I recently pulled my trans to install a transgo shift kit, and now that its out I can see a very small amount of coolant leaking. The strange part is that it isn't coming from the rear of the intake manifold like what I expected, it is accumulating on a bolt on the rear of the block just above the oil pan behind the flexplate. It looks like there are two of those identical bolts threaded into the block horizontally (90* to the pan bolts) on either side that I can see through the spaces in the flexplate just above the crankshaft. The right one is the one that is collecting the coolant around it.

I can't think of a better way to describe it but are these bolts directly connected to any water jackets or anything that would cause this type of leak? It isn't the easiest bolt to get out so I dont just want to take it out and see what happens. Any ideas? Thanks

-Adam

 

Also a few more pieces of info to help. It only leaks when the block is cold, and it is definitely coming from behind the flywheel. Could it possibly be a freeze plug leaking? If so where exactly are they located behind the flywheel?

 

The rear main seal retainer bolts?

No they don't go into water; at least, they're not SUPPOSED TO. The nearest water is quite some distance away from the crank (4" at least). But you could try putting some thread sealer on them. Your block might have a crack or porosity or whaterver right there.

Or, it could be leaking from one of the freeze plugs, and just accumulating where you see it.

I'm sure it still leaks when hot; the coolant just evaporates fast enough to where it doesn't puddle up.

 

ive seen a freeze plug only leak when it was cold and when the truck warmed up it stoped, untill the hole got a little bit bigger then it just pored out of it and it was real easy to find the leak