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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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3/15/2004
01:33:49
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 Subject: Need help with coolant leak!!
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Message:
My '01 v6 Qc has developed a coolant leak coming from the intake manifold. Specifically out of what appears to be an unused bolt tapping (right, rear part of manifold)
I took to dealership and they said it looked like a bolt had sheared off and we would be happy to fix for $600 canadian.
I dont believe there was ever a bolt there in the first place (and how could a bolt just break off inside the manifold?)
I am going to inspect further tomorow as it is a small leak that could get bigger.
Would sealing the hole with a "cold weld" type compound do the trick?
Has anyone ever heard of this happening? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Chris
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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3/15/2004
22:55:15
|  RE: Need help with coolant leak!!
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Message:
Take a close look at the area around the hole. If it looks marred by bolt head or washer, they are probably right. If the bolt was over-torqued or flawed manufactur, it could break off during use.
You could ask them to show you that area on another truck. Or you could check the FSM; I'm sure the dealer has one. If you can send me a picture I can look it up for you.
If there was no bolt there, then it could be an accessory or sensor mounting point that didn't get used. This is not an uncommon problem with after market alum manifolds. The casting is a little thin at the bottom of the hole, and may get leakage from the water jacket. If the hole is threaded, you can put a pipe plug in there. If it's not threaded, you could try doing that. Or you might find a galley plug of the right size that you could press in there with a little silicone.
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Dr.D
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2004
08:41:29
| RE: Need help with coolant leak!!
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Message:
Make sure that you get an estimate (and opinion) from at least
three dealerships.
Dr. D
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jaggy
GenIII
3/16/2004
12:55:14
| RE: Need help with coolant leak!!
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Message:
I have had a bolt break on me before.
my 89 chevy 350 broke 2 bolts that held the accessory bracket. I started throwing belts because nothing was lined up correctly.
I have broken 4 shock mount bolts on my 02 dakota.
The OEM bolts are a total joke. They are potmetal with a threaded ring. It would not suprise me to hear of others breaking bolts.
I think .boB has some great input, I just wanted to add that a broken bolt would not supprize me at all.
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uh jaggy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/16/2004
16:47:18
| RE: Need help with coolant leak!!
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FYI potmetal is a cheap zinc alloy that on the very first bump would break the bolt, in other words, as it came off the assembly line. since you have broken 4 it sounds as if you don't slow at all for speed bumps and drive the heck out of it off road. I've been driving for more years then you are old and have never broken one.
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jaggy
GenIII
3/16/2004
18:20:00
| RE: Need help with coolant leak!!
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Message:
Sorry for the tangent fellas,
UH JAGGY,
As a matter of fact I do "drive the heck out of it off road" and on road as you said. I demand a lot from my suspension and try to treat well in return. I am running hotchkis sway bars front and back and Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks all around.
When I installed the shocks I used the stock bolts until they started snapping like twigs. I have upgraded them all to a solid grade 5 bolt (real bolt) and have no problems for over a year. Pot metal is the term my mechanic used when I showed them to him. If that is not the correct term then my apologies. They are total crap though. Back one out from your shock and take a look. Let’s just say that I was amazed that DC would use these for a suspension part. I am also amazed that I am the only one that seems to have had any problems with them.
FYI (the first bolt broke going over a 3 foot deep rut that was about 6 feet long. I was going less than 5 mph and the new shocks were set on the stiff setting. The tire only had to follow the contour of ground and the bolt couldn’t hold it.
On you OEM gas charged shocks it would not have been an issue because the shock would give virtually no resistance.
But you already know all of this…you have all the answers.
No comment on my bolt breaking on my Chevy? Was that negligence on my part as well? Did I use Halogen head light fluid when I should have used regular?
If you truck is a commuter that’s cool, mine is not. My truck is a daily driver that I get a lot of enjoyment out of driving.
I don't get flamed here very often so bring it on since you seem to know all about me. Do me the courtesy of using your own name and not a spin off of mine.
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