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Bad OUTER coolant seal on rear iron...

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Old 04-04-09, 10:53 AM
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Bad OUTER coolant seal on rear iron...

Never heard of it happening before really, but apparently, I have a pinhole leak on the rear iron outer coolant seal. I just happened to notice it yesterday. I would have never known had I not shined the flashlight down there. I have searched around and having found anything about outer seals leaking, except for maybe into the oil pan.

It seems to be leaking where the rotor housing and the rear iron meets the rear rotor housing, just to the side of the coolant temp guage sensor, under the filter pedestal. The whole reason I was down there was to clean all the crud off the motor so i could see how bad the filter pedestal was leaking.

I'll get some pics later, but it basically looks like a tear drop of green coolant...and that is after HEAVY driving.

My question is, is this an "OH MY GOD" big deal or just the signs of an aging motor. I'd like the motor to last me at least another year before I drop a new engine in it. Thoughts on stop leak since it seems to be so very small?

I am going to go drive the 7 around and get it nice and hot, then take pics.
Old 04-04-09, 11:55 AM
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Here are the pics of where the leak is. Teeny tiny leak as you can see, if you can even tell.
Attached Thumbnails Bad OUTER coolant seal on rear iron...-pic1.jpg   Bad OUTER coolant seal on rear iron...-pic2.jpg  
Old 04-04-09, 12:04 PM
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pressure test for leaks to be sure
Old 04-04-09, 10:57 PM
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It is definately seeping. Like an eye dropper full of fluid after lots and lots of driving. This leak is almost impossibly small. I want to cuss and scream. I wish i could get better pics since it is so small, but all I have is an SLR and it doesn't fit between all of those hoses.
Old 04-04-09, 11:19 PM
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Out coolant seal leaks suck big time. First rebuild on my engine i pinched the outer coolant seal. The leak was so large, that when the engine was hot enough, the coolant would make a huge smoke screen as it poured onto my exhaust manifold.

I was not happy.
Old 04-05-09, 12:00 AM
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Originally Posted by SleepeR1st
Out coolant seal leaks suck big time. First rebuild on my engine i pinched the outer coolant seal. The leak was so large, that when the engine was hot enough, the coolant would make a huge smoke screen as it poured onto my exhaust manifold.

I was not happy.
This fortunately is very tiny. Like I said, I would have found it unless I was cleaning and using a flashlight in the process.
Old 04-05-09, 12:34 AM
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small leaks just turn into big leaks...may as well just fix it now
Old 04-05-09, 12:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Spock
small leaks just turn into big leaks...may as well just fix it now

I don't have the money by A long shot. I am going to stop leak it I guess. Just one more year...

*Knocks on wood*
Old 04-05-09, 01:07 AM
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bubble gum? just saying
Old 04-05-09, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by rx7_FREAKKK
bubble gum? just saying
Essentially, yes. If I can make it okay until the holidays this year I'll be solid.

I am wondering if the oil pedestal leak could have caused this. The oil comes off the pedestal in the back and rolls down the seam where the rear iron and rear rotor housing meet. I would assume oil can get into that tiny crack and possibly swell the seal over time. Could also be the tension bolts I suppose. I had a seep at my water filler neck after I changed my radiator and putting a 1/2 lb. extra torque on the bolts stopped that. Who knows, it is just speculation.

I'll try to get some better shots tommorow just so folks can see it, and maybe go and inspect thier own vehicle for such a teeny tiny leak. It is stupid small.
Old 03-26-12, 09:41 PM
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Time to revive this thread, as I have not been able to find any others that deal with outer coolant seal "seepage".

I have this same leak as well as a leak between the center iron and both the front and rear housing at the spark plug level. There is also a leak between the center iron and the front housing right above the front primary injector.

Did the block sealer work? Which one did you use?
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