BeerBurner

I have noticed that there is some occasional coolant dripping from the weep hole down by the starter but I can't really figure out where the coolant is coming from. The heater valve and hoses don't seem to be leaking so it isn't likely from there. I also don't see any sign of coolant dripping or running down the top of the clutch/flywheel housing or anything going into the little viewing port.

The engine is a little cruddy in general back in there so I'm going to clean it up to help search this thing out but is it possible that the head gasket could leak coolant inside that housing and not have it be visible from topside?

Thanks,
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TexasRider

My guess is there is leak as you know, and that coolant is being blown around and down into the inspection hole. Whether it is puddling or just a drip. As you say could be other leaks too. If it there it is about the only way it could be there.

BeerBurner

It's just a small drip but I can't see enough getting blown into the hole to drip as much as it does without making other puddles elsewhere.

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Hollywood D

I can't even see any of the cooling system being close enough to the starter to cause it to leak into that area. Maybe the lines that run into the dash for the heater?

My first guess was going to be the heater control valve on top of the bellhousing but you said you checked that. It does run back down into the darkness there though. Maybe the coolant is running down the outside hose and exiting somewhere else.

BeerBurner

One thing I realized (in talking with people on several different forums) is that the times when I have noticed this is when the car was nose-up for whatever reason (either on jack stands or on the slanted part of my driveway). I can't say that it doesn't have this problem when the car is level but I just haven't seen it.

I had it up on jacks with the belly pan off for a few days while I was trying to chase it down and the only puddle that formed was from the starter. I
am going to go ahead and park the car on the level garage without the belly pan and see what happens.

I'm also going to look in to a pressure tester. I think that, with all of my old cars, it might be worth acquiring one of those.

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Travis - sflraver

I would double check the heater control valve...

BeerBurner

I'll gladly check it again (I'd love for that to be the problem!) but I checked it hot, warm and cold both by hand and placing holding a paper towel up against it and it always came back dry.

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Travis - sflraver

It could also be leaking into the valley there out of the front water neck and, after accumulation, draining into the inspection hole at the bell housing when you jack the car up?

BeerBurner

That's a possibility.

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BeerBurner

Just as a follow-up, after cleaning up the back of the engine I was able to determine that it really is the heater valve, just like you all told me it should be.

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TexasRider

I guess it is good. In a way that is . I am glad you got it and nothing worse.

I hate leaks .

BeerBurner

Yeah, all in all this is about the best result that I can get. My only real gripe is that I wish I had solved this when I ordered some other parts because now I'll be paying shipping twice. Not a huge deal, tho...

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