about how much coolant could i expect for this leak? it looks like it's draining down both sides of the timing chain cover. normally i would think it would be that bypass hose, but i just replaced it. it only leaks when it's cold, or it has a few drops after long drives. but cold it's the worst. i don't have time to pull apart the accessory housing, as heyyou knows i don't have the time up here at school lol. thanks in advance

 

Trouble is, if it is leaking external, there is a chance it will leak internally as well, and you will get coolant in the oil. That will smoke bearings rather quickly.

Mine was pissing a pretty good stream by the time I figured out where it was coming from. None into the oil though fortunately.

Where ya at?

 

I'll look at the oil tomorrow see if it looks abnormal. I'm in williamsport pa at penn tech. lemme tell ya this thing is problem after problem lol

 

I had a similair issue but it was leaking from the thermostat housing and running down the block.

 

good idea, I'll give that a look. i know my housing is real rusty from when i did the bypass hose. but I'm pretty sure i see the gasket blown out on the side. thanks for the suggestion

 

Mine was leaking at the thermostat hose, bypass hose, and timing chain cover. The last person to ATTEMPT to put the thermostat hose on correctly only half-way put the clamp on the thermo housing, and ended up slicing the hose with the spring clamp. I replaced the hose and used a new hose clamp. Also replaced bypass hose, timing chain, gasket, etc. etc etc when doing my plenum kit replacement this past weekend. Then when we were done, made a rookie mistake...didn't close the rad cap all the way. Under the hood pretty much everything got a great shower of coolant. Luckily, noticed it while still at the shop, and filled the rad back up with 50/50 then put the cap on correctly. As far as I can tell, no leaks now.

 

how difficult is the timing chain gasket? I'm pretty sure that's what it is. i can see a lot of the gasket sticking out of the top. if it's too difficult I'm probably gonna take one of the offers i got on craigslist. got fed up with it and put it up there. if anyone wants my problem here's the link http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/4764474851.html

 

Nothing is HARD about doing it. It just takes a lot of time to remove everything to get to it. If you do that but haven't replaced your timing chain, I'd strongly consider doing that as well.

 

from the accessory bracket off and everything how long should it take? i can get that off in about 20 minutes. is it possible to keep the water pump on? putting that on is a PITA i don't think i would want to do while replacing the gasket

 

Most of the bolts that hold the water pump on, also hold the timing cover to the block. If some flavor of gasket sealer was used on BOTH sides of the gasket when the pump was installed, you could prolly just leave it in place, and get away with it. Makes life a bit more challenging though..... The timing cover set comes with a W/P gasket though. (hint hint. )

I think start to finish, including cleanup, it took me about 3-4 hours to do the timing chain and gears. (chain and gears are a two minute just once the cover is off.) I work slow though, and tend to be a bit OCD about cleaning stuff.....