CatoBT

There is some blue/green liquid on top of the engine block (I did believe it to be oil, but today I realized it isn't).

Thing is: The car is not smoking and the level in the coolant expansion tank does not drop much.

I am thinking head gasket(s). Am I right to assume (fear) this?

If this really is the case, is this a big thing? Please keep in mind that workshop costs in Norway are astronomical ($ 180-200 / hour is quite normal).

Concidering taking the car to Poland for fixing, but maybe driving this far is not a good idea? (Would be approx. 1200 km/ 750 miles).

All answers are highly appreciated.

Cato

nuc

Could be a small weeping leak from the thermostat sealing area.

I would clean area well and totally dry. Be certain system is full and go for a shrt drive, but get car up to operating temp. Check area again with a strong light and you should be able to see where the coolant is seeping/leaking from.

Go from there.

'84 Euro 5 spd.

Barry Chan

yes it could be the oring for the thermostat, happened to my 84

IcemanG17

sounds like a leak of the water bridge.....fairly common and easy to fix.....2 gaskets and 2 O rings

fraggle

Could also be the spigot at the rear to the heater valve. Early versions (including the one on my '87) corrode and leak. New part is $50 and half an hour to put in.

gbgastowers

My coolant leak at the top was cured by tightening the hose clamp on the radiator hose where it connects to the water bridge.

the flyin' scotsman

I had this exact leak.....took considerable searching to verify as antifreeze finds the weirdest places to drip from.

I fixed the spigot as it literally came apart in my hands when removed from the engine block. Clean both pieces very well then glue together with a glues that resistant to the fluid.

I've a thread on the procedure.

87landshark

I would also bet on a coolant leak at the bridge.I am also nursing one now on my 87 5 spd. A head gasket leak would more than likely bring about so many other maladies. Don't get too worked up about it just yet.

fraggle

By the way the newer spigot part is no longer two pieces, one nice casting now.

the flyin' scotsman

Interesting they modified the casting......wonders never cease.

For the OP......if you dont know what the spigot is, its bolted to the rear of the block and feeds engine coolant through a hose to the hot water valve then the HVAC system.

Heres a pic of what should be 'one' piece:

NoVector

Cato - When you say the top of the engine, do you mean the very top--as in the valley, or do you mean the crator area behind/below the front elbow fitting (thermostat) on the front of the engine?

Not sure about a '78, but on my 84, there's also a block-off plate on the rear of the driver's side head, facing the valley. It too can leak as it's just a gasket--just like the one on the water bridge (I think).

Personally, I doubt it's your head gasket just becuase there's so much other easier stuff it could be.

CatoBT

Thank you all very much for the informative replies!

Bruce - The liquid "rests" at the front of the engine block (just at the lovest point of the "V").

I cleaned it all away yesterday and drove 25 km. After the short drive there was a little liquid there, but not much (maybe a few cc). I've bought a new thermostate (incl. gaskets) just to be on the safe side.
Will change it this week.

Again: Thank you all very much for advices!

Cato

928Shane

I noticed the same thing on my 78' yesterday.

SteveG

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ce-please.html

There are other threads on this, you may search out. Here is one. I don't know what your MY would call for on the sides of the bridge, but I'm pretty sure the large one in the center highlighted in the PET scan in this thread is the common problem. Hope this helps.

x98boardwell

I never knew that fitting wasn't one piece. How many of these leak from the seal between those two parts...?

When my motor was out I cleaned up that block off plate and spigot as it had much crusting on it but never thought that could be the source of the leak. If this is 2 pieces should we aluminum weld to be sure...?

Reviving an old thread but this pic was interesting. Thanks for any help!