Coolant is leaking from my starter.

Salmon Stalker · November 29, 2004

Okay, it's not coming from the starter, but it looks like it. I have a fairly serious leak and I cannot see it.

As I crawl under the truck it drips down onto the starter and rolls around to the bottom. It also is dripping around the bell housing. In fact, it even appears as though it is leaking inside the bell housing and coming out the weephole at the bottom.

Looking from above I cannot see anything damp. My assumption is that the leak is somewhere below the exhaust manifold and above the starter. With that being said, the only thing that I can think of is a crack in the block, a blown soft plug, blown head gasket (at the back of the engine. Not sure here)...

Can anybody think of anything less serious that this could be? Any suggestions on what to do to find the leak. I 'm thinking that I may be able to see something if I remove the starter...

Any suggestions or input would be appreciated.

SS

Shawn T · November 29, 2004

I have had many freeze plugs corrode and rust through. I would bet good money that the furthest rear freeze plug is leaking through. This is an easy fix and a good start. Good luck!

budhayes3 · November 29, 2004

First off, welcome aboard! Next, we need to know what year and engine you have. The pre-99 small blocks have a fitting on the back of the intake manifold that is prone to corroding and leaking. The corners of the intake can leak also. Other guesses would be head gasket, freeze out plug, cracked block or head, maybe even a leak at the knock sensor if it's located on the right side of the block like my 85 Monte was. Good luck, hope it's something cheap and simple!

Salmon Stalker · November 29, 2004

First off, welcome aboard! Next, we need to know what year and engine you have. The pre-99 small blocks have a fitting on the back of the intake manifold that is prone to corroding and leaking. The corners of the intake can leak also. Other guesses would be head gasket, freeze out plug, cracked block or head, maybe even a leak at the knock sensor if it's located on the right side of the block like my 85 Monte was. Good luck, hope it's something cheap and simple!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the welcome...I am new to the board (I appreciate you noticing). When I rebuilt my boat engine I found these types of forums so valuable. I ran across this board when looking for help on this problem. I should have remembered to give the engine specifics. It is a 1996 5.7 liter (essentially a 350, right).

What is a knock sensor?

brownk01 · November 29, 2004

Okay, it's not coming from the starter, but it looks like it. I have a fairly serious leak and I cannot see it.

As I crawl under the truck it drips down onto the starter and rolls around to the bottom. It also is dripping around the bell housing. In fact, it even appears as though it is leaking inside the bell housing and coming out the weephole at the bottom.

Looking from above I cannot see anything damp. My assumption is that the leak is somewhere below the exhaust manifold and above the starter. With that being said, the only thing that I can think of is a crack in the block, a blown soft plug, blown head gasket (at the back of the engine. Not sure here)...

Can anybody think of anything less serious that this could be? Any suggestions on what to do to find the leak. I 'm thinking that I may be able to see something if I remove the starter...

Any suggestions or input would be appreciated.

SS

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sounds like this has to be one of the rear freeze plugs (behind the flex plate). Does it leak when the engine is not running also?

Salmon Stalker · November 29, 2004

It does still leaks when the truck is not running for a short time. Only for about 2 minutes after I turn it off. Then it stops.... However, the leak is not nearly as fast.

Peter_C · November 29, 2004

Budhayes3 had some good thoughts. Warm it up, shut it off then grab a mirror and flashlight then go investigate. The heater hose fitting at the intake is one of the most common leaks. Look closely at the rear of the manifold, along the cylinder heads.

If you can not find there keep hunting around. A pressure tester helps a lot to keep a constant pressure. They are around $30.00 from an auto parts store.

WyRam · November 29, 2004

Either the heater hose fitting or Intake Gasket.Both very common on those.

budhayes3 · November 29, 2004

What is a knock sensor?

A knock sensor sends a signal to the PCM(Powertrain Control Module) when detonation is detected, the PCM then retards ignition timing to help prevent knocking and/or "pinging". It looks kinda like an oil pressure sensor, with one wire going to it. On GENIII style engines, there are two knock sensors located under the intake manifold. Older style small blocks used to have knock sensors screwed into a water jacket on the side of the engine block. On my 1985 Monte Carlo SS the knock sensor was on the right side of the block, kinda near the starter...that's why I just sorta threw that suggestion out there.

mcreyaufmiller · November 29, 2004

I would tend to agree with the above. My 98 had 2 leaks, one from the heater to the intake, $10 fix from Autozone for a new fitting. the other was the rear intake manifold on the passengers side. $20 Mr. Gasket intake kit and 4 hours of labor to replace the gasket. Now I no longer have a leak.

Mike

Salmon Stalker · November 29, 2004

How were you guys that found these leaks able to find them? What I mean is that I cannot see the source of the leak from underneath or from up top. I'm trying to figure out what to remove so that i can see what's going onback there.

kewlgye · November 30, 2004

How were you guys that found these leaks able to find them? What I mean is that I cannot see the source of the leak from underneath or from up top. I'm trying to figure out what to remove so that i can see what's going onback there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

your best bet is to remove the intake, replace the gasket, and inspect your heater hose, if you're intake gasket isn't leaking now, it will soon enough. My 98 was leaking from the exact same place. There's a small valley on the top of your bell housing, and the antifreeze collects there then leaks down to your starter. Hope this helps.

mcreyaufmiller · November 30, 2004

I knew it was there and just got tired of putting coolant in the engine. That and the front drivers side blew and made a mess on my bumper.

Mike

Salmon Stalker · December 1, 2004

Thanks for all the input guys. After this discussion and a discussion with a couple of mechanics, it sounds like the intake manifold is the ticket. I'm planning on replacing this weekend. I will let you know how it goes.

SS