P38A What would cause this coolant leak

Just replaced the coil packs on my p38. What a ****ing job that is!

Got it back together and the engine is as sweet and smooth as anything. Better than it has ever been in terms of smoothness.

But it now is leaking coolant. Using best part of a header tank in approx 20 miles. Before doing the coil packs I haven’t topped the coolant up at all since doing the water pump 3 years or so ago.

Not really sure how changing the coil packs has caused this. First thought is head gasket. But I can see water at the bottom of the rocker cover join, all the way along the drivers cylinder bank. But this would be the top of the head, not the bottom. So I’m unsure.

The only part of the cooling system touched during the coil pack change was a rigid metal pipe that goes into the top of the engine between the intake manifold and alternator. But that all looks dry in there.

****ing p38’s. Not even a tank of fuel between major issues at the moment.

looks wet all along the bottom of the rocker cover above the spark plugs.



Manifold off to access the coil packs:

The heater hose right next to the coil packs where they go through bulk head.
Did you pull them about a bit doing the work?

How wet is the footwell carpet?

That much loss should be easy to find.

J

Heater hoses as said.
Throttle body heater hose's split.

In my experience, any and every connection can leak, especially if you do much as look at it.

Heater O rings. You touch those hoses in the engine bay, next thing you have coolant on the floor inside.

Could be corrosion on the metal pipes where the hoses attach ?? Doesn't take much movement to dislodge enough rust to allow water seepage out the hose join, and the spring hose clips cannot seal anymore.

pwood999 said:

Could be corrosion on the metal pipes where the hoses attach ?? Doesn't take much movement to dislodge enough rust to allow water seepage out the hose join, and the spring hose clips cannot seal anymore.

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You mean like this?

All that from heater unions? Atleast you know your pump is good order

kermit_rr said:

You mean like this?
View attachment 249442

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Yes, like that.