Water Leak at front of engine

[Jon m f]

My car is currently in storage and the guy there has reported that it has sprung a leak at the front of the engine.

The water spurts out of a hole that "appears to be behind the timing chain cover and underneath the water pump and hits the back of the radiator".

Please see picture of hole just NW of centre of the green circle.

Could this be a leaking core plug?

If so, is this a straightforward job or one for the professionals!?

And is this an engine out job?

Also where would that grey gunge have come from?

Thanks in anticipation of your assistance and comments.

[trchris]

Hi Jon that looks like the front core plug is leaking you might want to give the front a good clean and check to confirm. If it is it’ll mean removing engine front plate ,that will evolve removing radiator, timing chain cover ,chain ,gears etc 

Chris

[Jon m f]

Hi Chris, many thanks for your quick reply (unfortunately confirming my fears😀). Sounds like a fairly serious job for an amateur like me!

Thanks once again, Jon

[roy53]

+1

[Dave McDonald]

5 hours ago, Jon m f said:

Hi Chris, many thanks for your quick reply (unfortunately confirming my fears😀). Sounds like a fairly serious job for an amateur like me!

Thanks once again, Jon

I’m not so sure. I’ll have a look at a spare engine tomorrow then comment. 
Dave McD 

[Jon m f]

1 hour ago, roy53 said:

+1

 

[Jon m f]

Thanks Dave, look forward to hearing from you.

[Dave McDonald]

I wasn’t sure, but the fastener in the green ring on your photo is one of two on that side which are studs in the block with a nut on, rather than hex head set screws. It was difficult to see clearly on your photo with all that crud on it. 

Those 2 studs go right through the face of the block into the water jacket. It is therefore just feasible that water could leak past the stud thread. In the short term it would be worth removing that stud and replacing it with some loctite to try to seal it. You would need to drain the block to do that. The drain plug is on right side of block above starter motor.

If that doesn’t work then I’m afraid Chris and Roy are right, it’s the core plug. You can see it better on attached photo, the crescent showing just outside the timing cover. There are actually 2 core plugs behind the engine front plate. Replace both while you’re at it. Use the stainless steel core plugs for better durability. 
Good luck. 
Dave McD

[Kenrow]

make sure you have copper washers installed:

 

Timing Cover Bolts-Screws.pdf

Edited May 5 by Kenrow
updated info

[Tom Fremont]

I think SOP over here is silicone gasket sealant rather than Loctite for that stud. I've not heard of using Loctite for that purpose but suppose it would do if applied like the silicone.

 

[Jon m f]

Hi Dave, Many thanks for this very helpful information. Seems like I have a bit if work to do!

[Jon m f]

Thanks also Tom F and Kenrow.

roy53 - I can't see your messager, it just says +1

[had17462]

Hi Jon here’s a pic of an engine I stripped down u can see the rusted out plug, the pic is upside down to be fair it’s not difficult to take the bits off but u will need rad out etc and set the timing before removing chain

Nick

[Jon m f]

Hi Nick, many thanks for the picture and tips.