1998 5.7 coolant leak

I have a 98 5.7 that is leaking coolant from the back side of the engine. I was changing the oil and noticed a drip off the bottom of the bell housing. I could follow it up to the back side of the motor but lost it near the exhaust maifold. I just drove the truck to Florida and back; 3000 miles and did not lose any coolant. When I bought the truck the coolant tank was empty and I had the dealer fill it. (I wonder if the stop leak has stopped working?) There is no smell or steam from the exhaust and the oil is clean. What is the cost of replacing the intake manifold if that is the problem? I don't have time to monkey around with this I have a ton of work to do before the weather turns to winter. Any help would be great.

Tim

Also, check the heater hose disconnect in the
manifold (A common leak) Mine would be hard to
catch in the process but would run along the
engine to the back and drip down to bell housing.
That was in addition to my manifold gasket leak.

It is the intake gasket.You might want to look into this,Fel-Pro has come out with an updated intake gasket for the 5.7 L engine.I know Jasper uses the updated intake gaskets and threw away all the plastic ones what they had left.It is made out of metal instead of plastic with rubber sealing areas and I have seen one.A Jasper rep that comes into my father's shop came in with one that is a sample that he gets from Jasper.Mark the distribitor BEFORE pulling it out,the ignition timing is not adjustable.Replace the factory heater hose disconnect,the factory one is made out of pot metal and the replacement ones are made out of steel.If the intake gasket set comes with the end gaskets,throw away the end gaskets away and use a bead of RTV silicone instead.The problem with the end gaskets,they split and will cause an oil leak

It is the intake gasket.You might want to look into this,Fel-Pro has come out with an updated intake gasket for the 5.7 L engine.I know Jasper uses the updated intake gaskets and threw away all the plastic ones what they had left.It is made out of metal instead of plastic with rubber sealing areas and I have seen one.A Jasper rep that comes into my father's shop came in with one that is a sample that he gets from Jasper.Mark the distribitor BEFORE pulling it out,the ignition timing is not adjustable.Replace the factory heater hose disconnect,the factory one is made out of pot metal and the replacement ones are made out of steel.If the intake gasket set comes with the end gaskets,throw away the end gaskets away and use a bead of RTV silicone instead.The problem with the end gaskets,they split and will cause an oil leak


Thanks for all the advice. I did manage to see just where the leak is comming from and it is the manifold gasket, right rear corner. I bought an inspection mirror and used a good flashlight so I could see. I called the dealer and told the salesman what was happening with the truck and they said they would pick up the bill. I wll buy another truck from him. Tim

Thanks for the help. It is the manifold gasket. I was able to see with an inspection mirror. the dealer that sold me the truck is going to pay for the repairs. I will buy another truck from him.

thanks Tim