Anti Freeze Leak

I have a 98 Sonoma 2.2 that is leaking Anti Freeze from the Back of the engine on the drivers side. I thought is was a freeze plug that may have popped off. It looks like it is coming from a hole in the side of the engine right below the exaust manifold. I went to get a freeze plug and they wanted to sell me a metal cap. I did not get it because i did not see how that would stop a water leak. I am hoping it is not a blown head gasket. When you put water in, you can see it running out of the side of the engine. It is hard to see because of everything in the way.
Any help anyone can suggest would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like the freeze plug is leaking bro.

The only way to find the true leak is if you pressure test the cooling system. a lot of freeze plugs are metal, they are a pretty tight fit

I had the same problem. Head gaskets are a common problem with these engines around 100k miles.

I had the same problem. Head gaskets are a common problem with these engines around 100k miles.

No they are not a common problem.

I shouldn't say common, but I have two other friends with the 4.3 vortec who both had this problem with there engine around 100k miles. Just an odd coincidence.

I don't now about common or not but I had a antifreeze leak on my 2.2 at about 85k and it was also the head gasket. Wasn't that bad of a job to change it out. I bought a complete kit and changed all of the valve stem seals while I had it off. Took a little under a day.

Jon

How does one go about pressure testing their cooling system to look for a leak?

How does one go about pressure testing their cooling system to look for a leak?

Use a pressure tester and an air compressor, run it up to 30 psi and see if there is any bleed off or any streams of coolant shooting out. The unit goes over the rad cap