Water leaking onto starter

[zorrro]

I've been having some trouble with my wife's '96 suburban. The starter "bendex" never seems to engage the first time. I went under to pull the starter and spray it with graphite. I found that antifreeze has been leaking from above the starter and gumming-up the starter shaft. I've spent about 2 hours with a flashlight and mirror to find the leak with no luck. It's a slow drip when the engine is sitting and a pretty good drip when running. Looks like it's either between the head and block or intake and head. Any ideas? The rig as about 164K miles.

 

 

Thanks...........Zorrro

[pm26]

Usually, antifreeze leaks will be accompanied by whitish deposits where the leak originates (formed when the antifreeze evaporates on hot surface). Look for those. You could possibly have a leak through the head gasket. Any sign of antifreeze in the oil?

 

Check all heater hoses and connections.

[TEE]

The knock sensor is right above the starter..look there also.

[c502cid]

'Bout time for freeze plugs to start weeping a little too.

[zorrro]

I had some more time this weekend and dove in a little deeper. I found the knock sensor it's just below the distributor on the drivers side and is not leaking. I have not seen a freeze plug in the area of the leak (Passenger side rear of motor). I won't just start pulling the intake or heads until I'm exactly sure of where the leak is. I also refuse to use a pour in leak stopping agent. So for now we'll just carry extra 50/50 mixture and wait for it to get bigger or at least more reliable. I seems to leak about 1 gallon per week (250 miles) and does more so when the block is cool.........Thanks

 

I'm Still looking for suggestions........Zorrro

[TEE]

Check the very rear of the gaskets by the dizzy...I'd be willing to bet.

[Mike G]

I just went on this recon mission on my 92 5.7L and have the following to report...

 

The knock sensor is located on the passenger side of the block, it is visible just above the starter on it's leading edge from the front of the vehicle. Of course I dropped the starter down, becasue the Chevs are great in their mounting of these. Right there behind the soleoid was a good amount of damp goup at the bottom of the freeze plug. Of course I am happy to report the findings, however, the resolve is more of a hassle. I am contemplating a rubber stopper type plug, but then a fresh brass plug is just as simple...

 

--Mike

[Delray]

The vortec's are noted for there intake gasket leaking, The 98 I had leaked in the back on the right side running down the back and down on the starter.

Steve