96 Chevy 4.3L water leaking from timing chain cover

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LibbyChantel - 24 Dec 2007 00:12 GMT

96 Chevy 4.3L V6 water leaking from timing chain cover at front of
engine. 180,000 miles on engine.

It is trickling from the sides of the cover. There is no water in the
oil, and the water pump leak hole is dry. Would this be an intake
manifold gasket leaking? I don't see how water would get into the
timing chain cover otherwise. Maybe someone that knows this engine
could advise me on the probable cause and solution.

Thanks for your help!
Libby

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blazerman - 24 Dec 2007 00:28 GMT

> 96 Chevy 4.3L V6 water leaking from timing chain cover at front of
> engine. 180,000 miles on engine.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thanks for your help!
> Libby

Libby-you'll have to put pressure on the system(with proper tester
that can be purchased or possibly loaned to you by an Auto Zone or the
like-7-10 lbs pressure) then look very closely for the leak. You
didn't mention how much is leaking but it should show and when found
report back what you find and you get a course of action. Merry
Christmas! JP

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sdlomi2 - 24 Dec 2007 05:45 GMT

>> 96 Chevy 4.3L V6 water leaking from timing chain cover at front of
>> engine. 180,000 miles on engine.
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> report back what you find and you get a course of action. Merry
> Christmas! JP

Good idea, borrowing from AZ. I'd think however, that you may have to
apply a little more pressure, tho', kinda in the range of 16 lbs plus a tad
more should it not immediately show up. sdlomi2

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blazerman - 24 Dec 2007 12:34 GMT

> >> 96 Chevy 4.3L V6 water leaking from timing chain cover at front of
> >> engine. 180,000 miles on engine.
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> apply a little more pressure, tho', kinda in the range of 16 lbs plus a tad
> more should it not immediately show up. sdlomi2

sdlomi2-I usually hate atleast, initially, to apply more pressure
just in case at 180k, you have a margional heater core or the like.
If the leak could be found with 7-10 lbs pressure(a big if) then it
may spare the op some grief. I realize the argument could be made
that if the heater core is on it's way out then do it also but most of
my customers would rather do it later than now(if at all!)-if they
can! Merry Christmas ps that's just my 2 cents worth and for
Christmas it's FREE!

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sdlomi2 - 24 Dec 2007 17:00 GMT

>> >> 96 Chevy 4.3L V6 water leaking from timing chain cover at front of
>> >> engine. 180,000 miles on engine.
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> can! Merry Christmas ps that's just my 2 cents worth and for
> Christmas it's FREE!

Hey, thanks. I'm never too proud to accept advice--esp. when it's free.
And, now I know your reasoning, which was with good background.
My original thinking was to approximate its pressure while operating,
and my memory came up with(another big IF) that being around 16. That "tad"
over 16 may well have been ill-advice on my part. Hope OP did not jump out
and apply 20, thinking 4 was a "tad"! Thanks for the heads up! And, Merry
Christmas to you, and yours, too!;) s

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Dave Allured - 31 Dec 2007 18:52 GMT

> 96 Chevy 4.3L V6 water leaking from timing chain cover at front of
> engine. 180,000 miles on engine.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thanks for your help!
> Libby

Hmmm. "The water pump leak hole is dry" -- just like on my Geo Metro.
Surprise, there was a *second* leak hole on the bottom of the water pump
where I could not see it, dripping away. I had spent a few weeks
wondering what the hell engine gasket or freeze plug might have
cracked. Nope -- it was just the water pump. It may be the same in
your Chevy.

There was one more thing I did not see at first. My pump has a flange
that extends a ways underneath the timing belt cover. It's less likely
than the shaft seal on the pump, but there is some room here for a
leaking gasket or bolt hole that could result in your leak location.
Caution, I do not know your engine and it could be completely
different. HTH.

--Dave

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