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for the past few days I've been battling a persistent coolant leak behind the timing cover where the cover meets the block. For some reason coolant keeps managing to find a way to leak out of the water passages. At least twice initially at the advice of some reputable mechanics in the area who advised no additional sealant on the timing cover gasket. At the third time and fed up I managed to find my old Haynes manual and in the manual it states to coat the back and front of the timing cover gasket with a little sealant. Third time changing and so far no leak I hope. It's getting extremely tiring disassembling all the pulleys and stuff especially that press fit harmonic balancer.
I'm just curious as to why there are coolant passages to interface with the timing cover. I'm trying to visualize how and why coolant would flow through these passages. The timing chain doesn't need cooling does it?
Oh and by the way the car has a 3.4 block on a 2000 Chevy Malibu
Ben wrote: To feed the water pump . I would never assemble without sealant!
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I agree. Sealant is a must. I dont use sealant on most rubber gaskets though and didnt ever have a problem.
Also check if any coolant has leaked into the sump.
Chains shouldnt have any contact with water, they are lubricated by the engine oil.
A leak from mating surfaces are most commonly caused when people use a tool to pry the specific "part" loose which damages the mating surfaces (thats what i notice on 70% of the vehicles i have worked on) and ofcourse when sealant is not used.
Sealant must be used with the gasket to basically glue up the parts together, at times you could get away without sealant but its a gamble.
I think the more i work on this car the more i despise GM for their design choices.
( Currently trying to remove the drivers side inner tie rod with absolutely no room to work and the tie rod being punched down makes it next to near impossible to servicel
[quote="Ash03" post=6353 Also check if any coolant has leaked into the sump.
Chains shouldnt have any contact with water, they are lubricated by the engine oil.
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That's a good suggestion. It would be a shame to to have gone through all this work to wipe out the bottom end because of coolant mixing in the oil pan!
I think when cars are made, manufacturers find the worst possible place to fit stuff so that it makes the common mechanic or diy-ers have a hard time, so that they could just take the vehicle to a dealership to fix the problem at a stupid price. Its just a money making scheme.
And its not only GM, all cars have a part/s that are a pain to remove or work on.
Just my opinion.. lol
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