coolant gushing out after head replacement

[davisw999]

I just finished putting my 4.0 V6 back together after replacing both cylinder heads (they were cracked). It seemed like everything went back together well and I followed every step as best I could. However, when I started to flush the cooling system (before I'd even tried to start it up) I immediately had coolant gushing out of the top rear of the engine. I pulled the upper intake off and I still couldn't see any obvious things I forgot. I'm guessing that I'll need to dig all the way back in to maybe find that the head isn't on flat or something?

Any other suggestions?

BTW, thanks BrooklynBay for the great flush instructions on the Technician forum!

-Bill D.

 

[NHale623]

Can you tell if it's coming from the head, or the intake?

Where did you get the heads that were installed? Did you torque the head bolts properly?

 

[lilbeefy]

stupid question but the gaskets were installed and seated correct?

 

[davisw999]

that seems like a fair question to me! Everything seemed correct...

 

[davisw999]

I got the heads from an online supplier. I followed the multi-step torque process in the instructions, concluding with the final 90 deg. turn.

 

[reserved50]

put it back together and pressure test it or take a closer look, you have to find out where the leak is first

 

[lilbeefy]

you could always have a second set of eyes help you find it, if you did all the work, a new set of eyes could spot something you looked over. I know I work as an aircraft mechanic and everything I do especially big jobs i get a second person to check my work.

 

[ñòóKýçrÕôK]

Where is the water coming out and did you replacement gaskets go completely around each bolt hole? My Geo tracker has a carb bolt that goes right through the intake manifold and had a crack in the gasket allowing it to rush out and into the intake. I also just made a homemade gasket out of a beer box for a Subaru with the exact same problem. It sound like to me that maybe you got the wrong gasket. Possably for another year model of the same vehicle.

 

[davisw999]

I finally had the time to dig back in and check this problem out. Luckily for me the problem was the lower intake manifold gasket and not the head(s). When I installed the IM gasket, it had folded on itself somehow and so wasn't circling the rear water channel. That's what I get for working on this at night! Anyhow, problem fixed. Thanks to all who responded!