Ok, So I'm wondering (after searching through the forums)
what the options are for dealing with a coolant seal leak.

I know I can simply have the engine rebuilt, but I'm wondering if simply replacing the gasket is sufficient, and how to check if that is the case.

I've heard of the liquid fix, and am not going down that road...

Details: 1987 GXL (N/A) Stock 5 speed

 

If you have the engine apart to replace the seal you might as well go ahead and rebuild while you are in there.

 

^^ like floppy said, you have to have the engine apart to replace the coolant seal.

 

Rebuild, its the only option. The only way to fix a coolant seal leak is to pull the motor apart and replace the seals. While you have the engine apart you should replace all the other seals as well. You could keep driving it if you really dont want to rebuild, but I wouldnt. Youll end up overheating it and doing major damamge to the engine. Also, DO NOT let it sit without running. Coolant will leak into the engine chamber and rust out the whole engine.

 

On not letting it sit... my coolant seals just started leaking (well, it just started smoking on startup, and losing a little coolant), how often would you say it should be started to prevent it from rusting out?

 

So if I'm going to let it sit a bit before working on it, I should drain the coolant ?

 

That or burn it out every now and then...

 

Drain the coolant (and drain it from the engine block as well, there's a coolant drain plug on one of the engine mount sides - it's the long plug that's NOT running through a mount).

Then disconnect the ignition, dump some engine fogging oil (or just plain engine oil should be OK) down the intake (pump it in if you want, or pull the upper intake manifold off and dump it down the runners), crank the engine over a few times to distribute the oil.

Then plug up the intake & exhaust ports tightly.

This *should* keep the internals usable until you get around to a rebuild.

Better yet, pull it apart as soon as you can, and store the parts somewhere inside.

-=Russ=-

 

I had the same problem as you. I figured if I'm going to take the time to rebuild an engine, I might as well just do a turbo swap.

 

Perhaps you misunderstand. Coolant seal is not just a gasket like a head gasket on a piston engine. They are 8 small rings, like big rubber bands, between each section of the rotary block. The entire thing must be dismantled to get to them. This is technically a rebuild, though it is possible to just replace the coolant seals and reinstall everything else in the same order it was originally, this is not adviseable because those parts are bound to be worn out as well.

 

Thanks man, I actually didn't know that.
I've got a replacement engine lined up. My hopes are to pull the busted one out, and put the replacement in. And somewhere along the line, have it rebuilt.

 

Opitons

A). Rebuild the engine
B). You could Rebuild the engine
C). R&R the motor
D). Pull the motor and replace all the internal gaskets



OKok.....just having a little fun. Your question is answered.