hey guys i haven't posted a whole lot cuz i haven't really had any problems with my truck since i started driving it, its an 87' standard cab pickup that i bought from a buddy about 10 months ago but i stated driving it on december 25th with a brand new motor. there's about 3000 miles on it now and everything is great except for my massive coolant leak. i know where it is its the plate on the back of the head that is a pain to get to...i don't know if its the gasket or if the plate itself is bad or if its just loose??? i just put in about a gallon of antifreeze in it and drove for about 4 miles and every bit of the coolant leaked out....so has anyone had this problem before or does anyone have some helpful advice??? anything will help at this point.

thanks,
Dayne

 

I guess this is a 4 cyl engine?

 

Yes, the 22r.

 

There is a gasket there. Maybe try tightening it first? It really is a pain to get at..

 

gear wrenches are your friend

 

gear wrenches? is that the same thing as rachet wrenches??

 

Seems a shame to risk burning up a new engine, tighten it, replace it, fix it. Good luck. What plate are you talking about, can't for the life of me picture it.

 

the one on the back of the head that the coolant runs through, it has 5 bolts running through it into the head.

 

IIRC it has something to do with cooling the EGR. Just go out, and fix it. Not much help we can really give you here, unless you want me to use my go-go gadget arms to fix it.

 

Yes...

 

yeah i am going to go out and fix it but i was just wondering if anyone has had the same problem that's all.

 

sure it's not the pipe that supplies coolant to the heater core? That pipe runs behind the engine and bolts to that 'plate' you're talking about.

 

well its possible, i'm not sure all i can see is coolant on top of the tranny and i can feel it on the bottom side of the head so who knows but i'll find out tomorrow and i'll let you guys know.

 

i know what your going through.

after dealing with a timing chain/hg i had forgot to put that plate on first before putting the head on the block. once on the block its a royal pita to tighten, them, let alone the pipes under neath with the tabs that can leak.

 

yeah for sure, i really don't wanna pull the head to make sure everything is tight...and finding time to go without my truck is kinda hard

 

x2 on the checking the heater core hoses, I had one not tightened all the way and I had so much coolant leak out it was dripping off my rocker panels under the door. Make sure there are no splits in the pipe and that the OEM clamps are on and tightly fitted.

The coolant can be coming from them but look like is coming from some where else once it gets hot and develops pressure and sprays out.

 

its just best to remove the head, check it out and use some red silicone

 

damn that means i have to wait until i can get a new head gasket lol o well i can handle the leak as long as i have some coolant in my toolbox.

 

hey, i finally got the leak fixed...after a couple days of refilling the radiator in a row i got sick of it...but the good news is is that i didn't have to take the head off! there was enough room in between the firewall and the head to stick an extension with a wobbly up there and tighten the bolts. one of the bottom ones was about 2 full turns loose and the others were loose too but not as bad. it's been fixed for about a week and i'm not having any overheating problems. and the wheelin's good!! just thought i'de update you guys

thanx