I have a '84 Camaro with a pretty much brand new 350 engine that's given me quite a bit of trouble in the coolant area. When I first started driving the car the temp would get way up above 220--almost hitting 260, but always staying around there. The car went in for some repairs, etc., and I installed a new thermostat and it ran fine, in between 100-220, but recently it has started to act up again. About two days ago I started it up and heard a sort of 'pop'--since that point I've been leaking coolant from the front and back of my engine, one around the water pump and the other around the tranny. The car still cools, but not well at all--stays inbetween 220-260 like before. My coolant in the overflow tank was also a blueish color. Any ideas on problems or ways to diagnose? Thanks in advance!

 

stop driving it

sounds like a head or intake manifold gasket

i'd rip that manifold off QUICK

oil DOES NOT lubricate very well when mixed with water....

 

It could be a leaky hose,busted fan,faulty water pump(when they fail,they fail.water starts to go out the little hole at the bottom of it.

Also,the leak around your trany could be your freeze plugs that are located somewhere at the back of the engine block i if there the original ones they could be rusted out.

 

Either way, don't drive it until you have figured out where the leak is coming from, and then fix it. That is, unless you enjoy replacing engines.

If it is a rusted through freeze plug at the rear of the block, unfortunately, the trans is gonna have to come out to access the plugs. I have tried by just pulling the trans back, but it hits the trans tunnel, without enough room to get to anything.

Let us know what you have found out.

 

Well, I've checked it out up front and it appears to be the water pump--It's a damn old pump that needed to be replaced anyways, so that's good.

The leak in the back has stopped, though, so I really cant tell where it's coming from.

I also discovered that a little oil was coming out of my timing chain cover, down at the bottom where there seemed to be too little silicone. I put some more on there, but I dont know if that'll solve the problem. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

Might want to do the timing and oil pan gaskets while you're in there if you have access to an engine hoist.

Well get that new pump on there (if you can spring for the aluminum one, it is supposed to cool a bit better), and let us know how things are turning out.