Ok, I've never had this happen before... I just replaced the water pump on my '87 318. When I removed the long bolt (the bottom of the two that also hold the smog pump on, and have a spacer behind them), it was wet. And I mean the threads were actually wet.

When I put in the new pump, a small leak developed, coming out under the head of that bolt and trickling down the smog pump bracket. I tried tightening... lasted for a minute or so. I then removed the bolt, and coolant GUSHED out of the hole. I slathered up the threads and shaft of the bolt, put it back in and so far there is no leak.

Is there a crack in the block or something major I should be worried about because of this?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

 

That bolt goes into the water jacket.

 

Ok, so that bolt goes INTO the water jacket?? I'm not a genius at this stuff, so do you mean it goes in next to the water jacket and that means there's a crack in the block and it's time to dump this thing??? Serioulsy, should I sell it or what?

 

A-ha! I just found an answer on this that explained it so an "Engines For Dummies" book reader like me could understand. This source said that those bolts pass THROUGH a water jacket like Charlie1935 said. That's weird to me, but whatever. They said to do what I did with sealant or teflon tape. Told you I wasn't a genius! LOL! Guess there's nothing to be scared of... I just suffer from Murphey's Law syndrom.

Thanks Charlie1935 for the quick answer!

 

if you ever have to replace the nuts and bolt on the exhaust manifold. there are 2 holes on each head that go into the water jacket.