Turns out the yellow liquid I was seeing drip down the front edge of my transmission bell housing is coolant and not oil. This would explain why I've had to top up the coolant a few times in the last few months.

I'm afraid it's the head but I don't see any oil level dropping at all and I'd expect to see that if it was the head. Also no sign of burning coolant. I can't see very well into that are either so it's difficult to tell where it might be coming from.

Any recommendations on where to look?

 

Pressure test the coolant system and see. You have two possibilitys, a leaking valley pan gasket or the head gaskets. Your oil level doesn't have to drop when a head gasket is leaking. By the way, you mentioned yellow coolant, aren't you using DexCool?

 

No, I use a PG based non-toxic coolant. Better properties than Dexcool in my case. I'll arrange a pressure test, thanks.

 

Well, looks like a slow leak either in the intake or head gasket on the drivers side rear corner. I've setup an appointment to get both replaced next Thursday when I get back from the Whites and Boston.

Oh well, guess the coilover upgrade will have to wait until spring.

 

Get both what replaced ??? If you decide to start with the intake manifold gasket, also ask to have the throttle body heater plate gasket changed.And if you decide to go with a head gasket job,they'll also do the intake manifold since it's part of that job.

Will this job be done under warranty ??? Just had my heads gaskets changed last week. Darn thing is still leaking oil, and I'm presently monitoring the coolant in case it leaks that too. Going to the dealer tomorrow.

 

Ted thinks it's the intake gasket but changing the head gaskets at the same time is just another 4 hours of labour and if it means not having to go through this again in another 60K km then that's good. In a good year I can drive that far. The throttle body gasket is looking fine.

 

Oh and it's out of warranty by 6 months, fun eh. At least new work is warrantied for a year.

 

Well, having made that mistake myself ( getting the intake manifold jobdone, to find out a few months later,that it was the head gasket), I say go ahead with the head gasket job and be done with it.

Just came back from my garage, and think that I can safely say that after monitoringthe coolant level for 5 days, it doesn't leak anymore.

Now, if only Ted can find why there is still oil finding its way at the bellhousing, and that annoying ticking sound that wasn't there before the HG job and the new rockers ??? hopefully, it's just an exhaust leak. But then again, it does it when warm, and not when cold......

Later,

Steph.

 

Good time to change plug wires if they are old.

Willie

 

Ironically I changed the plug wires about 4 weeks ago. Next time those get done it'll be to relocate the coils to somewhere sane. The intake gasket going at 65,000km seems horribly premature though, very annoying.