another coolant problem

I got a 98 blazer here that has had a couple cooling system problems since i got it. The other day i went to work and noticed a really big puddle of coolant that seemed to be coming off the back of the motor somewhere. Well i got under it and couldn't find the leak anywhere. So i topped the rad off (cause the system will not pull water from the puke tank) and went home. But every morning i have to top the rad off or it will over heat.

I have recently done a rad flush so i have the T piece on the heater hose. So i hook the water hose to it in hope of finding a leak. Well... i find a leak behind the compressor. I think it's the valve cover gasket. Am i right here? I couldn't find any other leak due to all the water.

I'm thinkin it's either a freeze plug or the intake manifold gasket. I'm leaning towards the manifold gasket though.

I just wanted to get a few opinions of what some of yall might think. Thanx!

Yup, most likely the intake manifold. I would fix it ASAP as it could be leaking to the inside as well, right into the oil. Thats what mine did, and 4 months later spun main bearing in the moter costing near 2000.00 to rebuild.

Well i'm going tomorrow to get the gaskets. I just hope this doesn't take too long. I've never really done anything this big on my blazer.

Yup. Just like Jeremy said, get it fixed ASAP. I got lucky and only leaked out in the same place as yours did. Go to this thread and go to post 11 and you will see where mine leaked. I like pictures because a picture can explaine alot.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=484806


Come back and let us know what you will do.

Well i'm going tomorrow to get the gaskets. I just hope this doesn't take too long. I've never really done anything this big on my blazer.


don't forget to do a complete oil change when you're done. torque to proper specs as well ...

Yeah those are the pictures i was looking at last night. I think that's gonna help me out a lot. I didn't think about changing the oil until drdd mentioned it but i am due for an oil change anyway so i'll do that as well. Thank you all for your help.

Get the updated ones from Fel Pro.The updated ones are made out of metal instead of plastic.Fel pro has the best fix for the intake gasket problems.I have seen the updated ones for the vortec 350 so far.Mark the distribitor BEFORE pulling out,the timing is not adjustable and the distribitor has to be set with a scan tool,not a timing light.

Well i just got done putting everything back together... and guess what? It's out of timing and won't start. We did mark it but in the wrong spot. So now what do i need to do?

Well i just got done putting everything back together... and guess what? It's out of timing and won't start. We did mark it but in the wrong spot. So now what do i need to do?

Pull no spark plug and crank the engine over to top dead center on compression stroke. You can feel the compression stroke by holding your finger over plug hole while cranking and lool at the timing marks on pointer.
Then point your dist rotor to no one plug wire terminal on the underside of dist cap not on the top side it is a cross over cap.
Also the dist has a mark for no one position on it.
I will look for that and post back if I can find it. Or it may be in your service manual.
MT

Well i just got done putting everything back together... and guess what? It's out of timing and won't start. We did mark it but in the wrong spot. So now what do i need to do?

OK I found it but is in a pdf that I can not post. :grinyes: :lol:
But look for a no 6 stamped on the dist where the cap sets on it.
That is where to point the rotor when engine is on tdc compression stroke.
there is also a no. 8 there for a V8 engine. Just use the no 6 for a V6.
MT

The 98up dist is fixed so no timing adjustment - you probably dropped it in 1 tooth off due to the oil pump drive slot on the bottom of the dist - a real easy mistake to make, I did too. So, as MT said, once you found the TDC on #1 the cap is marked with #1 and then drop it in with the rotor pointed to it (and line up the pump drive with a long screw driver or tap the starter while holding the dist down and it will drop in place). Also make sure the Odd # wires are on the cap in the correct positions if you changed them, believe its 3-1-5 on the drivers side cap while 2-4-6 on pass side cap for the wires - should be marked.

The 98up dist is fixed so no timing adjustment - you probably dropped it in 1 tooth off due to the oil pump drive slot on the bottom of the dist - a real easy mistake to make, I did too. So, as MT said, once you found the TDC on #1 the cap is marked with #1 and then drop it in with the rotor pointed to it (and line up the pump drive with a long screw driver or tap the starter while holding the dist down and it will drop in place). Also make sure the Odd # wires are on the cap in the correct positions if you changed them, believe its 3-1-5 on the drivers side cap while 2-4-6 on pass side cap for the wires - should be marked.

You have to watch out on the newer crossfire dist caps no 1 on top will be on the other side on underside of cap. :grinyes: :lol:
The no 6 stamped on the dist is where to point the rotor for no plug wire on a V6.