Need photo of engine to diagnose

[Tinkerin_wit_tools]

My wife's 99 Blazer 2WD has a small leak. Went under to change out oil the other day and looks like there is a slight leak of coolant. Problem is, I don't know what the part is and from looking on autozone and in it's Haynes manual, had nothing. Right above the steering gearbox, a small unit is attached to the engine which the main drive belt runs along. This will make it on the bottom right of the block. The coolant that seems to be falling from it is gunking up the top of the gearbox, so I know it's coolant because of the color and the consistency of the fluid. There is a single line that runs towards the radiator, and I assume it may be a coolant pump that may push it from the radiator into the block. Is there anyone out there who has not only a schematic of the actual engine, but may know what this part is and how I can look up the removal and replacing of it????

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by Tinkerin_wit_tools

My wife's 99 Blazer 2WD has a small leak. Went under to change out oil the other day and looks like there is a slight leak of coolant. Problem is, I don't know what the part is and from looking on autozone and in it's Haynes manual, had nothing. Right above the steering gearbox, a small unit is attached to the engine which the main drive belt runs along. This will make it on the bottom right of the block. The coolant that seems to be falling from it is gunking up the top of the gearbox, so I know it's coolant because of the color and the consistency of the fluid. There is a single line that runs towards the radiator, and I assume it may be a coolant pump that may push it from the radiator into the block. Is there anyone out there who has not only a schematic of the actual engine, but may know what this part is and how I can look up the removal and replacing of it????

Are you sure it is not rad overflow/recovery tank?
Does it have engine coolant in or a place on top to add coolant?

Take a picture of it and post picture back.

Or go to your gm Parts dealer and see if he has any pictures of what you are looking at.

[Rick Norwood]

I am not sure exactly what you are describing. Traditionally, the right and left sides of the vehicle are described when sitting in the drivers seat looking forward, not standing in front of the grill looking towards the rear of the vehicle. To avoid confusion, you can say "Driver's Side or Passenger's Side".

Are you possibly describing the water pump? Does it have hoses attached to it?

Anyway, If you suspect a coolant leak, the best thing, meaning the simplest, cheapest and most accurate thing you can do is to go to Autozone and borrow the Radiator Pressure Tester. It is nothing more than a small hand held tire pump, with a radiator cap and a pressure gauge on it. They will usually let you borrow it for free.

When your engine is shut off and cool, remove your radiator cap and attach the pressure testor cap, and pump the hand pump to the pressure rating of your original cap, usually about 15 lbs. This will pressurize the entire cooling system and make almost any leak, big or small, visible. Have a flash light handy to inspect for leaks and drips.

Here is more information:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...+system+advice

[Tinkerin_wit_tools]

Originally Posted by Rick Norwood

I am not sure exactly what you are describing. Traditionally, the right and left sides of the vehicle are described when sitting in the drivers seat looking forward, not standing in front of the grill looking towards the rear of the vehicle. To avoid confusion, you can say "Driver's Side or Passenger's Side".

Are you possibly describing the water pump? Does it have hoses attached to it?

Anyway, If you suspect a coolant leak, the best thing, meaning the simplest, cheapest and most accurate thing you can do is to go to Autozone and borrow the Radiator Pressure Tester. It is nothing more than a small hand held tire pump, with a radiator cap and a pressure gauge on it. They will usually let you borrow it for free.

When your engine is shut off and cool, remove your radiator cap and attach the pressure testor cap, and pump the hand pump to the pressure rating of your original cap, usually about 15 lbs. This will pressurize the entire cooling system and make almost any leak, big or small, visible. Have a flash light handy to inspect for leaks and drips.

Here is more information:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...+system+advice

Ok, it is on the bottom, driver's side. I have had a pressure test in the past and I seriously doubt that I would need one. All the necessary parts of the cooling system have been replaced within the past year and it wouldn't be the water pump, since that is directly in the middle and has the fan and clutch attached to the front of it. I guess I will have to contact the GM dealer for more information.

[Tinkerin_wit_tools]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

Are you sure it is not rad overflow/recovery tank?
Does it have engine coolant in or a place on top to add coolant?

Take a picture of it and post picture back.

Or go to your gm Parts dealer and see if he has any pictures of what you are looking at.

I am not completely sure, but I think the tank is on the passenger side of the vehicle. Unfortunately, I have to wait until this coming weekend, since my wife drives it to work and I can't get my hands on it until then. I will try to contact my GM dealer before then to see what I can learn.

[Rick Norwood]

Originally Posted by Tinkerin_wit_tools

Ok, it is on the bottom, driver's side. I have had a pressure test in the past and I seriously doubt that I would need one. All the necessary parts of the cooling system have been replaced within the past year and it wouldn't be the water pump, since that is directly in the middle and has the fan and clutch attached to the front of it. I guess I will have to contact the GM dealer for more information.

How much coolant does it seem to be leaking? Hardly any? A cup? A quart? How often do you need to add to top off? If you have a leak, I strongly recommend another Pressure test to pin point it. Slow leaks are the worst. The pressure tester is the best way.

Could you be seeing residual coolant?

Another possibility is the weeper hole in the water pump, it may be hard to see but if it is leaking into the bell shaped pulley, it could be slinging coolant. The pressure tester will force coolant out through the weeper hole and make it visible.

[old_master]

Check behind the AC compressor for an intake manifold gasket leaking. If it leaks there, it will run down the front of the engine block on the driver side. Add a little wind, and the fan blowing, and coolant could easily end up on the steering gear box!

[Tinkerin_wit_tools]

Originally Posted by Rick Norwood

How much coolant does it seem to be leaking? Hardly any? A cup? A quart? How often do you need to add to top off? If you have a leak, I strongly recommend another Pressure test to pin point it. Slow leaks are the worst. The pressure tester is the best way.

Could you be seeing residual coolant?

Another possibility is the weeper hole in the water pump, it may be hard to see but if it is leaking into the bell shaped pulley, it could be slinging coolant. The pressure tester will force coolant out through the weeper hole and make it visible.

I would have to take the bottom fan shroud off to see if it is indeed coming from the weeper hole from the pump. Someone else recommended the intake manifold gasket also, but that and the water pump both were replaced within the last year. It is only a few droplets of coolant that I was noticing, nothing major. Been since the beginning of winter that I checked and the fill line still has coolant topped off in the system. The only other thing that I can think of is from searching on the forums that some people mention freeze plugs in the engine block. Could that be it, and where would I look for them?

[Tinkerin_wit_tools]

Originally Posted by old_master

Check behind the AC compressor for an intake manifold gasket leaking. If it leaks there, it will run down the front of the engine block on the driver side. Add a little wind, and the fan blowing, and coolant could easily end up on the steering gear box!

That and the water pump were replaced within last year, so I seriously doubt it could be that. Was mentioned about checking the pump's weeper hole, but would have to take the bottom fan shroud off when I get under the car to do the compression test. Only saw a couple of droplets on the garage floor and on the gear box, and the system is well topped off from the last time I checked the fluid levels two months ago. The only thing I can think of is reading in the forums about freeze plugs, but I wouldn't know where to go looking or what they look like.

[old_master]

Lower intake manifold gaskets are a "known issue" on this engine. If they were not installed properly, or if there is excessive pitting on either of the heads or intake manifold, or the OEM style gaskets were used, you can't rule them out. Take Rick's advice, pressure test the cooling system. Takes 10 minutes, and it's free!

[lesterl]

I say intake mani gaskets also....