95 trans am coolant leak while engine off

Avatar
HITAM6
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
i have a 95 trans am LT1 6-speed 119,000 miles, recently i felt a hesitation in the engine when i reached the higher rpm range, a fews days later the car started leaking coolant, but it only leaks coolant when the car is turned off, it has never overheated, and still doesn't, it runs and idles fine, theres no smoke, oil is fine. the coolant is leaking from right above the crank pulley it looks like from around the spark plug area, it doesn't appear to be the water pump, i had a compression check say theres exhaust gasses in the cooling system, is this a head gasket or worse? theres no smoke or weird sound while running and the oil isn't milky.
Aug 3, 2007 at 10:10 AM
Avatar
SERVICE WRITER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,123 POSTS
If you have exhaust gases in the coolant you have a bad headgasket, and/or bad head and/or cracked block. Mostly likely headgasket, possibly head, unlikley block.
Aug 3, 2007 at 12:38 PM
Avatar
RASMATAZ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 75,988 POSTS
[quote:ad47e85650="Service Writer"]If you have exhaust gases in the coolant you have a bad headgasket, and/or bad head and/or cracked block. Mostly likely headgasket, possibly head, unlikley block.[/quote:ad47e85650]

Just helping here, leaking around the spark plug-Try removing the plugs out and cranking it over for 10secs you see coolant coming out that confirms SW suspicions.

Also when engine is hot-does it cranks over easily-if not than could be hydrolocked-in by water in the combustion chamber.

Sounds like the escort lol huh SW. Good day my friend.
Aug 3, 2007 at 4:22 PM
Avatar
SERVICE WRITER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,123 POSTS
Nice follow up Jess!

What Escort? :wink:
Aug 4, 2007 at 12:02 AM
Avatar
HITAM6
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
it starts right up when hot.
Aug 5, 2007 at 4:22 PM
Avatar
SERVICE WRITER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,123 POSTS
Razamataz's advice should be followed. If is does getting hydolocked, you may trash the engine. Get those plugs out and turn it over. Don't put this off.
Aug 5, 2007 at 9:39 PM
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle