EJ20 Leaking Coolant at a possible bolt not sure. New Engine

[xclemjustinx]

I just had a ej20 Engine installed and runs great except this morning I smelled my coolant hitting the exhaust. I went and looked at the Engine and noticed their was a leak. It look looked like it was coming from one of the bolts near the “16 valve “ side. I took some pics for reference. I know it could be a number of things but maybe you guys have some tips you can tell me. I appreciate your help. Thanks.

[xclemjustinx]

[wesitarz]

Are you sure it's not leaking above that bolt at the coolant hose connections?

[[email protected]]

^^
Agree

[wesitarz]

If not leaking from the coolant hose connections,those bolts sure look like headbolts. Is the valve cover design different from the 2.5L SOHC and the headbolts are exterior to the valve cover? I can't find a pic. If it is leaking at a headbolt,then maybe it can be re-torqued,otherwise your headgasket may be shot. Take it back to the installer if that's the case.

[[email protected]]

If head bolts would he be overheating? Coolant in the oil? Seems strange on new engine. Could be head gasket

[11BC2]

That's a phase one engine, one of the best engine Subaru ever made.
I'd look at either the heater hoses, which are located just above that area, the throttle coolant hoses, or the water cross over pipe o rings.

[chompy]

Its odd for coolant to be there and it shouldnt be coming from the head bolt... like everyone else says it should be coming from above. Most likely a clamp is a bit loose.
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'81 Westfalia Subaru EJ22
Manual Transmission

[AZ Landshaper]

From the valve cover? Lets see some pics from above so we can view the suspected plumbing parts. Im a sucker for pics of the subaru in a vw van of any type. plus I think the wizards here will have a little more for u to contemplate in terms of the source of your frustrations. Is that a JDM? I See they sell a lot of ej20 on line.
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85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug.

[ftp2leta]

This look like a EJ 2.2L?

As opposed to the stock engine where the head stud need to be sealed it's not the case with a Subaru.

Leak is not coming from that stud.

Ben
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Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
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[[email protected]]

^^^agree looks like valve cover of ej 22^^^ would ej 2 have smooth covers?

[AZ Landshaper]

Hey glad to see Bens commenting again. I've been watching your YouTube videos. Good stuff u have there.
_________________
Support Small Business.

-------------------------------------------------------
85 Weekender w/ EJ22
Previously
64, 71, 72, 73, 76, 81, 84, 85 & 87 Campmobiles and Westfalias
and a 67 bug.

[xclemjustinx]

I attached 3 pictures. You can see from the picture with the 2 blue arrows, that is where the leak is coming from.

[chompy]

Yes its an ej22 and i don't think you can put ej22 heads on an ej20 block so its not a frankenmotor.

Coolant doesn't flow through or near the valve covers so it seems impossible for it to be coming from there. Your heads could be leaking at the block side if they werent torqued down correctly or were warped. Theres the slight chance its leaking through the head gasket into the head bolts and is dripping out from both sides. Did someone do the head gaskets before you got this engine?
_________________
'81 Westfalia Subaru EJ22
Manual Transmission

[xclemjustinx]

Yes. It’s a brand new engine. Sorry. Ej22. Still learning about the Engine.

[[email protected]]

So rebuilt. If you can't find source of leak from above, I would think that you have headgasket issues. If you had someone build it for you then you should contact them. If you did the rebuild then you could start by re-torqueing. If leak contines you need to take out the heads. I think you could do it with engine in car. There are manuals you can find online. I think the gasket goes on dry.

[ftp2leta]

Mmmmm..... I have seen all stuff over the years with Subaru head gasket but never an external coolant leak. Oil leak yes and plenty by the return oil passage. I even saw warped head due to overheating and they leak internally flooding the engine in some case.

So now it's easy to find that leak, buy some break cleaner and shoot the heck out of this area. Start engine look and wait.

The 2.2L and the 2,5L have about the same short block design:

If you look at that corner, the one your showing there is no real coolant passage but an oil return one.

So if it's really coming close to that bolt... you may have a small crack

Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

[wesitarz]

Hard to tell from the pic, but the headgasket on this 'new' engine does not look new along the edge.

[11BC2]

[11BC2]