Rambo Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Hi everyone, I recently picked up a 94 loyale with a few problems. Today I was replacing the valve cover gasket and decided to check my spark plugs for oil. I unexpectedly found some coolant on my spark plug (upper passenger side). I also realized that I was empty on coolant. I don't know where the leak is coming from, but I do have some clues. Hopefully you guys can help me out. I took some pictures but didn't realize that they are oversized for this forum so I'm going to retake them in about 30 minutes when I get home. Best description I can give for now is that there is puddle of coolant 12 and 3 o'clock from the upper passenger side spark plug, as well as what looks like a bolt hole beside it (is there supposed to be something in there?). Pics will be up soon. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesmith Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 (edited) You could be missing a head bolt. If there's coolant on the plugs it could indicate a blown head gasket. How does it run? can't be good for the ol' air fuel mixture if coolant is getting into the cylinder like that Edited May 31, 2016 by thesmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Dawg Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 Should becoming from the intake manifold at the where it meet the cylinder head and or that little boochy bobber copper colored elbow ... mine blew the intake manifold gasket there and rolled back into the number 4 cylinder... I think that hole is for when we lift the motor out? My spark plug looked like it came from an aquarium, so I know exactally what your talking about lol ! and yeah for some reason I too am running into the oversized image problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambo Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 Thanks for the quick replies! Ok so the hole with the coolant actually has no threads so it's not for a bolt. You can see it in the second picture. Though there is another empty hole with threads to the right of it. And there is coolant near the lower passenger side spark plug (pic 2), but none managed to get in. There was only coolant (not too much) in the upper plug (pic 1). In pic 2 you can see that there is some dried coolant around the bolts on both sides of the green.. thing. I'm mechanically handicapped, so can you guys tell me how to diagnose a blown head gasket? And could you explain what/where the copper elbow is? I'm not sure what the intake manifold or cylinder head is, but I have a repair manual that can help me figure it out. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to find out where the leak is coming for sure? I think the car runs fine. It seems a little slow, but I thought that's normal for this model. It doesn't accelerate fast and generally tops at 80mph (please tell me thats normal). I've noticed the temperature get high (but not in the red) only twice now, but it quickly cooled off and it was caused by low oil levels. The car sounds pretty loud, but that's normal too from what I've read. I'm not sure what to be looking/hearing for when I drive. I think I went in a bit over my head buying this car and am now regretting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambo Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 And is an intake manifold gasket replacement something a very inexperienced person can do? I've only ever changed a valve cover gasket and front brake pads. Also, could you guys tell me how to put spaces between my sentences? When I post it clumps everything back together even though I hit the enter bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Search threads about head gaskets and intake manifolds. EA82 engine. There is a LOT of information about what to do, what not to do. It is not normal for coolant to be in those holes. Don't let the coolant get low - check before every drive, until you find and fix the leak. Running low on coolant to the point that gets an above normal temperature reading damages the head gaskets. The most common head gasket failure is combustion chamber to coolant. Intake gaskets can fail, letting coolant into the intake. This can be slow enough to not notice, unless you are checking the coolant level frequently. If you wait until an overheat, you now need head gaskets also. Been there, done that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesmith Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Consider it an educational experience. These cars are a great way to learn basic auto skills, cheap to buy and parts are cheap (mostly) too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Ed Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 Well, welcome to the forum. First things first. On the front of your intake manifold is 2 small hoses, their about 1/4" ID. theres one that runs from your thermostat over to the block, when it cracks or leaks it can spray it coolant all over that side of the engine. Next rinse the engine off. If your using the green antifreeze it will glow yellowish green under a black light, (hint, hint). Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambo Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 Thanks Uncle Ed! One of the small hoses is leaking coolant. Thank God it wasn't something worse. I went to a few places but they didn't have that hose in stock so I was wondering if you guys could tell me what the name is for that part so I can order it online. I attached a picture for reference (small bent hose with Phillips clamp). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Napa used to sell coolant hose off of reels that works for that. Do not use any hose unless it is specifically rated for coolant system use . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambo Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 Ok I managed to find coolant hose but I cut it a bit too short. The leak is fixed but the nipples where the hose attaches to are a little exposed. Will that cause any problems or should I get another hose? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Ed Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I've been using fuel line to replace them. I know of several other post where they've done the same. Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Gates hose #18020 is a trim to fit replacement for both of the small coolant lines. Block to t-stat housing, and heater return pipe to throttle-body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 I did the fuel line replacement once. Years ago, before I learned the hard way. It failed in a fairly short time, lost enough coolant to cause a mild overheat. Ended up having to replace headgaskets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firemanjim Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Most of the time it's just the head gaskets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Most of the time it's just the head gaskets? More details of your trouble specifically would be good for more accurate answers. But a general rule from my experience: Over normal temperature while low on coolant = head gaskets fail. Depending on how hot & how long, how fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cortado Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 (edited) Hey guys! Bringing up an old thread here. Same problem, though I don't see where the coolant is coming from, and it's only intermittent leaking. Both passenger side spark plugs are covered in a little green lake of goodness, and it's pretty thick like it's been there a while. Seeing the oil deposits everywhere, I think it's probably a head gasket leaking externally. I don't see milky oil, there is a little whitish exhaust sometimes, especially when cold out. On longer drives, I can smell the burned antifreeze when I exit the car, and there is sometimes antifreeze steam -- again, on colder days and longer drives it's more evident. I can't find the source of this antifreeze. See pics below. What do you guys think? Edited September 17, 2017 by Tony Cortado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 There are a total of 7 hoses involved with the cooling system. A few of them can leak on top of the block. Unless you know they are new, replace all of them. Be sure to clean the nipples , they typically have rust and won't seal. I have found that plumber's silicon grease makes later disassembly much easier. Once the new hoses are on, and you have followed the procedure to remove most of the air, watch the coolant level closely. You may have an intake gasket leak - those can go either into the intake or out onto the block. Head gaskets can develop seeps to the outside. I have usually seen this after an overheat while low on coolant. This also can lead to blown head gaskets. Smelling hot coolant usually means a small leak where it hits something hot. Intake leak has to get very bad before smoke gets obvious. Coolant in the oil doesn't usually happen until the head gaskets are VERY well blown. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 Hey guys! Bringing up an old thread here. Same problem, though I don't see where the coolant is coming from, and it's only intermittent leaking. Both passenger side spark plugs are covered in a little green lake of goodness, and it's pretty thick like it's been there a while. Seeing the oil deposits everywhere, I think it's probably a head gasket leaking externally. I don't see milky oil, there is a little whitish exhaust sometimes, especially when cold out. On longer drives, I can smell the burned antifreeze when I exit the car, and there is sometimes antifreeze steam -- again, on colder days and longer drives it's more evident. I can't find the source of this antifreeze. See pics below. What do you guys think? this looks like leaking intake gaskets 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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