Generation Specific => Second Generation 1970-1981 => Topic started by: jvmagic on November 29, 2021, 03:10:27 PM

Title: Coolant leak
Post by: jvmagic on November 29, 2021, 03:10:27 PM

Happy Thanksgiving!

My 79’ TA (all original 403) has started to leak coolant and I see the leak coming near where the transmission joins the motor (best guess without removing anything). It’s drips down the starter and also hitting the exhaust pipe (see video).
I also see some yellow gooey buildup near the starter (I assume it's due to the coolant leak).

Any ideas/suggestions are greatly welcomed.

Thanks in advance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMmzT2g1QWA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMmzT2g1QWA)

Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: 5th T/A on November 29, 2021, 03:28:27 PM

From the video it looks like it has been leaking for a while. There are lots of possibilities. I would start looking at the top of the engine first. It could be a heater hose, heater control valve, intake manifold gasket, head gasket, freeze plug in a head or the block. I think there are three freeze plugs on each side of the block, with one being above the starter. I would use a cooling system pressure tester, you can borrow one from many auto parts stores for free. This way you don’t have to have the engine running or a hot engine while trying to determine the source of the leak. You probably will have to remove the starter to get a better view.