Not that I've ever effectively blown a head gasket, though I've pulled some which were well on their way, I've a suggestion which might work out. The coolant leaking out could easily be coming from the coolant passages btw the lower intake and the heads. Lack of proper cleaning prior to install could result in a poor seal and allow it to escape out the back, running down the side as you described. Starting a car cold in different climate conditions, the exhaust will sputter out a good amound of condensation, puddling up even. Hope this works out

 

Welp, if any water is coming from your engine (not good) and you are positive it isn't your water pump or radiator then the answer is a gasket... I've actually had two things happen to me.. my lower intake gasket dripped water one time out the back behind cylinder 8, where i didn't tighten it down enough; and then a blown head gasket will also get water where it aint suppose to be!

 

I have a new engine that was driven 2 miles with only 1 Gal of anti-freeze (don't ask). I had it towed home and now the car idles fine but there is anti-freeze (not a lot) dripping between the tranny & the block (can't see from above or below where its coming from, its almost like the block is leaking in the tranny (actually up against the iron sheilding that seperates the two.

The exhaust now excretes a small amount of water. A noticeable amount though.

You guys think I'm looking at a blown head gasket here?

thanks for any input, I ask here because it seems the best tech is in this forum.

I am going to guess you have either blown a gasket, or the frost plug in the rear of the block is leaking

 

Well, I'm hoping it is "just" a freeze plug or head gasket. I don't mind working a bunch, I just don't want to have to buy another forged block after only two miles.

BTW, the water out of the exhasut seems to have no anti-freeze in it, does this make sense?

thanks for your help.

 

If you want to eliminate head gaskets as a problem, go get a compression tester. Any Sears or auto parts store has 'em. They're cheap and you WILL use it again to diagnose either your car or someone else's.

Screw it in to the spark plug hole, crank the motor for a couple of revolutions, write the reading and cylinder no. on a piece of paper. repeat for all cylinders. If you're cranking the motor by hand, it'll be easier if you remove all the plugs.

If you get readings which are similar and then two cylinders next to each other which are less, or just one which is low, then there's the problem.

You could also bring each cylinder to TDC on compression, screw a fitting in the spark plug hole and put about 15 lbs of compressed air in there and look for bubbles in the radiator.

- Jeff

 

Mine was doing the same exact thing. It was the TB to EGR gasket. It was leaking internal and external. Was getting coolant in the same location you are, and alot was going into intake, then out exhast also.

Hope this helps

 

Water coming out of the exhaust is normal when it's cold (engine). It's called condensation. It will diminish once the engine warms up and the exhaust gets hot.

 

Keep looking for that leak. It could be a blown heater core or bad hoses and it's just leaking onto your transmission.

 

I bet it is an intake gasket leak. It has happened to me more than once. Use a pressure tester on the radiator cap (borrow or buy one) . The last time it happened to me I missed the smallest little piece of leftover intake gasket and it leaked like a siv with the same type of description as your situation. You will see it bubble where it is leaking. Don't go ripping off your heads because of an intake gasket leak if thats all it is.

 

THanks guys, I found the problem, it was just some cross tubing that ran between the two heads I just reset these with a slightly thicker o-ring (and jammed it down in there) and it no longer leaks. It looks like I got lucky on this one.


thanks for your help,

Chris

 

I have a new engine that was driven 2 miles with only 1 Gal of anti-freeze (don't ask). I had it towed home and now the car idles fine but there is anti-freeze (not a lot) dripping between the tranny & the block (can't see from above or below where its coming from, its almost like the block is leaking in the tranny (actually up against the iron sheilding that seperates the two.

The exhaust now excretes a small amount of water. A noticeable amount though.

You guys think I'm looking at a blown head gasket here?

thanks for any input, I ask here because it seems the best tech is in this forum.

The proper way to check for a blown head gasket is to check for the presance of CO (Carbon Monoxide) in the coolant. They have dye that can be used to test for this. That will let you know what you are up against.

Good Luck.