Sr20 coolant leak

[Sakii_s13]

Hey guys I just made my account because I'm new to the 240 scene and recently got my hand ona badass turbo sr20det s13. I been maintaining it well however today I found a small coolant leak under the intake manifold . I figure it's probably a small line that popped while overheating a few days ago and the cars probably been leaking since but I couldn't tell becaus of the rain . Please give me input on what I should do #mustiremoveintakemanifold?

[Alisaihin]

Coolant leak I found it comin from behind the intake mani it looks like it's from behind a bolt or maybe a hose I can't quite see please give me feedback on this

It seems you accidentally posted a new thread...

[Sakii_s13]

Idk how this works

[Alisaihin]

Hey guys I just made my account because I'm new to the 240 scene and recently got my hand ona badass turbo sr20det s13. I been maintaining it well however today I found a small coolant leak under the intake manifold . I figure it's probably a small line that popped while overheating a few days ago and the cars probably been leaking since but I couldn't tell becaus of the rain . Please give me input on what I should do #mustiremoveintakemanifold?

I'd honestly remove the intake manifold if it seems to be coming from underneath...can't properly diagnose with that in the way, now can you?

Hell, I'm actually kinda afraid you may be the unlucky bearer of a head gasket popping. Though you might have gotten lucky that it blew out on the outside of the motor. I run a KA24 so I don't know the exact coolant line placement of the SR20, but if it's coming from under the intake manifold be prepared to need a new head gasket. And potential resurfacing of the block and head (overheating can do that, alas!).

Basically, hope for the best (a line just sprung a leak), and prepare for the worst (Head Gasket...).

[Sakii_s13]

Awh s*** I hope not I mean the car seems to run fine but it does seen to run fine . The heads are all polished and board out . I hope it's. Just a line but I won't know until I remove the intake manifold tomorow . I have been runnjng the car for over a week I assume but the rain let up today and I just started seeing the little puddles of coolant I have pics of where the leak is located though

[Sakii_s13]

My water temps peaked at 245 because my fan got disconnected a week ago and I fixed it and the temps seem to be regulating at around 188

[Alisaihin]

Awh s*** I hope not I mean the car seems to run fine but it does seen to run fine . The heads are all polished and board out . I hope it's. Just a line but I won't know until I remove the intake manifold tomorow . I have been runnjng the car for over a week I assume but the rain let up today and I just started seeing the little puddles of coolant I have pics of where the leak is located though

If you can post the pics it might make it easier to determine.

Just from the sound of it the HG popped, due to it coming from under the intake manifold. I also don't think coolant lines run under there...but I could be wrong (just looking at pictures of them sitting in engine bays and the only lines I can see running under the manifold don't look like coolant lines...could be wrong though.)

[blkvrtswp]

There are a few place under the intake manifold that have hoses / clamps that can easily leak. Head gasket usually does not cause any external leaks - at least not on this engine.

To get to and repair a cracked hose or loose clamp under the intake runners is not fun. Removing the manifold to get to them is more work, but at least you can replace everything and check all the clamps & hoses so you don't have to redo it a month later.

I would see what you can reach before thinking about manifold removal. Good luck!

EDIT: Also check the heater core hoses - they are also a tight fit, right on the back of the engine and the firewall by the intake manifold. There will usually be at least 6 hose clamps on the 2 hoses connecting the SR engine to the firewall heater core nipples. You can see / check the ones on the heater core easily.

[Sakii_s13]

Hey BlK. I appreciate the positive feedback . Yeh it all seems to be external I have pics that I took today but I'm new to NicO and don't know how to post them. I turned down my boost from 20lbs to 16 and the leaking isn't as bad but I still want to fix it . Let me know how I can post pics so we can get more accurate feedback

[Alisaihin]

Hey BlK. I appreciate the positive feedback . Yeh it all seems to be external I have pics that I took today but I'm new to NicO and don't know how to post them. I turned down my boost from 20lbs to 16 and the leaking isn't as bad but I still want to fix it . Let me know how I can post pics so we can get more accurate feedback

If you can upload them to an image hosting site then put the url as so:

Code: Select all

 [img]*urlgoeshere*[/img] 

How I've always done it and I've been a forum goer for like...8 years or something.

[S-chassis life]

i had this problem happen to my S13 Sr20.
inside or under the intake theres a little rubber hose thats clamped with 2 size 10 or 8mm clamps, but mine had a huge rip at the bottom and it happen all of a sudden, it was an easy fix. You have to remove just the upper intake manifold to get to it, its easy just unplug the injectors wires and the 2 fuel lines, just to be safe and feel more confident, take pictures of the stuff your going to remove like the fuel lines and injector plugs but after pretty much all that unbolt the upper intake, it will leak a little bit of gas but no biggie. and after you take it off your going to see the little rubber tube thats clamped hard to miss its pretty big.
Go somewhere like a hose shop or auto store and see if you can get a more thinker one. also just a heads up if its that, when its time to put it back on you might have to unbolt the little 90 degree piece thats bolted on to the block so that you can slip it back in, so you might need to get the blue gasket seal you can buy at any auto store, and careful not to strip the bolts going into the block sense the Sr20's are aluminum and they can strip easy, the seal will take care not to leak just make sure you spread it out good. hope this helps

EDIT: Forgot to mention, you might need to buy intake manifold gaskets, not to sure but i think the 91 Sentra Se-r will work and there not too expensive.