10 replies to this topic

[timothymckay]

Well, two days ago we managed to put the rebuilt teg engine back in the civic bay, we hooked up all the wiring etc...........then, as we put the radiator in place and added coolant disaster struck!!!! We noticed coolant seeping out of the front of the BLOCK!!!!! Under the exhaust manifold (like 3 inches under, not near any plugs or anything). We couldn't believe it. This engine had been rebuilt by a very reputable builder and it defeniatly wasn't leaking when we gave it to him!!!


What i need from you guys is some tips, i've heard of a product called devcon which is like a putty for metal, also there something you can add to your coolant that seals it from the inside, they all sound like patch up products, but there is much else i can think of. We are going to ring the builder today and basically tell the situation and that were not too impressed!!! (in other words VERY PISSED OFF!!!)

Anyone else experienced this???

[C8V6C]

I dont think u should trust the quick fixers for that kinda job

It'd probably just keep happening and happening



U sure it isnt the headgasket?

Maybe the head and block werent shaved evenly

[sspcivic31]

are you sure the drain bolt for the block is not leaking? its on the upper part of the block near the tranny.

[timothymckay]

it's not near any bolts or near the headgasket....thats why i'm stumped. I spoke to the builder and he was equally as shocked. Anyway, tonight i'll do a pressure test on the leak and see how much it's leaking under pessure.

I also spoke to my friend about it and he swears by devcon. http://www.bsc.com.a...vcon/devcon.pdf

Hes a mechanic and uses it for things like this. For engine blocks you can use a aluminuim expoxy. It's either that or a get this builder have a look at it and mig weld it (if the leak is not that bad) Hopefully he will do it for nothing.....if he charges me i'll tell him where to shove it!



P.S. Are Civic and Teg blocks interchangeable?? This would be a last resort i would have to get it rebored etc (MORE MONEY!! ) I still have the old civic EW engine

[I are Corey]

ya see the only thing i can think of without taking it out the bay again is to remove the exhaust manifold and weld a patch. might be a little work but it beats taking it out again...and might be hard to find a welder if you dont know how to do it.

just an idea

[IamNOTaRicer]

Devcon would most likely work for you. In the rotary engine world, I'ev seen folks use this stuff to reshape the intake ports on the housings. I'd be willing to bet that if it can hold up to that, it'll stand filling a crack in the block. Having it welded would be the best bet, but that means more time out of the car, more money and the outside chance it could crack again nearby. In short, I vote for the Devcon.

--Danny

[UltimX]

I vote devcon. Never used the product but seen it in action. Home made gas tank that wasn't presure tested. Devcon, worked. If that doesn't work weld it.

[balladeSports]

Sounds like a bad rebult
send the block back. Don't waste your time fixing it.

[shadowboy]

sounds to me like a problem with the coolant drain bolt on the front of the block.



the bolt just below and to the right of the engine code stamp in this picture (in the dark spot to the left of the exhaust manifold heat shield bolt location) is the coolant drain bolt. replace that bolt/gasket with a part from the dealer and see if that fixes your leak before you do anything.

Edited by shadowboy, 15 March 2004 - 10:33 AM.

[timothymckay]

Well, last night i did the pressure test and it's not near any bolts. It's coming out from an area about the size of your thumbnail. About an inch to the right of the dipstick and halfway up under the ridge. This would be the bottom of the waterjacket. The area is sought of rough which leads me to believe that it's corrosion.

The builder said that it could have had chemi-weld in it before i got it and he cleaned it out, not knowing it was there. I know what he means becuase he didn't rebuild the block, he rebuilt the components (pistons, rods, bearings, rings, head etc) and bored it.

Anyways, I'm going get my hands on some devcon (it's fairly rare down here).
I spoke to a guy yesterday who is in the Air Force and they use it to repair engine componets on all their machinery!

If that doesn't work i'll get it mig welded. I don't like the idea of welding because you change the properties of the metal etc etc.

Thanks for your thoughts/opinions. Hopefully in the not too distant future it'll be running and i can show it off to you guys.

[timothymckay]

After a closer inspection with the manifold off we saw that it was indeed a crack about 2 inchs long in a horizontal direction. However, i think i would prefer a crack than corrosion as it shouldn't occur anywhere else.

Aquired some Devcon (aluminium putty) and going to fix it tonight. This stuff takes 15 hours to set and 7 days to get really hard!! More waiting.......