coolant leaking from timing cover gasket maybe?

[bobb1589]

So it looks like i might have a leak from the timing cover gasket in my car, I didn't think that it was possible, but I looked at the repair guide and this is what it shows http://econtent.autozone.com:24991/znetrgs/repair_guide_content/en_us/images//0900c152/80/0b/84/3b//large/0900c152800b843b.gif. it is a 3.4l v6 . it looks like there are two coolant passages that go through the timing cover to the water pump... so does anyone know if this is infact the situation? and in the case that it is the timing cover gasket, what do you think the cost to fix would be?

[chrisfrom nj]

water pump houseing

[bobb1589]

doesn't look like its comign from the housing, and the water pump was replaced recently

[Batman]

I doubt it is a bad timing cover gasket, might be coming from the water pump and running down there. Does your pump have a weep hole in it? if so check to see if it is wet. Has the pump been off before?

[bobb1589]

the pump has been off for teh same looking leak, and its been replaced and its still leeking

[rscamaro73]

the pump has been off for teh same looking leak, and its been replaced and its still leeking

In this case I'd change out the timing cover as well, just to eliminate any other issues. There is a chance you got a bad w/p if its rebuilt.

What are you doing with the gaskets ? Any RTV usage ?

Possibly a cracked hose ?

[bobb1589]

i dont see it coming from any hose's, i cant really tell where its coming from, i just see a stream coming down the block and it really looks like its coming from teh timing cover gasket

[bobb1589]

does anyone have any idea on how much this would cost at a shop?(to replace the timing cover gasket) i can manage to do it myself, i just can't manage to find the time. for now it seems that the bar's leak stuff has been working for the past few months but i would feel alot better if i just fixed the issue, other than that the car runs great

[sweetbmxrider]

7.5 book time. add .4 if you have a/c

my 3.4 did the same thing. its really not that bad of a job, just time consuming. i'd probably do a new chain and gears since they are right there.

[bobb1589]

7.5 book time. add .4 if you have a/c

my 3.4 did the same thing. its really not that bad of a job, just time consuming. i'd probably do a new chain and gears since they are right there.

you have done this? I read the breakdown on it and i am just kind of intimidated by it

[sweetbmxrider]

yeah i mean if you have the tools and the time its not terrible. i wasn't driving the car so i gave it a weekend and let the gaskets setup overnight.

[LTb1ow]

JSFBOA does work ?

[sweetbmxrider]

ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh i dono if i'd wanna do that again.....i'll watch you

[bobb1589]

i guess ill just keep using bar's stop leak in it... it seems to be doing the trick for a while... just gotta be careful i don't gunk up the motor too bad...I don't think I have the time / drive to do this and i am definitely not putting $1000 into the car haha


thanks for the info

[sweetbmxrider]

1. Disconnect throttle body air duct, then remove serpentine drive belt.
2. Remove water pump refer to Cooling System/Water Pump, then the crankshaft balancer assembly using torsional damper remover tool No. J 24420, or equivalent.
3. Remove power steering pump and bracket, then the oil pan assembly refer to Engine/Engine Lubrication/Oil Pan, Engine.
4. Disconnect lower radiator hose from front cover assembly, then remove crankshaft sensor.
5. Remove front cover assembly.
6. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:

1. Tighten fasteners to specifications.
2. Coat both sides of lower tabs of front cover gasket with sealer No. 1052080, or equivalent (RTV).
3. Install crankshaft balancer assembly using torsional damper installer tool No. J 29113, or equivalent.

[bobb1589]

1. Disconnect throttle body air duct, then remove serpentine drive belt.
2. Remove water pump refer to Cooling System/Water Pump, then the crankshaft balancer assembly using torsional damper remover tool No. J 24420, or equivalent.
3. Remove power steering pump and bracket, then the oil pan assembly refer to Engine/Engine Lubrication/Oil Pan, Engine.
4. Disconnect lower radiator hose from front cover assembly, then remove crankshaft sensor.
5. Remove front cover assembly.
6. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:

1. Tighten fasteners to specifications.
2. Coat both sides of lower tabs of front cover gasket with sealer No. 1052080, or equivalent (RTV).
3. Install crankshaft balancer assembly using torsional damper installer tool No. J 29113, or equivalent.

Thanks, I have the manual though :wink:. Only thing that scares me I think is the Oil pan. I don't know maybe I will give it a shot, we'll see.

[sweetbmxrider]

yeah i was thinkin about it. i might have taken the bolts out from the middle forward. i deff didn't drop the oil pan, just give it a little extra rtv and it should be fine. as long as you can remove and install the crank pulley, you should be ok.

[LTb1ow]

Def drop the pan, I tried to sneak my timing cover off without doing that and paid for it, tore the gasket and had to really drop the pan versus just lowering it.