So pumped the pumper up to 15psi, and I have coolant coming out the back left side of the head, right above the freeze plug in the block. When I installed my ARP studs and cometic head gasket, I did so with an entirely clean surface (both surfaces were cleaned at the machine shop). I torqued each bolt down in the correct pattern, in 3 steps, to 60ft lbs, with a final pull of about 1/4 turn. To my knowledge, the car just started this recently, as I've had to put coolant in it over the last 200 miles or so. Rebuilt motor has about 1500 on it. The coolant temp went to 245 for a second, but once I got moving in a matter of seconds it dropped down to 200.

What would you do? Take off the valve cover and re torque them? Pull the head, re clean all the surfaces, check wear, and install again?

 

I'd retorque, then pull head if necessary. Maybe they weren't evenly spec'd. Check torque wrench before anything??

 

first things first id learn how to properly torque a head. Miata head bolts or studs are not torque to yield. You might have cracked the head bolt seat area.

pull the VC and inspect the area around the bolt/nut head

The other thing i would do is pressure it up more go to 20psi and make 100% sure its coming from between the head and block.

 

every single bolt clicked at 60 ft lbs. None were loose. The leak is coming from between the head and block right under the #3 runner. Looks like I have to pull the head off.

 

I just heard of a '99 head with a casting flaw that caused a pinhole into the combustion chamber.

 

https://www.miataturbo.net/engine-pe...e-miata-54746/

 

Yup, I read through that before I put my engine together. Also read Rev's blog about em too. I'm just hoping its nothing serious. I will find out tomorrow.

 

What engine is this?

1.6s have a water passage to the intake manifold. More than one person has installed their intake manifold gasket inside-out and ended up with a water leak exactly where you describe. Could well be there is no issue with the HG.

 

Yeah, it's a 1.6l. Wonder if I did that on accident? Damn, guess I will have to contortionist my way in there and check. That's exactly where the leak 'feels' like its coming from. Easiest way to remove the manifold on the car? I remember trying and I gave up because I couldn't get to the lower bolts.

 

It is possible to remove the manifold while it is on the car. Just need some swivel joints and extensions. Getting all the lower bolts is a PITA, but it is doable.

 

1.6 manifolds are stupid easy to remove on the car.

I have done the exact same thing. Intake gasket on backwards, coolant **** everywhere. Pulled and flipped it in like 10 minutes.

 

Yeah, it took me about 20 minutes to pop it off. It was on correctly. But I was missing the two bottom stud nuts, and the middle left bolt wasn't tight, as well as all the top bolts took about a 1/2 turn to tighten.

So, either I didn't torque them properly while the engine was on the stand, or they backed out somehow. Do I need to put some loctite on these suckers?

 

I've never used lock tight. Should just torque them down.

 

It looks like the other water passage (between 1 and 2) was weeping too.

Easy fix!

 

Yes sir, so happy. Buttoned everything back up and pressure tested again, no leaks! Also installed my catch can, and tried to install my cops, but they will not snap down on the spark plugs, have to figure that one out.