Frost plugs??

[jimmers]

The past few days I have noticed a small coolant leak. After i drive the car there is usually a small pool of coolant sitting by the thermostat and a few drips on the ground. I figured it was the thermostat gasket but after looking at the car last night and checking it this morning there was a few drips on the ground and not by the thermostat. All hoses are brand new and the hose clamps are tight. Im just wondering if it could be the frost plugs? I'm not sure if thats what they are called now, but they are the engine draing plugs im assuming. Im just wondering where exactly they are located on my engine. Unless anyone else has any ideas as to where its leaking from.
Its a 90 L98. Thanks everyone.

 

[Edmond]

So you've narrowed it down to the front? There are various areas where it can leak from the front: the radiator itself, the cap, the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator.

Leaks are a PITA sometimes because it's not always easy tracking where the leak is coming from.

 

[jimmers]

So you've narrowed it down to the front? There are various areas where it can leak from the front: the radiator itself, the cap, the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator.

Leaks are a PITA sometimes because it's not always easy tracking where the leak is coming from.

Sorry I was in a rush when I lasted posted. I forgot to mention that it was dripping directly in the middle on the engine. The coolant is dripping off the frame.

 

[tigmaned]

you mean the engine freeze plugs, there some on both sides of the engine and in the back between the engine and tranny. also check the water pump they have whats called a weep whole at the bottom which lets you know the bearings are on the way out. by your post i can't tell if you mean front or back of engine?

 

[jimmers]

you mean the engine freeze plugs, there some on both sides of the engine and in the back between the engine and tranny. also check the water pump they have whats called a weep whole at the bottom which lets you know the bearings are on the way out. by your post i can't tell if you mean front or back of engine?

By looking at the drips is seems to be on the drivers side, near the rear of the engine. Is it easy to get at the freeze plugs? Is it possible that one of them is leaking?

 

[tigmaned]

usually they only go bad if they rust out, GM puts steel freeze plugs in but the one you get to replace them with are brass. getting to them is half the battle, and removing things out of your way. you have to put them in straight and tap them back into the block. are you sure its not coming from heater hoses on the pass side of the car going to the heater core. make real sure this is your problem.

 

[jimmers]

usually they only go bad if they rust out, GM puts steel freeze plugs in but the one you get to replace them with are brass. getting to them is half the battle, and removing things out of your way. you have to put them in straight and tap them back into the block. are you sure its not coming from heater hoses on the pass side of the car going to the heater core. make real sure this is your problem.

Well it cant be the freeze plugs then because nothing on the car is rusted. I bypassed the heater core a few weeks ago and added all new hoses. Ive triple checked all the hoses and connections so im positive its not any of them. I'm leaning more towards the water pump now like you said. Ill check later today and let you know. Thank you very much. You've been real helpful!

 

[Edmond]

Have you checked the freeze plugs? Let me know how hard those are to get to. I'm kind of curious to know myself just in case.

 

[John Robinson]

Hope its not this

I would take the radiator cap off bring the engine up to temperature enough to open the thermostat. I f there are air bubbles going past the opening then you should be looking for a blown head gasket. But before you panic go to a garage and have them put a preassure test on the coolant system. If there is a freeze plug or some other piece leaking it will show up then. That is a lot cheaper than throwing parts at it until it goes away.

 

[tigmaned]

if it was a freeze plug it would leak all the time. system is always under some pressure. i would think one of those by pass hoses is doing it? but your the only one looking at the car to tell really.

 

[jimmers]

Have you checked the freeze plugs? Let me know how hard those are to get to. I'm kind of curious to know myself just in case.

The freeze plugs were fine, no coolant what so ever. Only one of them really seemed easy to get at. But its a job I definitely wouldnt want to do. After looking at the water pump, the lower bolt holding it in was more then half way unscrewed!!ad It was all wet around that area with fresh drops, so hopefully that was my problem. I took the car for a ride and let it sit for a few hours afterwards. So far so good! Hopefully in the morning it will be the same result. Wish me luck!

 

[John Robinson]

You had a stroke

Yup if that is it you had a stroke of good luck

 

[Edmond]

It's good to hear when the simplest fix is the fix because the simplest fix is usually the cheapest fix.:L

 

[jimmers]

Well it looks like im not so lucky after all. This morning there was a ton of coolant on the driveway and on the engine. Looks like im back to where i started....:confused

 

[Vanity Plate Bob]

I suppose a freeze plug could rust from the inside?

I have read the freeze plugs are not for freezing purpose but is used in the process of manufacturing the engine.

 

[AdvancedAutoCC]

The past few days I have noticed a small coolant leak. After i drive the car there is usually a small pool of coolant sitting by the thermostat and a few drips on the ground. I figured it was the thermostat gasket but after looking at the car last night and checking it this morning there was a few drips on the ground and not by the thermostat. All hoses are brand new and the hose clamps are tight. Im just wondering if it could be the frost plugs? I'm not sure if thats what they are called now, but they are the engine draing plugs im assuming. Im just wondering where exactly they are located on my engine. Unless anyone else has any ideas as to where its leaking from.
Its a 90 L98. Thanks everyone.

Sounds like the good old L98 intake manifold leak for your description of it (they're notorious for leaking). It's considered by some to be a "rite of passage" into C4 ownership to reseal the intake manifold.:L

Seriously tho, L98 intakes are known for leaking in the front corners and in order to verify it, either borrow or rent a cooling system pressure tester.

 

[jimmers]

Sounds like the good old L98 intake manifold leak for your description of it (they're notorious for leaking). It's considered by some to be a "rite of passage" into C4 ownership to reseal the intake manifold.:L

Seriously tho, L98 intakes are known for leaking in the front corners and in order to verify it, either borrow or rent a cooling system pressure tester.

This past spring the intake gasket was replaced. I figured it could be the same thing again, but from what i can see the gasket is bone dry. Its really weird because today it hasnt leaked a drop, but yesterday it was everywhere. I think right now the best thing to do is get it pressure tested.

 

[jimmers]

Well guys ive been really trying to find this leak, but it seems to come and go. I posted a pic with this thread so that someone can see where the coolant is and hopefully help me with a solution. Its hard to tell but there is a pool of coolant sitting in the circled area. I drove it all day yesterday and not a drop, but this morning it was back. All i can really think of is the thermostat gasket is bad, but is was replaced this past spring aswell as everything else!!ad
Please help, maybe I am missing somthing.....