Coolant leaking out between rear iron and trans...

85rx-7gsl-se · 06-23-2011, 05:51 PM

I have a half-brige old-style 4 port 13B I am messing with and we noticed just sitting cold that it is dripping a little coolant out between where the rear iron and rx-4 bellhousing mate. What could be causing this?

Also I did note that the way the engine is installed the rear of the engine sits noticeably lower than the front so any liquid would flow towards that point when stationary.

RETed · 06-23-2011, 06:50 PM

If it is truly leaking from between there, it can't be good...

You've basically got two possibilities:
1) tension bolt / washer is not sealing
2) freeze plug is loose
There is #3...cracked rear plate.

I'm hoping it's leaking from somewhere on top of the engine...?
Then any myriad of coolant hoses running in and out of the intake manifold...

-Ted

RX SE7EN · 06-23-2011, 07:20 PM

I had this problem as well. I had purchased a rebuilt engine (it hadn't been started since its rebuild). I kept getting air pockets in my coolant system causing it to overheat, then I found that it was leaking by the bellhousing.

I removed the transmission, and found that all of the tension bolt seals/washers had been reused. I removed 1 at a a time, took the seal off, slathered a ton of "Great Stuff" sealant on it, and torqued it back down to spec. It's been fine for 3 years now.

Pete_89T2 · 06-23-2011, 07:59 PM

I'm not too familiar with the old-school 4 port 13B's, do they have any small coolant hoses like the FC? (e.g., small hose from rear iron to TB) If so, that's the first thing I'd check, but otherwise what Ted said.

85rx-7gsl-se · 06-23-2011, 11:02 PM

This thing is pretty stripped down and doesnt appear to have any coolant hoses running around on top. It is running an RB intake and holley 4 barrel

***TitaniumTT*** · 06-24-2011, 07:59 AM

In that case, I'd have to go with tension bolt or freeze plug....

06-24-2011, 07:59 AM	#6
*TitaniumTT* Test Whore - Admin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right Behind you son Posts: 4,581 Rep Power: 10	In that case, I'd have to go with tension bolt or freeze plug.... __________________ -The Angry Stig- DGRR 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2013 - Best FC DEALS GAP!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! 2015 Audi S4 - Samantha - Zero Brap S4 2004 RX8 - Jocelyn - 196rwhp, 19mpg fuel to noise converter 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport - Wifey mobile - Now with 2.5" OME lift and 30" BFG AT KO's! So it begins 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 5 spd, 4" lift, 33" BFG's - Rotary Tow Vehicle 1988 'Vert - In progress 1988 FC Coupe - Gretchen -The attention whore BEAST! I'm a sick individual, what's wrong with you? I'm pure Evil I'm still insane, in the best possible way. I think Brian's idea of romance is using lube. Your rage caused the meteor strike in Russia. The Antichrist would be proud of his minion. You win with your thread. Most everything It's a truck with a steel gate on the back. Just a statement of fact Motec M820, AIM dash, ported 13B-RE Cosmo, 6-spd trans, 4.3 Torsen, custom twin wg fully divided mani, Custom 4" split into 2x 3" exhaust, Custom HMIC, Custom custom custom custom I like to welder stuff.... No Bolt-ons allowed. Dyno'ed @ Speed1 Tuned by me - 405rwhp on WG.... WM50 cuming soon. *-Angry Motherfcker Mode ENGAGED-**

06-23-2011, 07:20 PM	#3
RX SE7EN Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 183 Rep Power: 16	I had this problem as well. I had purchased a rebuilt engine (it hadn't been started since its rebuild). I kept getting air pockets in my coolant system causing it to overheat, then I found that it was leaking by the bellhousing. I removed the transmission, and found that all of the tension bolt seals/washers had been reused. I removed 1 at a a time, took the seal off, slathered a ton of "Great Stuff" sealant on it, and torqued it back down to spec. It's been fine for 3 years now.

06-23-2011, 07:59 PM	#4
Pete_89T2 Lifetime Rotorhead Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elkton, MD Posts: 874 Rep Power: 16	I'm not too familiar with the old-school 4 port 13B's, do they have any small coolant hoses like the FC? (e.g., small hose from rear iron to TB) If so, that's the first thing I'd check, but otherwise what Ted said.