Weird Water Leak - Please Help

[will e]

my 81 360 AMC had a puddle of water under it when I came out of work. Not sure if it was mine, I started the truck, pulled forward one space and went back inside.

Half hour later there is a puddle again and I can see it dripping.

The source of the water is up top somewhere. The area around the distributor is wet but I don't see water on top of the intake. I cannot see a leak from the Rad hose or the small hose from the water pump.

Here is the weird part. I filled it up with water and drove it home. I changed when I got home and went back out. No dripping! There is still water around the distributor. The system is pressurized. It appears my leak may have stopped.

Any idea's? I will check it again in the AM.

[ August 27, 2003, 07:58 PM: Message edited by: will e ]

[Cecil14]

Is the system pressurized all the time? If not a pressure test may locate the leak. If it is try running it and checking for the leak. Even if it is pressurized all the time it will be under higher pressure when warm than cold.

Good luck,
Anthony

[PlasticBoob]

I had a *sort* of similar problem, kinda, on my new engine. Before I even started it for the first time, I noticed a puddle of water in the depression in the intake manifold right by the #2 cylinder...I thought "oh crap, the manifold corroded the bolt tap on the thermostat housing when it was hot-tanked and now I need a new manifold!" But then I just replaced the brand new thermo gasket and now it's fixed. Reason I'm posting this is because it took me a long time to notice the water because the 50/50 mix hadn't mixed yet (engine had never been started yet) and it was clear, plus the manifold is '73 AMC blue and if the coolant was green I probably would have not noticed it right away anyway. Anyway, even though you said you did not see leaks on the intake, I thought I'd share my info with you anyway.

[will e]

Thanks! I checked this morning and no leak!

This is very weird. I am going to drive it today and watch the temp guage.

I was thinking thermostat gasket too. Trouble is, I have so much grease on the engine it is hard to tell ANYTHING.

[viscacha]

Could it be your radiator cap? A little extra pressure allows fluid to flow out around the cap and then gets sprayed back toward dizzy cap area, then drips down into a puddle. You can’t find a leak and it’s intermittent. This happened to me. :cool:

[gwinn]

Mine was a poor seal on the water neck, although it left a puddle coolant on the intake manifold.

[will e]

turned out to be the timing chain cover. It is cracked or something on the back side, right near the water pump bolt closest to the distributor.

I think it would only leak cold for two reasons:

1. The metal would expand and help close the hole.
2. WHen cold, the thermostat would be closed, the water pressure would have no where else to go.

I started another thread in the Discussion area:

http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=015318

JB weld did the temporary fix for me. I think...

[Sambo]

if you need i have an extra cover if you should need one!!! ;)

[will e]

Thanks sambo. I am going to order a new one from BJ's. It's not cheap ($250) but I am about to either swap out my engine or get mine rebuilt. Just assume I get a new part on there. The timing chain cover is such a PITA to get off, I can't even believe it!