Coolant leak back of engine down oil pan, driver side

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OP
OP
I

InspectahDEck

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Posts
74
Reaction score
66
@treehan77 Yeah that's what I replaced two days ago. It was leaking there on the white T, but after fixing that, and confirming that area has stayed dry, is when I started looking it this further. The white Tee was visibly leaking (I could see it drip every 10 sec or so), so I did not bother to think there was a second leak somewhere.

After fixing that and the leaking continued, I got under the vehicle and can see coolant on the driver side of the oil pan, going up towards the back of the engine.

Digging around, I have seen mention of freeze plugs having issues. Are there freeze plugs up there that I can visibly see with an inspection mirror or similar before I commit to taking off the heads?
 

strutaeng

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2023
Posts
1,120
Reaction score
2,303
Location
Dallas, Texas
@treehan77 Yeah that's what I replaced two days ago. It was leaking there on the white T, but after fixing that, and confirming that area has stayed dry, is when I started looking it this further. The white Tee was visibly leaking (I could see it drip every 10 sec or so), so I did not bother to think there was a second leak somewhere.

After fixing that and the leaking continued, I got under the vehicle and can see coolant on the driver side of the oil pan, going up towards the back of the engine.

Digging around, I have seen mention of freeze plugs having issues. Are there freeze plugs up there that I can visibly see with an inspection mirror or similar before I commit to taking off the heads?
Yes. There's a large Allen head brass on the driver's side and a smaller one on the passenger side (have to remove the starter to see it) IIRC.

I think both a lower on the engine though. I don't believe the leak would show up behind the the transmission bellhousing(?)

Can you go rent a coolant pressure test kit from the local parts store? Pressurerize the system them go looking for the leak. I think there's even some dye you can add to help locate leaks?
 

strutaeng

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2023
Posts
1,120
Reaction score
2,303
Location
Dallas, Texas
I do have dye in the coolant, which in my second video of OP shows where it's dripping from, but that's about how far up I can see.

Would a head gasket combustion leak test kit work? If not I can try and rent a pressurized tester
Ah, ok. No wonder the coolant looked kinda bright?

You can try the combustion leak test, but that will only tell you if you have combustion glasses mixed into the coolant; you seem to have an coolant leak externally.

Your truck runs okay? No overheating, rough idle or gurgling on the coolant tank?

Was that you that created the recent thread about a leaking thermostat housing? Maybe I'm getting confused with that thread?

I have an engine block in my garage. I'll take some photos shortly so you can see the water passages and maybe that will help you...
 
OP
OP
I

InspectahDEck

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Posts
74
Reaction score
66
Your truck runs okay? No overheating, rough idle or gurgling on the coolant tank?

Yes runs fine, have not noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Was that you that created the recent thread about a leaking thermostat housing? Maybe I'm getting confused with that thread?

Yes that was me. I have sprung multiple leaks out of the blue within the last month. It started with the thermostat housing, I replaced that gasket and was still leaking. Then I saw it was leaking from the heater hose tee, so I replaced that. No I'm leaking from the back of the engine somewhere... I suppose they are all possibly related, but it's been one thing after another.

I have an engine block in my garage. I'll take some photos shortly so you can see the water passages and maybe that will help you...

I would appreciate that tyvm
 

strutaeng

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2023
Posts
1,120
Reaction score
2,303
Location
Dallas, Texas
Here you go. Those little "V" looking things on the deck are the coolant passages.

You can also see the Allen head coolant core plugs.

Try to get an inspection mirror so you can see the mating surface between your block and the heads. Maybe it's leaking from there?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20240830_100149606.jpg
    IMG_20240830_100149606.jpg
    297.2 KB · Views: 5
  • IMG_20240830_100157961.jpg
    IMG_20240830_100157961.jpg
    452.7 KB · Views: 5
  • IMG_20240830_100214162.jpg
    IMG_20240830_100214162.jpg
    366.6 KB · Views: 5
  • IMG_20240830_100223154.jpg
    IMG_20240830_100223154.jpg
    538.7 KB · Views: 5

Fless

Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
11,702
Reaction score
23,770
Location
Elev 5,280
Maybe the coolant crossover?

 
OP
OP
I

InspectahDEck

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Posts
74
Reaction score
66
@strutaeng Awesome, very helpful. I'm going to run and buy an inspection mirror so I can try and get a better look.

@Fless I just recently put new gaskets on the crossover at the front and am not seeing any leaking there (is there one on the back?)
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,012
Posts
1,860,956
Members
96,438
Latest member
HarpoMike

Latest posts

Top