1g leaking coolant

[Custom GSX]

Wonder if anyone has ran into this problem. I found that my 90 GSX is leaking coolant on the driver side of the engine. The stream is coming from above the cv axle on the driver side. I can't seen in there very well, so I'm not sure if it's the head gasket or the front cover?? It's to high and to far back to be the water pump I think. Any suggestions would be great....

 

[MHuddy1213]

take the whole timing belt cover off and look at it its the only way you can really find it your going to have to pull it all off anyways weather its a headgasket a freeze plug or a water pump so instead of guessing just take it apart and really see what it is

 

[jpv91120]

I was just trying to think of a way to find oh where it was coming from while still keeping the car running as that's the only time the leak showed. Taking the top timing belt cover off might make it easier to see. Could always pull the ac to get a better look although it would kinda suck. If it is the head gasket you may have coolant in your oil, could drain some oil and check. Another idea would be to use a long thin strip of cardbord and prob around behind there till it comes back wet.

 

[Custom GSX]

Ya it's hard to find but I just borrowed my buddies boroscope so I'm going to look with that. It should let me see the leak with being able to let the car get hot.ill keep you posted

 

[MHuddy1213]

im just saying buddy theres many things it could be and you should get it fixed its possible there could be some in the oil but just cause a headgasket blows dont mean there will be coolant in the oil but it is a good thing to check the oil will look milky if there is coolant in it the scope is a good idea without taking things apart sometimes hard to see with them but i just suggest waiting for a day off and pulling the belt cover if you cant figure it out with the scope you can run the car for a few mins while theyre off too but only for a few mins are you sure it only leaks when up to temp??

 

[Custom GSX]

Yep it held pressure with no leaks cold, and dropped 1psi every ten min and leakes when it's warm

 

[MHuddy1213]

how did it go with the scope?

i am believing that it is the waterpamp gasket leaking cause of the increas in pressure when it gets hot it is deffintaly possible it would be the freeze plug but more unlikley to only leak during higher pressure than the waterpump would how much presure are you putting when pressuring the system?

 

[jpv91120]

He said he put 15psi on it and it held for 30 min.

 

[MHuddy1213]

hmm that sounds about right to make sure your running the right psi take off the cap and check the psi rating on it if your building to much pressure due to the cap itll blow seals im just curious what you cap psi is

 

[jpv91120]

I really don't see it being the water pump gasket as the leak is coming down by the back right corner of the oil pan, the water pump is more up front. Could be anything right now and guessing is never the way to go but at least all of this is giving you ideas on what to check. Probably the least likely but still possible is a cracked head or block. Metal expands when cool so it only leaking when warm doesn't sound to crazy.

hmm ya good thoughts on the cap

 

[MHuddy1213]

i thought it was more towards the front maybe i m looking at the picture wrong

okay ya deffinatly looked at the picture wrong haha ya its on the right side of the hermonic balance the water pump is on the left side looking at the picture i dount believe its a freeze plug they dont tend to leak unless there is alot of water in the system that frezes and expands hence why they are called freeze plugs so it dont crack the block

 

[jpv91120]

That's why i like your idea on checking the radiator cap, if it isn't releaving the pressure when it is supposed to then your whole coolant system is going to have way to much pressure.

 

[MHuddy1213]

exactly and if his cap is at a higher pressure reading and hes only putting 15 psi into the system then he isnt going to find the leak since it is only leaking when hot if the cap is the problem he will still need to fix the original leak and change the cap

 

[Custom GSX]

Ok the cap reads 16 psi, Ive now put 16 psi in with the tester and cold still no leak. So I pulled the pulleys and timing cover and found dryed coolant under the water pump. Nothing out the weep holes. I believe I can put the crank and pump pulleys on with belt and run the car to operating temp. Then try to find the leak. So that's what I'm going to do.

Alright ran the car with the timing cover off till it got to operating temp. Honestly was waiting for my battery to die but it has not ! But any way I found the bracket holding the two timing belt idler pulleys and what the motor mount bolts to creating a stream from the bottom of it with no stream coming from above it. I'll post a pick here soon. Now my question does that have coolant running behind it??

 

[Gst to the max]

check the two water lines on the turbo my gst was leaking coolant a few days ago and when i would stand on the throttle at 15 pounds of boost you could smell coolant turns out when we bent the lines for the turbo one cracked the slightest bit and aloud coolant to spray out under pressure.

 

[Custom GSX]

not the turbo coolant lines, difinitly in the timing belt cover.

 

[Gst to the max]

well hope you get it fixed just throwing out all possible problems.. happy boosting

 

[Custom GSX]

Alright guys I found the problem, after removing the entire cover and timing belt and tenchinor with bracket I found the water pump gasket barley seeping. Damn water leaks I hate them. I am glad that it's not my head gasket that's for sure or even a freeze plug. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and possibilities !!!! This site is for sure the best on the web!!!!