97 blazer antifreeze leak and knocking sound

[bobboo]

i have a 97 blazer it has an antifreeze leak but i cant find it anyone know of a common problem with them. Also it has a knocking/ticking sound in the motor when i first start it but after driving for about 5 min it goes away. Could this just be dirty valves or bigger problem.

[muddog321]

Classic lower intake manifold gasket leak where the coolant leaks into the valley on the balance shaft, cam, and lifters thus the tap and you usually can't see any coolant in the oil as its a spray mist. Do not delay in fixing this as it could trash the motor if left not repaired. Most all Blazers have this occur between 80-100k miles.

[bobboo]

thanks for the response but would that cause the antifreeze to leak outside the motor. it looks as if it is coming from where the water pump is bolted to the block. i cant see it with the engine running but when i shut it off the coolant drips at the front of the motor.thanks

[muddog321]

Probably where the intake meets the engine block then drips down - get a flashlight and look closely or get a free pressure tester and pump the system up to 16 lbs and watch where it comes out. The water passages engine to intake are located at the front side corners and thats the mosty common leakage area - both out and inside the engine.

[old_master]

It could also be the water pump leaking from the underside, (at the weep hole). A cooling system pressure test will help find that too. With the skid plate removed, you can crawl under the vehicle and see the bottom of the water pump easily.