Coolant Leak Intake
#61
Senior Member
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Thread Starter
Don't chastise me; I am doing the best I can. Since the lower intake already had the metal gaskets, it was foolish for me to remove the LIM since there was no need; I should have followed my instinct on that one. When you only make $5000.00 a year you have to watch every penny. I have not brought the lower gaskets and will go with the Fel-pro as suggested. And these bleeding gaskets should not be so high; if I had known the lower intake gaskets was going to be $54.00 I bloody would have left the lower intake in place.
#62
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Sorry, that was not my intention, I was just saying that I posted the part number for the Fel-PRO LIM Gasket kit that is the best one to use.
I know how it is to have a limited income.
The pics posted did not really show the frame for the LIM Gasket, what I seen looked plastic, I should have suggested you take a multimeter set to ohms, and touch it to the gaskets frame, there is enough of it that shows to test it, sorry I did not think to mention that at the time.
That area under the LIM needed to be cleaned up though, so it is good you got it off, and were able to get to it to clean it up a bit.
If that Lower Gasket in is as good of shape as it looks to be, then I don't see why you could not reuse it, from what I could see it looked practically new, normally I'd not suggest reusing them, but if the gasket looks good all over then it should not be a problem.
Could you get a picture of the gaskets, both sides if possible?
I know how it is to have a limited income.
The pics posted did not really show the frame for the LIM Gasket, what I seen looked plastic, I should have suggested you take a multimeter set to ohms, and touch it to the gaskets frame, there is enough of it that shows to test it, sorry I did not think to mention that at the time.
That area under the LIM needed to be cleaned up though, so it is good you got it off, and were able to get to it to clean it up a bit.
If that Lower Gasket in is as good of shape as it looks to be, then I don't see why you could not reuse it, from what I could see it looked practically new, normally I'd not suggest reusing them, but if the gasket looks good all over then it should not be a problem.
Could you get a picture of the gaskets, both sides if possible?
#63
Senior Member
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Thread Starter
Thanks everyone for the help; sorry if I got my feelings hurt a bit . I have ordered all the suggested parts and waiting for them to arrive. Considering the work, I would rather spend the money on new lower intake gaskets than to risk one of the ports leaking and sucking in from the crankcase or other locations. I was a bit surprised to see Advance Auto list the Fel-pro lower intake gasket at $77.99; yikes. Once I removed the lower intake that necessitated new gaskets, Dad taught me well when I was his grease monkey .
I think some of the gunk on the lower intake had oil mixed in; I started cleaning up the parts a bit. Where could this oil come from; the two bolts that are inside of the upper plenum?
Also, what is the opinion on the coolant ports for the throttle body; I see where some have blocked these ports. I am still curious why this engine was leaking coolant in the upper intake as bad as it was when this repair is only several years old. Should I inspect the throttle body for possible cracks; thinking that it is leaking from the throttle body and being sucked inside the plenum.
I think some of the gunk on the lower intake had oil mixed in; I started cleaning up the parts a bit. Where could this oil come from; the two bolts that are inside of the upper plenum?
Also, what is the opinion on the coolant ports for the throttle body; I see where some have blocked these ports. I am still curious why this engine was leaking coolant in the upper intake as bad as it was when this repair is only several years old. Should I inspect the throttle body for possible cracks; thinking that it is leaking from the throttle body and being sucked inside the plenum.
#64
Senior Member
True Car Nut
You are welcome, and no worries, I do understand the aggravation.
Did you end up ordering the LIM gasket from Advanced Auto, or RockAuto?
Rock auto has it for a lot cheaper, so does Amazon.com
I also think getting a new LIM gasket is good to do, better safe than sorry, the old gasket was probably fine to use, but again better safe than sorry.
The oil in the LIM usually comes from the oil wicking its way up the LIM Bolts, especially is lock-tite is used on them, instead of thread sealant, even when thread sealant is used it can still wick its way up them after time, every one of my bolts had oil all the way up the threads.
The oil in the UIM usually comes from the PCV valve.
As for the coolant ports on the throttle body, if you do not live in a constantly freezing cold climate, then it would not hurt to tap/plug them, I chose not to because I went with a new UIM, and installed the reduced diameter EGR Stove Pipe, so I was not too worried about throttle body leaks, externally anyway.
I kind of wish I had blocked them off now, but when you block them off to keep the coolant flow volume as it should be, I have heard you need to remove the coolant water bypass on the right side of the LIM, and use a grinder to open up that area a bit, of course many do not do this, and don't have a problem with cooling, but if I were to block mine off that would be what I would do.
