Manifold Gasket Help

[xtmsports]

Hey guys,

 

I have a 2002 chevy 2500hd with 8.1 engine.

 

There is a leak on the manifold and the coolant is slow dripping into the 2nd spark plug on the left side of the engine.

 

The mechanic said it would cost about $160 to fix the gasket.

 

But when I went to look for the gasket to "do it myself" i notice there is an exhaust manifold gasket and intake manifold gasket. Intake gasker = $100....exhaust gaskete = $10.

 

I'm not sure which gasket it is. Does anybody know or have a schematic they can send me?

 

If coolant is leaking out of it, does it automatically mean its the intake gasket?

 

Thanks.

[Haulin' 8.1]

Neither one of those gaskets seal off any coolant passages. So your mechanic is wrong. The 8.1 is a dry intake manifold and only some boat engines have water cooled exhaust manifolds so that's not it either. If your leak is on the outside of the engine and you mean left as in drivers side which is correct then look at the round steel plug screwed into the cylinder head above the second spark plug, this is the coolant temperature sensor location on the passenger side head but it's just plugged off on the drivers side and chances are good that plug has developed a leak. If this is the case to reseal it you will need to drain the coolant from the drain at the bottom left corner of the radiator. Then use the proper tool to engauge the leaking plug and uscrew it. Then clean the threads with a small metal brush. Then wrap the plug three times with Teflon pipe sealing tape and reinstall it. Close your radiator drain and refill it. Then start the engine and top off the coolant as needed. Reinstall the cap and drive it a few miles then come back and check it for leaks with the engine still running.

 

Vernon

[xtmsports]

Neither one of those gaskets seal off any coolant passages. So your mechanic is wrong. The 8.1 is a dry intake manifold and only some boat engines have water cooled exhaust manifolds so that's not it either. If your leak is on the outside of the engine and you mean left as in drivers side which is correct then look at the round steel plug screwed into the cylinder head above the second spark plug, this is the coolant temperature sensor location on the passenger side head but it's just plugged off on the drivers side and chances are good that plug has developed a leak. If this is the case to reseal it you will need to drain the coolant from the drain at the bottom left corner of the radiator. Then use the proper tool to engauge the leaking plug and uscrew it. Then clean the threads with a small metal brush. Then wrap the plug three times with Teflon pipe sealing tape and reinstall it. Close your radiator drain and refill it. Then start the engine and top off the coolant as needed. Reinstall the cap and drive it a few miles then come back and check it for leaks with the engine still running.

 

Vernon

 

Hi Vernon, thanks for replying to my post. Actually, the fluid leak is on the passenger side of the engine. Just right above the spark plug. It is a slow leak and you can see the "corrosiion" of the fluid build up into a crusty material. This is also the same spot where there seems to be a squeeky knock when I give the engine some gas. I am think this leak is causing the spark plug or the piston inside to make this noise.

 

I look forward to your assitance.

 

Thanks

[xtmsports]

Neither one of those gaskets seal off any coolant passages. So your mechanic is wrong. The 8.1 is a dry intake manifold and only some boat engines have water cooled exhaust manifolds so that's not it either. If your leak is on the outside of the engine and you mean left as in drivers side which is correct then look at the round steel plug screwed into the cylinder head above the second spark plug, this is the coolant temperature sensor location on the passenger side head but it's just plugged off on the drivers side and chances are good that plug has developed a leak. If this is the case to reseal it you will need to drain the coolant from the drain at the bottom left corner of the radiator. Then use the proper tool to engauge the leaking plug and uscrew it. Then clean the threads with a small metal brush. Then wrap the plug three times with Teflon pipe sealing tape and reinstall it. Close your radiator drain and refill it. Then start the engine and top off the coolant as needed. Reinstall the cap and drive it a few miles then come back and check it for leaks with the engine still running.

 

Vernon

 

 

Hi Vernon,

 

I believe you are right on the money. The leak is on the passenger side of the engine block. The is some sort of screw type sensor and it is leaking right onto the spark plug. Please pictures and confirm your diagnostics. You are the man. Thanks.