[Impalanoia]

http://imgur.com/a/TpLPcLm

Back of engine, bottom, passenger side, below steering pump and alternator.

So I know it’s not the intake manifold gaskets, because I just did them and it had no effect. This leak looks exactly like it did before I did that job.

I caved in and bought a combustion gas test kit, and it did turn green yellow — exhaust gas is in the coolant. (And yes, I wish I had done that first, but I was still hoping.)

What I wonder and hope someone might confirm is, is there any chance this could be the timing chain cover gasket? From what I can gather, it could cause the leak, just not sure if it definitely couldn’t cause the positive combustion gas test as well.

It had so many problems leading up to this that I’m not sure how to describe everything. It had been losing coolant and overheated at least once (which may be what blew the gasket if so), and there had been a lot of sludge in the cooling system. What I can say right now is, no white smoke, at least. Just this copious leak.

Another possibility I can imagine is, there’s an internal head gasket leak or cracked head in addition to this leak, which might still be the timing chain gasket. The more I learn about these cars, the more I would consider multiple problems at once.

Thanks in advance—trying to decide if this car is worth the work. Only 86k miles. From the outside or sitting in the cabin, it seems crazy to essentially scrap it, but here I am.

 

[Bill58]

Year and engine would help. The 3.5L and 3.9L engines had a coolant crossover pipe leaking problem.

 

[Impalanoia]

Year and engine would help. The 3.5L and 3.9L engines had a coolant crossover pipe leaking problem.

Sorry about that … 2003 3.4L.

 

[hatzie]

The water pump and/or coolant bypass elbow aren't leaking?
Not saying head gaskets can't leak coolant externally but I'd look at the water pump and the coolant bypass elbow first.

 

[Impalanoia]

The water pump and/or coolant bypass elbow aren't leaking?
Not saying head gaskets can't leak coolant externally but I'd look at the water pump and the coolant bypass elbow first.

I really appreciate the response. This is the rear of the engine compartment and I can’t see any way the water pump would be putting coolant there … water pump itself shows no leakage. But I’d love it if it could be that somehow.

I’ve heard talk of these elbows but had thought they were limited to the 3.8s (this is a 3.4). I’ve been in there down to the LIM and never saw any hoses or such going through there. There’s a metal coolant bypass that runs across the front of the engine compartment over to the heater hoses, but it’s even further away from this spot and also completely dry.

Thanks again for the thoughts … I would really love for this to be something I’m just not getting.

 

[metalmike187]

What does your engine oil look like?

 

[Impalanoia]

What does your engine oil look like?

That’s the other part that doesn’t really seem to add up … I’ve never had the “milkshake.” The coolant seems to pick up some oil (not huge amounts) but I haven’t seen any coolant in the oil. It all makes me think there might be several issues going on here.

 

[hatzie]

I've seen freeze plugs rust through as well.
You may want to look up there and make sure.

Head gaskets aren't a much more miserable job than lower intake gaskets. I usually do head gaskets on a GM V6 when I do the intake gaskets it's just a few more bolts and a lot more clean up. Once it's done it's done and I don't have to worry about whether it's going to blow them later or not.
The miserable part is getting the exhaust manifolds loose.

 

[Impalanoia]

I've seen freeze plugs rust through as well.
You may want to look up there and make sure.

Head gaskets aren't a much more miserable job than lower intake gaskets. I usually do head gaskets on a GM V6 when I do the intake gaskets it's just a few more bolts and a lot more clean up. Once it's done it's done and I don't have to worry about whether it's going to blow them later or not.
The miserable part is getting the exhaust manifolds loose.

Thanks ... I hadn’t heard of freeze plugs before — will check for sure.

Definitely really wish I’d gone those few extra steps when I did the LIM. I was right there thinking I’d really regret it later if the head gasket blew or was already blown. Definitely a live and learn experience there.

Have heard about people having to cut the manifold bolts?