Cooling Discuss all of the aspects of cooling that you can think of! Radiators, transmissions, electric fans, etc.

Bad Coolant Leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 26, 2016 | 05:40 PM
  #1  
evan555222's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Mountlake Terrace, WA
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6 LH0
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Bad Coolant Leak

Hello. I drive a 1991 Firebird with a 3.1L V6. Earlier today, the vehicle ran out of coolant. I added more and noticed that the coolant seems to be leaking out of the small hole on the bottom of the flexplate (torque converter?) cover. Where do you guys think this leak could be coming from?
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 07:04 PM
  #2  
OrangeBird's Avatar
Supreme Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 801
Car: 1989 Firebird
Re: Bad Coolant Leak

Originally Posted by evan555222
Hello. I drive a 1991 Firebird with a 3.1L V6. Earlier today, the vehicle ran out of coolant. I added more and noticed that the coolant seems to be leaking out of the small hole on the bottom of the flexplate (torque converter?) cover. Where do you guys think this leak could be coming from?
If it's dry at the top back of the engine , where the intake manifold meets the heads , and if your 100% certain it is coming out of the torque converter cover from the little weep hole at the bottom of the cover , then the most likely candidate is the block plugs (sometimes called "freeze plugs") at the back of the engine (behind the flexplate on the engine side) . If so , The transmission will have to be removed to gain access to replace the leaking plugs . When it happened to mine , I took that as my cue to pop the engine out , throw a fresh gasket kit at it with a timing chain & gears , and all new brass block plugs rather than the cheaper ones that corrode quicker .

Good Luck with it ......
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 09:36 PM
  #3  
antares57's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 661
Likes: 7
From: Texas
Car: 91 Firebird/88 Firebird/91 Formula
Engine: V6 3.1/V8 5.0/V8 5.0
Transmission: 4L60/700R4/4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.73/2.73
Re: Bad Coolant Leak

Here is where mine was pouring out of. And the lower one had almost rusted through as well.
Attached Thumbnails Bad Coolant Leak-20160124_140537.jpg   Bad Coolant Leak-20160124_142644.jpg  
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 09:44 PM
  #4  
evan555222's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Mountlake Terrace, WA
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6 LH0
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Bad Coolant Leak

Originally Posted by OrangeBird
The transmission will have to be removed to gain access to replace the leaking plugs . When it happened to mine , I took that as my cue to pop the engine out , throw a fresh gasket kit at it with a timing chain & gears , and all new brass block plugs rather than the cheaper ones that corrode quicker .
My engine also needs a new rear main seal, so I might go ahead and use this as an excuse to take care of that as well.
Reply
Old May 26, 2016 | 09:45 PM
  #5  
evan555222's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Mountlake Terrace, WA
Car: 1991 Firebird
Engine: 3.1L V6 LH0
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Stock
Re: Bad Coolant Leak

Antares: Yeah, I'd say those look pretty bad.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FireBired
Tech / General Engine
22
Jul 23, 2024 03:39 PM
the breeze
Firebirds for Sale
3
May 22, 2016 06:30 PM
mrestrictrplate
Transmissions and Drivetrain
6
Apr 15, 2016 08:08 AM
Mattkovitch
Cooling
2
Mar 19, 2016 11:02 AM
Matthew1
Camaros for Sale
0
Mar 18, 2016 02:40 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:03 PM.