coolant leak

[lodden758]

here's the scoop, last month I took my 89 bII to the shop, they said I had a bad head gasket. so I had them replace all the gaskets in the upper end both head gaskets and everything. well two weeks went buy everything was running good. started to check fluids and everthing look good but did notice that that the coolant was a little low so i toped it off and drove another two weeks. check fluids again everthing looks good , oils clean and coolant is full, but this time I noticed that there was a little coolant on the drivers side block, looks like its comeing from the head gasket and was wondering what you all thought? Any help would be great.

thanks DJ

 

[gbadgley]

DJ, I would pressure test the system to see if you can find out for sure where it is coming from. If it is a gasket that was changed when the head gasket was replaced I would contact the shop that did the work. Greg

 

[grnrngr]

Maybe a rusted out freeze plug? Had one go bad on my 90 Ranger, driver's side center, a PITA to work on. The water jacket is very narrow there and the rubber easy fix plugs will not go in far enough to get enough of a grip to seat properly. Have to actually install a new metal plug (which is the right way to fix it) and don't let it get overheated.

 

[WildSide]

First of all what symptoms did the engine have to make you bring the truck to the shop in the first place? And did they check the heads for warpage or cracks( and use new head bolts)? They really should have inspected the core plugs while the top end was off but it’s important that you pinpoint the exact leak location because a bad head gasket can kill your engine.

 

[lodden758]

i took it to the shop because it was really boggy went first started it up and it would blow white smoke untill it warmed up, but after it warmed up it ran great. its also was losing a little water each week, so i took it to the shop to have it pressure tested, thats when they told me me I had a bad head gasket. it dont seem to be useing any more water now.
Do you all think maybe it just took a little while for the head gasket to seat well?

 

[WildSide]

No gaskets seat immediately. But if you do notice more leaks I would return the truck before their warrantee runs out.

 

[lodden758]

took back to shop and they fixed for free, some dummy there put the head gaskets on backwards and upside down, never going there again. thanks for all your help

 

[WildSide]

HAHA Hope you gave them a piece of your mind, sounds like they could use a donation.