Strange leak

[James1975 2]

I noticed coolant underneath the engine, upon investigation i noticed the coolant seeping out of the bottom of 2 of the head bolt studs at the back of the block, i recently had the head done and done all the usual torque settings and brand new head gasket.

 

Is this a case of going round again and re-torqing the bolts?

 

its not a lot but over time it will be.

Edited December 15, 2023 by James1975

[pugdamo 111 2 Cars]

As you look at the engine does the rear left head bolt have 2 spacers on it? Should be one washer like all the other head bolts and a bigger one underneath it.

[James1975 2]

yes it has the spacer on the top left of the head with washer, thats not the one leaking, if it didn't, it would punch through to the water pump.

[jord294 87]

Got exactly same situation with customers car. Sadly though, some inexperienced person has wound head bolt down without spacers, and cracked block. Then tried to fix it with metal putty

[James1975 2]

i can see the bottom of the threads, they are seeping from 2 of them, the threads are exposed.

[welshpug 1,622]

Sounds like the block has cracked, have had this twice on the same engine.

[barneys66 120 1 Cars]

My block had a weep so it got a bottle of Radweld - that was 2017 and it's been abused a lot since and not a drop..

 

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[Leslie green 81]

Will likely be a crack as said , not that easy spotted ,mine was down the back on the block you need the car up on ramps to see it and will leak a lot more when warm .

[James1975 2]

because its recently had a new head and stretch bolts i thought i would go back and check the bolts and sure enough they needed to go a bit more to get to the original torque settings

 

The leaks through the bolts have now stopped, must of been getting past the head gasket which is also new.

 

will keep an eye on it, ran it up to temp and fan came on and still no leaks.

 

Fingers crossed