Manifold gasket?

[Golfdad75]

I have white steam rising between my manifold and head ? Bad news ? If someone can tell me how I will upload a video.

[Dave Neptune]

The water comes from somewhere. The manifold and gasket do not seal a water passage. If the manifold is breached it could leak water which is a bit doubtful, however the head gasket leaking is far more likely.

Either way the manifold needs to come off and then a better inspection of the head gasket will be possible.

Do look for water leaking around the head to see if there is any running down into the manifold to block area.

Dave Neptune

[Golfdad75]

You’re right so the water must be coming from somewhere. I just replaced the heat exchanger and it is leaking right near the coolant exit.

[Dave Neptune]

Fix that leak first as it just may be your issue.

Dave Neptune

[joe_db]

The water comes from somewhere. The manifold and gasket do not seal a water passage. If the manifold is breached it could leak water which is a bit doubtful, however the head gasket leaking is far more likely.

Either way the manifold needs to come off and then a better inspection of the head gasket will be possible.

Do look for water leaking around the head to see if there is any running down into the manifold to block area.

Dave Neptune

They sort of do, the bolts/studs that go into the block go into the cooling passages.

[hanleyclifford]

They sort of do, the bolts/studs that go into the block go into the cooling passages.

Yes, and those studs should be checked for loss of material / thread. 4 threads minimum should remain, and I always set the stud with thick Permatex.

[Golfdad75]

Any advice on removing the manifold

[joe_db]

After you remove the exhaust and carb then 3 nuts and it comes off.

[W2ET]

See this post.

Bill

[Golfdad75]

I am taking off the manifold tomorrow but I don’t think the coolant system is compromised. The smoke doesn’t seem to have an oily feel to it when it condenses on my hand. I think it is just exhaust.

[hanleyclifford]

Odds are good that one or more of those studs will come out of the block. If that happens check the threads and if there is any question replace the studs and set the new ones with thick Permatex. Good problem prevention.

[Golfdad75]

Today I pressurized the coolant line. ( blew in on end put my finger on the other) it seemed there is no coolant leak. So am I probably looking at a manifold gasket leak?

[hanleyclifford]

Did any of the studs come out?

[Dave Neptune]

Did you fix the mentioned leak and start the engine to see if the problem went away?

If it is still steaming then you will need to remove the manifold to see if a stud is leaking and inspect the head to block area to see if the head gasket may be leaking. If a stud is leaking usually you would see the offending stud nut holding the manifold rusting a common indicator as it would be more likely to show there than also leaking past the manifold gasket which seals both the block and manifold at the studs.

Dave Neptune

[Golfdad75]

Gasket sealer

Do I need to use gasket sealer on the manifold gasket and manifold flange gasket?