myzticc66

Hey everyone, I have a couple problems. First off I have a leaking intake manifold gasket. I am just going to replace the manifold and gasket. I used JB weld as a temporary fix and for the most part it has worked well. The car runs fine and runs at around 200 degrees it does go up to about 220 in town but cools back down to 200 once I'm on the highway. after driving the car I can see small pools of coolant around the manifold but not much. I think the heat of the engine burns it up while driving. The coolant reservoir goes down about a half inch. So here's the weird problem, I noticed a small pool of coolant on the floor center of car at the firewall. It does not show up until 24 hours or more after driving the car. I added dye to the coolant and found the leak is coming from right above the starter. I cant see it looking down from the top of the engine. I have to get under the car to see it. Is there a freeze plug above the starter? I do not see any of the dye towards the back of the manifold near the distributer. Is it possible I'm just not seeing it? and is there a good spot to get a peek at that frost plug? The heater hoses are fine. Thanks! 87 Iroc Z 305 TPI

Ron U.S.M.C.

I have re-torqued the manifold bolts before and that worked.
Its amazing how they can back out some.

As far as leaks go the dye is good and will allow you to find even the tiny ones.
You might want to look over the entire engine a few times especially after one leak has been fixed.
Others like to spring up at that time.= pressure.

Take a good look at and around the heater control valve.
There are several places they like to leak from and will leave coolant on the passenger side of the intake manifold and just about anything below it.

Also you will need to clean off any coolant that leaks really well to get rid of the dye on the engine in order to use the dye again.

myzticc66

Thanks I will look that over. I will try and re torque those bolts this coming weekend.

jeremyb1988

How are things coming along...do they make remanufactured bolts for the intake manifold? Mine look like at one point when my old mechanic worked on them he really stripped them out to the point where u may could back them out...but probably never torque them again...impact drivers I assume are the culprit...

myzticc66

Mine look ok. Have not had the chance to do any work yet. I would imagine you can find them somewhere. Havent looked into it. Ricks Camaros or Hawks for sure. But I bet you could get them at Oreillys.

myzticc66

http://www.hawksmotorsports.com/87-9...nner-bolt-kit/

jeremyb1988

Thanks!!!

myzticc66

After taking a longer look with a snake camera I can see coolant back below the distributor. I have to think this is all coming from the intake manifold and making its way down above the starter. I cant see the frost plug back there? Man its tough to see back there. So anyhow I guess I will replace the manifold and gasket. I know for sure that's bad. I can actually see the coolant bubbling of the intake when the engine is warm.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Probably no need to replace the manifold; just the gasket should do.

Might even just be that chinesium fitting for the heater hose back there, right under the dist on the pass side.

myzticc66

Yeah Im going to get a better look next weekend.I just have not had the time. Thanks for the response. Im just happy its probably not a freeze plug.

myzticc66

Yep definitely the intake manifold. I can follow the dyed coolant from the manifold passenger side close to the firewall all the way down. I had to use a mini snake camera to see it.