[mike51705]

Good evening all, so I recently replaced my radiator and valve cover gaskets on my 02 SC. After I filled the radiator with coolant and let the engine run for a few minutes I noticed a coolant leak coming from the backside of the engine by the transmission. The other thing I noticed was what sounded like an exhaust leak when I would give it gas. I triple checked all my vacuum lines and anything else I unplugged or disconnected. Anything in particular I need to be looking at or looking for?

 

[RacerXXL]

Look for a cracked exhaust manifold the Gen 1 trucks are notorious for cracking exhaust manifolds.

For the coolant leak it has to be one of the small intake coolant lines on the back and they are hard to get to, just start trying to trace the leak.

 

[bryanmc57]

I had a coolant leak back of the engine, right side. Ended up being an intake manifold gasket. Not that hard a job (except for removing the two lines Racer mentioned to get the plenum off LOL).

 

[Undrstm8ed]

For the coolant leak it has to be one of the small intake coolant lines on the back and they are hard to get to, just start trying to trace the leak.

Agreed...

http://www.nicoclub.com/service-manual?fsm=Xterra/2002_Xterra/lc

 

[mike51705]

Thanks for the help guys. I spent about 3 hours trying to trace the leak with no luck. I even got under it to see if I could track the leak. At first I thought the noise had something to do with it like maybe a freeze plug or something but it's def the exhaust manifold for that. The coolant is still leaking and smoking or hitting something hot and evaporating on the rear side of the engine and supercharger area. On a good note my leaking valve cover gaskets are dry as a bone now lol.

 

[Undrstm8ed]

IF you had a freeze plug out you'd know it..

If you can hear or see a spot where its hitting a manifold.. you should be able to see a coolant leak