coolant leak

[bearsden]

Just received my jeep in desmoines that i purchased in Arizona and when the guy backed it off the transporter it started leaking coolant badly. It is a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and i can't tell where its coming from.looks like by the manifold.Running down the side of the block and off the oil pan.But i can't really see under there. Nothing in the oil itself. The guy said everything was fine when he loaded it. i'm looking forward to my new jeep adventure already!! Might as well dive in head first!!

 

[Saddle Tramp]

It could be a soft plug. They are round sheet metal like plugs that push into the side of the block along the coolant channel. They are designed to pop out if the coolant starts to freeze.

 

[bearsden]

i did see what i think your talking about,thank you !!!

 

[bearsden]

are they difficult to replace?

 

[Torxhead]

Actually quite easy if you can get at them. knock the bottom in with a soft punch and the top portion will come out. Grab hold of it with something like vise grips and yank it out. Use a socket as a punch to tap a new one back in. Further info is on the net, as there are also a tighten down type. It helps to drain out the coolant first. Usually the oem ones are made from steel which rust out and the replacements are made from brass.

 

[bearsden]

thank you very much I can't wait to get home tonight and check it out !

 

[Flex BT]

There are a lot of places it could be coming from. It might be a bad manifold gasket or maybe it's a loose hose and it's just dripping along the bottom where you can't see. If you find the source and aren't sure what to do post a picture here and we can point you in the right direction.

 

[Petescj]

Flex is right , identify the source of the leak first. It may well be a loose hose or something else. If you do find its a freeze plug be careful when your using the hammer and punch. Dont go in all guns blazing or you might push the plug inside the block. I did it on the head of a 360 and it was no fun task retrieving it.

 

[bearsden]

ok it looks like its blowing out between the block and the head. towards the very front of the engine. I was told when i bought it that it had been rebuilt about 20,000 miles ago.And being as i just rolled it off the transporter and it literally poured out the bottom,I'm not that happy.But either way i will have to fix it.So what am i getting into? there is no water or antifreeze in the oil. however there is just a little milkiness on the valve cover cap. And after i ran it to diagnose the leak and shut it off,it did some funky run on thing for just a moment.So any help would be greatly appreciated! thanks for your time guys!