QuestionQUESTION: Hi - I am seeing coolant leak rather profusely - it is falling somewhere above
the front part of the transmission so that I am seeing it drip from the bottom
of the transmission. I can't see where it is leaking from, but i need a list of
things to check. Obviously, I will check the headgasket, but I just replaced
that, so I sure hope that isn't it. Are there any freeze plugs back there? Any
other place where coolant could leak that far back on the engine?
ANSWER: Jon, if it's a big leak, it should be easy to find. No freeze plugs back there. Did you have the head resurfaced when you replaced the head gasket?
Mark
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I didn't have it resurfaced, sadly, no. I was trying to do things on a tight
budget. It was very clean and had a good edge. I also re-used the head
bolts. I suppose that perhaps even though I torqued them correctly that they
could have slipped since those bolts are supposed to stretch. But I read
somewhere online that you can re-use the bolts once or twice without much
trouble.
What is the practice - resurfacing the bottom and the top part of the head?
Answer Jon, place a machinist's straight edge diagonally across the bottom of the head. The surface must be pristine clean. Try sliding feeler guages under the straight edge. If you can get .003-.004" under it, Resurface the head. Then check the other diagonal. I always resurface them. Usually $25-45.00 depending who you know. I've heard reusing the bolts is ok also, I just never do so I'm never in the posiion you are right now.VBG
Mark
