpump b/c the serpentine belt literally fell apart, and started to overheat, but I got it shut down as soon as she let go. So I'm thinking, (and hoping) that a freeze plug has partially popped, instead of the LIM leaking.

Thoughts?????

Oh, and quick replies GREATLY needed. Thanks

[nice96gt]

Your problem sounds very similar to mine. Does it leak out at the front of the wheel well. Mine is running down onto the tensioner, onto the pulley below it, onto the frame and then the ground. I usually get a small puddle every night. Nothing too extensive, but enough to bring it down over time. I was thinking it may be a frost plug also, but I haven't had a chance to look into it. I'm going to try and find out what the problem is in the next little while so I'll let you know if I find anything.

[doobiess]

ok a couple ideas for ya guys... first would be have you ever tested your coolant for the condition it is... making sure it wont lead to a boil over at all? because if its mainly water that can cause that prob.... get a 2$ antifreeze tester and it will tell ya...

Next would be do you know for sure that your resivior cap is holding pressure ok... or is it not holding pressure causing boil over ?

And if its just a small trace of antifreeze you could pour in some stop leak stuff to see that will get it...sometimes little pin holes can start somewhere in the rad which i doubt or.... it could be a coolant line that just needs replacing...

Oh one more are your carpets wet all the time? or have any smell of antifreeze when you turn the heat on in the car? just let the car get to normal operating temp... without any heat or fan on ... then turn on high put it on vent and see if its a nasty smell of coolant if so... heater core

[gasoline_fiend]

1. Just recently flushed the system, all clean coolant 50/50 mix.
2. The cap seems fine, gives off a pressurized hiss when removing it hot.
3. No wet carpet, though I have noticed a faint smell of coolant coming from the vents recently, off and on. Though I've only had the ACon , as turning the heat on here, this time of year, you'd just drop dead.

The leak is definitely coming from the engine itself, because it's dripping down to under the crank pulley, and onto the frame from there. And it's no longer a "small" puddle. Sh*t. :mad:

I've already tried using stop-leak type stuff, when the water pump started leaking, to no avail. So I'm not using it again, having just flushed all that crap out of the system.

Guess I'll have to end up tearing into this thing anyhow, just to find out what the hell is up. Dammit, dammit, dammit.

[HeyDace]

Its leaking at the back of the engine, but puddling under the crank? Strange. Any way a leaking LIM would show signs at the back of the engine under the T-bore, then pooling between the block and trans.
Or, (just remembered seeing this) the timing case cover, that houses the chain, gears and pump can leak. Seen it once. The gasket between the case and block leaked. Best bet would be to pressurize the system and check in that area (around the front of the engine) Good luck.

[nice96gt]

Originally posted by gasoline_fiend
1. Just recently flushed the system, all clean coolant 50/50 mix.
2. The cap seems fine, gives off a pressurized hiss when removing it hot.
3. No wet carpet, though I have noticed a faint smell of coolant coming from the vents recently, off and on. Though I've only had the ACon , as turning the heat on here, this time of year, you'd just drop dead.

The leak is definitely coming from the engine itself, because it's dripping down to under the crank pulley, and onto the frame from there. And it's no longer a "small" puddle. Sh*t. :mad:

I've already tried using stop-leak type stuff, when the water pump started leaking, to no avail. So I'm not using it again, having just flushed all that crap out of the system.

Guess I'll have to end up tearing into this thing anyhow, just to find out what the hell is up. Dammit, dammit, dammit.

God, it sounds exactly like the problem I'm having. I don't think it's the heater core even though you smell coolant. I can smell a bit too when I turn it over to heat but I think it's only smells like that because it's leaking in the engine bay and the smell is getting blown into the car. Cap seems fine on mine as well. I would know if it's boiling over because there would be some coolant residue on the bottle. I am still looking into it and hopefully will solve the problem soon.

I've attached a pic to show you where my leak seems to be coming from.This is right beside the motor mount and above the tensioner

[gasoline_fiend]

Thats about the same area as mine. Welcome to my hell!!! :blake: I took the tensioner off to get a better look up into the wheelwell, and it's all clean behind it, and on most of the face of the block. I still think it looked like it was coming from around that freeze plug in the end of the cylinder head. Weird. The engine doesn't seem to be running any hotter. (yet)

I'm just hoping it's an EXternal leak, thats just a p.i.t.a. rather than a destructive internal one. I wanna pull one of the rear spark plugs to check, but thats not exactly easy. The front three were all fine, though.

Note* And by back of the motor, I mean the firewall side, but up by the alternator, belt, etc. Damn horizontally mounted engines.:D

[nice96gt]

I have no problem with temperature yet. I've topped it up twice since I noticed the leak. My leak has been on and off for about 3 weeks now. What size is the leak on the ground when you come out in the morning? Mine goes from 3 inches in diameter one day, to 10 inches another day.

[RocketFast321]

this where is leaking at on our 97, not that bad thought

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/attachment.php?postid=243632

[HeyDace]

Originally posted by gasoline_fiend
Thats about the same area as mine. Welcome to my hell!!! :blake: I took the tensioner off to get a better look up into the wheelwell, and it's all clean behind it, and on most of the face of the block. I still think it looked like it was coming from around that freeze plug in the end of the cylinder head. Weird. The engine doesn't seem to be running any hotter. (yet)

I'm just hoping it's an EXternal leak, thats just a p.i.t.a. rather than a destructive internal one. I wanna pull one of the rear spark plugs to check, but thats not exactly easy. The front three were all fine, though.

Note* And by back of the motor, I mean the firewall side, but up by the alternator, belt, etc. Damn horizontally mounted engines.:D

That could still be a LIM, I've seen them leak there also. Typically they leak in the back, like Rocket's LIM.

[saltystix]

Where Rockets leak is/was... is where mine was. I got it fixed and it was the LIM. But yeah, that is the same place the leak was.