Hello all,

Long-time lurker finally in over my head with this truck.

Long story short, I've a leak that's spewing coolant like a Prestone breathing dragon. See pics and my uploaded video to demonstrate the condition.

My pics on Google Photos

I cannot do the repair proper. I apologize if this offends anyone. Honest, I'm a man that makes great effort to do things the right way. For reasons I won't go into here on this public forum, please work with me here. No access to a welder, no access to an impact wrench, no tools to pull the crankshaft pulley off, and running out of time (this is my daily driver).

What is the best (economical+practical) way to stop this hole? I'm just looking to kick the can down the road when I have the time and wherewithal to do the job right. I don't put more than an hour's drive on this thing a day (to-and-fro). RTV Black Gasket Maker? JB Weld? I'm thinking/hoping since this hole is in the uppermost left-hand corner of the timing cover, that I can get away with something like these patchwork ideas. I don't mind layering Product Here over days, if I can strengthen it to withstand the PSI and heat.

Respectfully,
Bernie

 

Looks like part of the gasket is gone, you can try cleaning it with brake clean and putting on some silicone and see if it stops it.

 

Sorry, but I don't see anything applied from the outside standing up to the pressure. JB Weld doesn't work with coolant and will break down fast. If your reasons for not fixing properly are economical, maybe Harbor Freight prices might help.

 

There is no patch you can do. The cover needs to come off, and the gasket replaced. Otherwise, you are going to end up with coolant in the oil, and blow the motor.

 

What heyyou said.
Only way to fix it is the right way. Remove the cover, replace the gasket and add a nice bead of RTV.

 

I know the ideal fix would be to do it proper. I'm just in a position that I can't right now, and it's my daily driver.

Not to be a nag, and honestly I agree with you gentlemen, and trust me, it's is uncharacteristic of myself to even consider a "hack job", but it is what it is. In the other vein, isn't the cooling loop somewhere below 18PSI when running? If so, I think this is worth taking into consideration: http://www.repairproducts.co.uk/page42.htm about 2/3rds down the page, under section "How to Apply J-B WELD". Lists the PSI capability of JB Weld.
Click Here if repairproducts ever changes their JB-Weld PSI page; I've copied and hosted on my Google Photos account.

Please don't take this as me being a snob, or not listening to the sound, perfect advise of doing the job correctly with the right parts, the right tools, and the proper amount of time, in favorable conditions; I'm just stuck with my limited options, is all. I thank you all for your suggestions.

 

Wire brush and brake cleaner and then a thick bead of black or gray RTV. Do it on a week end so it has time to dry. Leave the radiator cap loose or find one that fits but has lower pressure. Put a small bead on first and try to force it in with your finger. Then put a larger bead over top. You read the other replies, you could make junk. Check your oil frequently for ant sign of oil. Repair properly AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

 

Bear in mind, any 'hack job' you do now, you get to clean up after later. Assuming there is a later...... If you try and do a work-around, you are inviting a much more expensive repair later. You would be FAR better off taking it off the road, and dealing with the issue now, while it is still relatively inexpensive, than trying some 'quick patch', that likely won't hold, and either overheating the motor, or smoking all the bearings.

 

no way to quick fix that that will actually work. sorry it is what it is.

 

I've used JB Weld on a radiator leak before. It was a nice flat part of the plastic end cap that had a small crack/hole. The hot coolant quickly degraded the JB weld and the leak came back.