Water Leak After Replacing Heads

[jmgtp]

Need some help here. At first it didnt leak, but then I drove a bit, WOT a bit and now it leaks terribly.

I can't see where exactly it is coming from but I can see a STREAM of water pouring onto the ac compressor. Could it be the head gasket? I torqued the head according to the manual in the correct order. I believe the spec was 37 ft lbs + 90*

anything else this could be?

feeling very disappointed and dismayed right now!

[jmgtp]

Well I found it - and I am really unhappy right now.

The steel plug that presses into the side of the head somehow popped out. I drove it in with a hammer and socket when I installed it. How could there be enough water pressure to force it out. This is on the front head timing cover side. There is about 1" to work with so I don't see a solution other than pulling the head again. Can I resuse the headgasket?

[55trucker]

Generally, once a head gasket is used it's been *crushed* and is not reusable if the head comes off again where composite gaskets are concerned. I personally wouldn't try to, the headache of what one has to go thru with this engine in particular is enough to not go down that route.

[MidnightriderZ24]

well remember aluminum expands faster than steel, its going to leak if its not put in straight.. i would take the plug out, put either rtv or an anerobic sealant around the plug and drive it in as straight as possible

[jmgtp]

I have the head off and a new freeze plug to put in. THey only had the rubber kind with the bolt to tighten it down. Ok to use? I think it will seal but will it last?

I'm still baffled at how the steel one came out. I drove it in as straight as possible using a large socket/hammer. It was flush with the head.

Also bought new head bolts but I'm still debating reusing the head gasket. It is brand new but like 55trucker said it has been installed and 'crushed' so it should be replaced - but at $100 it is a tough decision.

[55trucker]

Where frost plugs are concerned usual practice is to *stake* them after putting them into place. This will prevent them from moving. As Midnight said alloy heats up at a different rate than iron so you would be well off to *stake* the frost plug as well as using a sealant around it.... $100 is the going price now for just a single head gasket?..Yikes!....

[jmgtp]

Well $100 is the price for the top end set. I don't know if I can buy just one headgasket but I'll look into it.

edit: got 1 headgasket for $17

By 'stake' do you mean after it is driven in punching it in the center with a punch? Can you give a little more detail on what you mean?

[55trucker]

Sorry....staking refers to punching the plug usually with a centre punch in 2 or 3 locations around the outer edge of the plug slightly deforming it causing a high spot to bite into the head casting.

[jmgtp]

Gotcha... I did just that. Thanks for the tip! I was even able to access and do this on the rear head. The one on the trans side is easy to get at and the other is accessible once you remove the tensioner bracket from the timing cover. I should have it all back together tomorrow pending autozone getting my headbolts delivered.

[MidnightriderZ24]

thats not too bad.. the gm dealer i work at charges 100 an hour!