Coolant Leak

[ellev8or]

92 PA Base
146,000 miles

I noticed that the coolant in the reservoir has been going low and I've been having to replenish it, in addition to the many different locations of small puddles of fluid under my car. Obviously there must be a leak somewhere. I conducted a pressure test on the radiator and detected a leak on a hose connected to the engine near the water pump was not tight. After tightening I pumped 16 lbs. of pressure and found the second leak; up between the rear valve cover and upper manifold.

My question is can coolant leak from the valve covers or is it coming from the manifold? I'm going to change the valve cover gaskets anyway since repairs need to be done in that area.

If someone can provide estimates if taken to a master tech: if manifold is leaking and replacing it along with the valve cover gaskets, or just replacing valve cover gaskets. Located in Indy.

Thanks in advance.

[Blue Bowtie]

A valve cover leak should not cause coolant loss. It's likely that the leak is at the intake, and will require replacement of the lower intake gaskets. It's possible that there has been etching of the head around the cooling ports at the intake flange, and this will require extra time to repair. The removal, flange repair, and replacement of the gaskets are not difficult, but will be time consuming.