kaito Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 I was in the process of mounting the cs144 alternator and removed the top bracket to adjust the alternator belt tension when I noticed coolant coming out. I pulled the bolt all the way out and coolant trickles out at a pretty constant rate. Should I just use some thread sealant and call it a day or is it going to put coolant into the oil? It is the top bolt on the timing chain cover right above the radiator coolant inlet to the block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luseboy Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Does coolant leak out after you tighten the bolt back up? How old is the timing cover gasket? There should be some rtv sealer around that area in the timing gasket since the water inlet runs right through there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazeum Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 It's weird since head should hold the front cover tight against the block, do you have the bolt tight between the front cover & the head? Depending on how much water went into your oil pan, I would at least fluch the oil as a safety measure. Not worse saving $50... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 (edited) If it's the bolt that I think it is, it's open to the coolant passages, when the bolt is removed is a "leak." Tighten up the bolt and the "leak" will go away. There shouldn't be any coolant in the oil, the gasket between the front cover and the block should have that possibility sealed off. Edited April 27, 2012 by Six_Shooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaito Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share Posted April 27, 2012 The front cover gasket is new. I haven't looked at water in the oil. I don't think there is any, I was just worried that it could be a possibility. The bolt that goes from the head to the front cover is unfortunately stripped out. The leak stops when the bolt is tightened. I'm fairly sure this bolt is open to coolant passage, but just wanted to be sure. Thanks for the help fellas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayaapp2 Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Neither of the bolts around the water jacket at the timing cover go into water passages. The 8mm bolt that holds the water pump to the timing cover does, but that should not be the bolt in question here. Id say you have a gasket failure at that top bolt. Eventually it might seep into the oil pan. bolt it back together and pressure test the system. See if it holds pressure over a few hours. If it does then Id say your okay, but if it leaks down and you do not have any other leak sources its time to pull the timing cover and replace the gasket again and check the surfaces at the timing cover and block for issues. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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