If you block them off you will need the 1/4" tap/die, here is the one Justin recommended.
6 Piece Pipe Tap & Die Set
As for the fittings, I am not sure if these are as short as they need to be, but these are similar to the ones you'd want to use, maybe you can find something similar from your local hardware store..
Did you end up ordering the LIM gasket from Advanced Auto, or RockAuto?
Rock auto has it for a lot cheaper, so does Amazon.com
I also think getting a new LIM gasket is good to do, better safe than sorry, the old gasket was probably fine to use, but again better safe than sorry.
The oil in the LIM usually comes from the oil wicking its way up the LIM Bolts, especially is lock-tite is used on them, instead of thread sealant, even when thread sealant is used it can still wick its way up them after time, every one of my bolts had oil all the way up the threads.
The oil in the UIM usually comes from the PCV valve.
As for the coolant ports on the throttle body, if you do not live in a constantly freezing cold climate, then it would not hurt to tap/plug them, I chose not to because I went with a new UIM, and installed the reduced diameter EGR Stove Pipe, so I was not too worried about throttle body leaks, externally anyway.
I kind of wish I had blocked them off now, but when you block them off to keep the coolant flow volume as it should be, I have heard you need to remove the coolant water bypass on the right side of the LIM, and use a grinder to open up that area a bit, of course many do not do this, and don't have a problem with cooling, but if I were to block mine off that would be what I would do.
If you block them off you will need the 1/4" tap/die, here is the one Justin recommended.
6 Piece Pipe Tap & Die Set
As for the fittings, I am not sure if these are as short as they need to be, but these are similar to the ones you'd want to use, maybe you can find something similar from your local hardware store..
#65
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
I have a tap set; will check to see if it has the 1/4 NPT.
I ordered the LIM gaskets from Amazon because I got free shipping and every bit helps.
I ordered the new Dorman UIM kt but I am worried that even after redoing things I will still have a coolant leak.
I have thread sealant; it was needed for the water pump bolts when I did all the work on the 93 Buick.
I ordered the LIM gaskets from Amazon because I got free shipping and every bit helps.
I ordered the new Dorman UIM kt but I am worried that even after redoing things I will still have a coolant leak.
I have thread sealant; it was needed for the water pump bolts when I did all the work on the 93 Buick.
#66
Senior Member
True Car Nut
I have a tap set; will check to see if it has the 1/4 NPT.
I ordered the LIM gaskets from Amazon because I got free shipping and every bit helps.
I ordered the new Dorman UIM kt but I am worried that even after redoing things I will still have a coolant leak.
I have thread sealant; it was needed for the water pump bolts when I did all the work on the 93 Buick.
I ordered the LIM gaskets from Amazon because I got free shipping and every bit helps.
I ordered the new Dorman UIM kt but I am worried that even after redoing things I will still have a coolant leak.
I have thread sealant; it was needed for the water pump bolts when I did all the work on the 93 Buick.
If so then I'd not worry too much about a leak, and as long as you install the EGR reduced diameter stove pipe, then I don't think you will have any leaks to worry about, the UIM, UIM Gasket, and throttle body gasket will be new, as the UIM already has a TB Gasket installed on it.
If you can find those NTP fittings then it would not hurt to tap them, and plug them while you are at it, that would stop the coolant from running through the plastic UIM into the throttle body.
If you tap it just make sure to get them as flush with the LIM as possible.
#67
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Just some food for thought, when cleaning the internal engine components. I suggest just changing the engine oil at least 2 times within the first 1,000 miles. running any type of cleaner is a good way to wipe out a bearing. I would suggest changing it after a initial 1 hr run time then again after 500 to 1000 miles.
Since your into the repair do it once and right. I wouldn't modify any thing from factory. Just take your time and you'll be fine.
Since your into the repair do it once and right. I wouldn't modify any thing from factory. Just take your time and you'll be fine.
#68
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
I Forgot to add when laying the seals down for the intake valley run a bead of silicone below and on top of the gasket. Just laying down a dap on four corners near the cylinder isn't enough. Seen many leak oil after a few miles.
#69
Senior Member
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Thread Starter
I have yet to do a cleaning of the lower intake but that is on the list of "to do". Is it possible that a crack in the lower intake could be leaking coolant into the upper plenum area? Since this repair had already been attempted before, I have my doubts about fixing the leak by getting the Dorman kit although the Dorman kit was not used the first time.