Coolant in #3 spark plug well

Another thing to note, is that I did get the idle down by messing with the throttle screw.
I had not changed out the temperature sender (near firewall) as had been recommended to me when doing the engine in June. So I got it in my noggin to do it. That raised the idle back up. Makes no sense, I know, but now I see that the heater hose right next to it has a leak (white on the hose) & I probably missed any evidence of fluid because it would have hit the exhaust.
So question is, did I bust something back there? It’s such a cramped spot. However, would that cause coolant in the 3 well?

 

Yes. leakdown test just needs the heads on and the valves closed. find TDC for each cylinder before doing the test. that's it.

 

so I could actually remove the intake manifold cover 1st….? Just have to be real careful since that would further expose the valves & I wouldn’t be able to block the openings to prevent debris, etc.
Course I’d have to drain the coolant….

 

I'm wondering: Did you get most of the coolant out of there and see if it came back? As in, I'm somewhat wondering what the connection between taking off the radiator cap and the problem is; and if seeing what happens will help to diagnose the problem. I suppose I'd take the plug out, clean the well out, and try to eyeball it to try to see a leak. I don't know. It's seeming like the engine is going to be coming apart, so maybe I'd just get going on that.

I had a 3RZ that had a problem with very occasionally fouling the #3 plug, according to the previous owner, who thought it might be a small head gasket leak. I drove it (without it ever fouling a plug) till one day trying to start it and it was "hydraulic locked." It ended up being a cracked cylinder head and a crack in the #3 cylinder bore, which was probably due to a manufacturing defect.

Then there's my backup car which has some head gasket kind of problem(s). I put 'stop leak' in it several years ago. When I got it going again after setting undriven there was quite a bit of coolant in a spark plug well. I didn't do anything to try to fix it, and I've been driving it (not far, not a whole lot), and this thread got me to check if there's coolant in there again. I don't see any. I'm thinking maybe the stop leak stuff might've sealed it somehow.

 

I am having a hard time locating a loaner leakdown tester. Or one for immediate purchase for that matter (not that I can really afford it, although when ya weigh the cost of it versus a new engine....). Anyway, think I will 1st try this test. I'll just have to remove any new coolant from the three 1st.

Yes. & it did not come back. Cap on rad still. I did read in that same thread you posted about pin holes in the sleeve, however you'd think that would cause coolant to be in the well all the time?

I have a way of not crossing & dotting before I move along. I am being more thorough this time. It was due to that, which caused me to remove the rad cap to start with. Inquiring about tests first on here....

 

I probably wouldn't be able to stop myself from taking off the radiator cap again and seeing if coolant leaks into the #3 spark plug well again.

 

Ha-ha! Precisely what I did. & it did not happen again. In the moment it seems like it’s a good thing, however it does leave ya going
Also, no pool of coolant down below.

 

Compression test 1st -
Cold engine (obviously)
1-185
2-190
3-190
4-188
5-190
6-190

1 makes sense because I had two valve clearance readings of .006. Still in range, just lower than the others.

But 3 came out ok? Why?

 

An update on this one. I decided to send the throttle body to maxbore. I drove it a pinch prior to that & did not show signs of any major problems.
Once I get the TB back, I’ll update