Coolant leaking from center Head Bolts?

yournytech

yournytech

YourNYTech
Joined
Aug 24, 2012
Messages
108
Location
Saratoga County, NY
So after replacing odd and end broken or limping parts on a '97 600 SX (VMAX) I bought, I decided to run it for 10-15 minutes to make sure all was good (I know, I had a feeling...) Smoked a lot like a fogged engine would/should and eventually cleared up to "normal" 2-cycle exhaust, and warmed up the engine, hoses, and both running board heat exchangers. I let it run while occasionally bumping the gas, and then noticed some coolant on the head. I know it wasn't there prior to starting it; I personally cleaned this engine last week. It is not obvious that it is weeping from these bolts, but the only logical place to come from. What do I have here? I have a feeling I will be making a call to the seller. What I need to know is how much of my $750 he will be putting in an envelope for me so I can fix this and sell it w/ a good conscience. Thanks in advance.
 

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It's more likely that your thermostat housing or the bleeder bolt is leaking. Go to the store and get the powdered desenex or creux, dry the surface, spray that stuff on lightly let it dry, apply a couple coats and let it dry. run the sled, the water leak will show up on the dried powder.
 
Try re-torquing the head bolts. Had that happen on my 780 motor once after I had a head off. For whatever reason it had been accurate the first time and once it heated and cooled I hit it again. My leaker was a little light and I never had a problem with it again. Might be all you need - or it might not.
 
I will try that (and the above re-tightening fix)... Does anyone think I have a more serious problem? Not looking to make it a serious issue, just want to make sure. This sled was intended to fix up and make a little profit. I have never had this in snow myself, but the guy who sold it to me slipped up a couple times and said stupid shtuff, which worries me he knew something was up. He also never rode the sled; took it as a trade for a boat during summer months this year.
 
Thanks for the suggestion! I have been a little under the weather since I first posted this, so haven't been out to work on it. Bought a new torque wrench and compression tester yesterday @ Harbor Freight last night, so maybe go out today and button her down to see how it goes. So.... your overall thoughts are it's NOT a major problem???
 
yournytech said:
So.... your overall thoughts are it's NOT a major problem???
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I think that at the most, it's gonna be a head gasket or thermostat neck gasket. Just a little nick in the head gasket going from the water jacket to the head stud will give you a leak.
 
A couple of bucks said:
I think that at the most, it's gonna be a head gasket or thermostat neck gasket. Just a little nick in the head gasket going from the water jacket to the head stud will give you a leak.
Click to expand...
Woo hoo!!!! (I have trouble controlling my emotions...)
 
Is it just the flash, or is there shinny spots on the neck. Like theres been recent work done.
Or mabey a 'clean stream'. Where a constant stream of hot antifreeze has washed away some dirt & crud.
 
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Not sure what you mean by "flash". As for the "quantity", it doesn't even amount to a trickle... if you wick it up it just slowly forms a wet spot, but would take 15 minutes + to even think of running off.
 
My 2 cents.. Get a better quality compression tester. I bought one from Harbor Freight to check compression on fresh rebuild, both cyl read 80psi. Returned it and borrowed a snap on gauge from a friend which gave me the correct readings. As for the leak, if not from the thermostat I would agree, most likely head gasket which is a easy job. Good luck!
 
Thanks for eveyone's help and info. I feel bad 'cause I haven't had time to get back to it, so I haven't gotten to the bottom of it yet! I'll let y'all know.
 
They were torqued down to at least 18 ft lbs... so I bumped up the wrench to 23 lbs on the center bolts and YES! the coolant stopped! Hope that doesn't cause any future issues though...
 
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