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Timing Cover Leak

Discussion in '4 Cylinder' started by afd23a, Sep 30, 2010.

  1. Sep 30, 2010 at 9:37 AM
    #1
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The Dynamo of Dixie
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    Factory Fog Lights, Removed Secondary Air Filter, Metra Ipod Adapter, Int Wiper Stalk, Wet Okole's, URD Short Shifter, Scanguage II w/Blendmount, Fat Bob's 2.75" spacer lift, ARE topper, SP Performance Pads & Slotted Rotors, 4.10 gears
    Anyone had any leaks around the front engine cover? Cost to have it fixed?

    I've heard some folks have had the crankshaft seal replaced (and that seems to be leaking a little oil too) but I think I've got a coolant leak coming from behind the alternator and belt tensioner area. I don't think it's the water pump gasket because I see what I think is coolant on the side of the block.

    Any input is appreciated.
     
  2. Oct 1, 2010 at 9:01 PM
    #2
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Factory Fog Lights, Removed Secondary Air Filter, Metra Ipod Adapter, Int Wiper Stalk, Wet Okole's, URD Short Shifter, Scanguage II w/Blendmount, Fat Bob's 2.75" spacer lift, ARE topper, SP Performance Pads & Slotted Rotors, 4.10 gears
    Here's a pic of the leak. I guess it could be the water pump, but I'm still thinking the timing cover.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Oct 1, 2010 at 9:02 PM
    #3
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    That just looks like it seeped a little. I dont think I would even worry about it.
     
  4. Oct 1, 2010 at 9:17 PM
    #4
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The Dynamo of Dixie
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    Factory Fog Lights, Removed Secondary Air Filter, Metra Ipod Adapter, Int Wiper Stalk, Wet Okole's, URD Short Shifter, Scanguage II w/Blendmount, Fat Bob's 2.75" spacer lift, ARE topper, SP Performance Pads & Slotted Rotors, 4.10 gears
    Thanks for the response Chris. yeah normally I'd wash it off and then see how much it seeps again later, but my last oil analysis looked like there was some coolant in the oil. Not enough to cause a panic, but noticed the seepage afterwards. Changed my coolant a couple weeks ago (a couple weeks after the oil change) and have been topping it off a little at a time since. Didn't really pay attention until I topped it off earlier this week. Been checking it everyday since and it hasn't gone down yet this week. Maybe I'm making it into too big of an issue.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Oct 1, 2010 at 9:54 PM
    #5
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Iron looks above average.....They didnt list how much coolant was in it?Was it un measurable?
     
  6. Oct 1, 2010 at 9:57 PM
    #6
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

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    Coolant in oil is bad... That can cause spun rod bearing pretty quick. The most common way of coolant mixing with oil is blown headgasket... Do compression test and if one or more cylinders is lower than factory specs, your headgasket is most likely blown.

    How many miles on the engine? Did you ever over-heat the engine?
     
  7. Oct 1, 2010 at 10:39 PM
    #7
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Close to 100k, never overheated. I know the headgasket is the probably the most common cause of coolant in the oil. I just don't think it's the head gasket after seeing the seepage on the front of the engine. I'm thinking about taking another oil sample soon and see what that shows.
     
  8. Oct 1, 2010 at 10:44 PM
    #8
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

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    It could be two different unrelated problems...
     
  9. Oct 1, 2010 at 11:02 PM
    #9
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The Dynamo of Dixie
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    I think so. I think coolant was suspected because of the concentration of other elements (sodium and silicon). When I called, the tech who did the analysis wasn't in that day. Then I had to go out of town for a couple of weeks and never called back. I guess the actual coolant had evaporated out of the oil and the residual mineral deposits were left. I guess since the iron and silicon both went up, they could just be due to dirt and not so much coolant.
     
  10. Oct 1, 2010 at 11:11 PM
    #10
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Very true.....not sure how exactly to figure that out though. I could have an air intake leak post the filter causing the iron and silicon concentrations. I checked all my vacuum lines and didn't see any obvious leaks. Also changed the plugs last weekend and they all looked worn but okay.
     
  11. Oct 1, 2010 at 11:13 PM
    #11
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    BTW, thanks for the help guys
     
  12. Oct 2, 2010 at 6:30 AM
    #12
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Only the water in the coolant will evaporate. The iron and silicon are very indicative of dirt. What air filter are you running?
     
  13. Oct 2, 2010 at 6:32 AM
    #13
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Factory Fog Lights, Removed Secondary Air Filter, Metra Ipod Adapter, Int Wiper Stalk, Wet Okole's, URD Short Shifter, Scanguage II w/Blendmount, Fat Bob's 2.75" spacer lift, ARE topper, SP Performance Pads & Slotted Rotors, 4.10 gears
    Was running an AFE Pro Dry S. After that analysis came back, I changed it out to a Napa Gold to see if that makes a difference.
     
  14. Oct 2, 2010 at 7:12 PM
    #14
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The Dynamo of Dixie
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    Factory Fog Lights, Removed Secondary Air Filter, Metra Ipod Adapter, Int Wiper Stalk, Wet Okole's, URD Short Shifter, Scanguage II w/Blendmount, Fat Bob's 2.75" spacer lift, ARE topper, SP Performance Pads & Slotted Rotors, 4.10 gears
    Took off the alternator and belt tensioner today to get a better look at the leaking. Here's what I found.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    :(
     
  15. Oct 2, 2010 at 8:33 PM
    #15
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    I still dont think it looks like enough to worry about. Are you leaving puddles of oil under the truck? Is it making it to the frame?
     
  16. Oct 2, 2010 at 8:40 PM
    #16
    TRDKenE

    TRDKenE DAMN GOOD DEAL!!

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    Yea I was gonna say I don't really see a leak. You may be making this a bigger ordeal then what it really is...
     
  17. Oct 2, 2010 at 9:19 PM
    #17
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    You guys might be right. I might be making it out to be a bigger deal than it is. There aren't any puddles or anything like that under the truck. I just got a little spooked with the oil analysis. Then after changing the coolant and having to top it off several times made me start to wonder if I actually had a leak somewhere.

    Thanks again for the feedback guys. I've never had a head gasket leak, only valve covers. Just don't want to cause any major damage to my truck by ignoring what might be warning signs of a major problem. I cleaned some of the gunk off the engine today and I'm going to keep an eye on it to see if it gets any worse.
     
  18. Oct 2, 2010 at 9:34 PM
    #18
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Being as the OA wasnt able to measure any significant coolant in the oil, I really think your fine. If you were leaking that much into the engine, it would have shown up pretty solid.
     
  19. Oct 9, 2011 at 8:04 AM
    #19
    ryber

    ryber Well-Known Member

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    Reviving this thread..

    Just wondering what the OP did about this leak?? I just found the exact same one in the same spot coming from the front passenger side right under the alternator.
    Mine looks to be a little bit worse then yours in the pics, its seeped down further and has a drip about to fall..

    Did you ever take it in to get looked at or fixed, or did you just leave it and watched it and it hasnt gotten any worse??
     
  20. Nov 15, 2011 at 3:49 PM
    #20
    afd23a

    afd23a [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Factory Fog Lights, Removed Secondary Air Filter, Metra Ipod Adapter, Int Wiper Stalk, Wet Okole's, URD Short Shifter, Scanguage II w/Blendmount, Fat Bob's 2.75" spacer lift, ARE topper, SP Performance Pads & Slotted Rotors, 4.10 gears
    I decided not to do anything about it until it starts to leave a spot in the driveway or I see another indicator like low coolant level.
     

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