66 230 sl coolant leak

[merrill]

I recently re torqued  the hear on my 66 230 sl motor that was rebuilt by metric motors about 2,000 miles ago.
 I followed the procedure outlined in the "head bolt torque" thread in this forum and have made several updates in that thread.

Anyway, the last time I re torqued the head i used a new torque wrench that I had verified it was accurate.  Torqued to spec and all was well.

After a few drives I noticed a very small faint coolant leak.  I wasn't too worried, i figured I would re torque the head again.

Drove the car yesterday, the motor started to occasionally stumble and actually died at a stop light.
got home, opened the hood, checked dwell and timing - both were dead on.

looked over to the block and noticed coolant trails running down the side of the block.
I should note that I did not see the water temp ever get into the red zone.  
Typically the water temp is at 80 or just above

so, should I go ahead and just re torque the head as before and see what happens?

I am beginning to wonder why the coolant trails are returning.  
Are the head bolts loosening that much or is there a chance the head gasket is damaged and needs to be replaced?

Thoughts?
thanks in advance

[merrill]

so, called metric motors, asked Mike the owner if he had any ideas.

He did comment that sometimes there is a coolant leak on the 230 sl motor? 
Anyway, he recommended I re torque the head following Joe's procedure. 
He did ask that before I loosen the bolts to first make sure they are all tight. - which they were

so I re torqued the head, waited until the next day then did the valves.
While I was working on the car I started to look at where else coolant could come from.

I noticed coolant stains on the end of the heater hose that is coming out of the drivers side.
I figured it is possible the heater hose was leaking and possibly spraying onto the block.
I ordered and installed new heater hoses.

Drove the car today, all looks ok so far.

I will keep an eye on the block for leaks...

[merrill]

well, still getting small streams of coolant on the side of the block.

I need to check all the coolant line fittings and warm water thermostat on the ip to make sure
none of them are spraying on the block.

I sent Gernold at SL Tech a note.  He suggested I try a  5.5 oz can of Bars Leak in the coolant.

Has anyone tried bars leak products before?

[awolff280sl]

Hi Matt, I developed evidence of a leaky head gasket after retorquing my head a few months ago. This is evidenced by 3 or 4 small, dry coolant stain trails down the driver's side of the block between the 2nd and 4th cylinders. I have never seen any wetness. The car has been running well, no overheating, and my coolant reservoir has not been decreasing. I also called Gernold who suggested the Barr's. At first I was against putting anything in the system, but eventually I figured that I could always flush it out. Anyway, I put it in and I think my dry coolant trails are lessening. But it took a few weeks until I noticed any change, and I have to clean off the side of the block routinely to keep track of the results. So far I haven't seen any detrimental effects of the Barr's.

[graphic66]

The best radiator sealer is Prestone Super Sealer. It is way better than Bars leak.

[ja17]

Hello,

I never have tried the Prestone, but have had success with Bar's also.

[jacovdw]

...Has anyone tried bars leak products before?

Hello Matt,

I have a similar problem than yours with regards to the coolant stain trails on the driver's side of the block. Nothing major, but very irritating.

I have heard good things about Barr's as well and a couple of guys here in South Africa are using it with success.

[merrill]

Talked to Mike at Metric motors again today.

He did not recommend using any additive in the cooling system.

His recommendation is

1. drive the car and keep an eye on it
2. he is going to send me a can of a spray that goes on the outside of the block. something the Porsche uses.   I will share the info on the spray when it arrives.

3. he did not recommend pulling the head to replace the gasket.

[rogerh113]

OK, I'll ask the $1000 (or much more) question.... 

What are the short and long-term implications of these coolant tracks??  Will an engine run 100,00 miles with coolant tracks - just a visual annoyance??  I've seen them mentioned in a number of threads lately, and I've had some on my '66.  I assume Metric is a competent organization (seen them mentioned on the board a number of times), and they seem to think that tracks on a newly rebuilt engine are not so big a deal.  Are these tracks 'self healing', maybe with the retorque / spray??  Does Metric figure that the tracks will either go away (no rebuild), or fail (would have had to rebuild anyways)?

Some clarification from the experts would be most welcome!!

Regards -- Roger

[merrill]

I received the spray sealer form Mike at Metric.

It is actually a permatex product. (see link below)
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?action=post;topic=11298.0;num_replies=8

After reading the instructions on the container I found that permatex DOES NOT recommend this product for high pressure areas, and specifically said it is not meant for head or exhaust gaskets.

I send Mike an e mail to verify that this is a product he has used and recommends.
He does not recommend putting any products into the coolant.

So, here is my question,  any thoughts on me just pulling the head and replacing the head gasket?

Mikes concern is that the surface on the head and block left Metric perfectly flat. 
He is concerned that I could mess up the mating surfaces.

Thoughts?

[merrill]

applied the sealer today, what a mess

the tube that comes with the spray does not allow too much control & focus of the spray.

If I were to do this again I would have preferred to spend more time taping off the side of the block.

anyway, lets see what happens.

I was about 10 oz low on coolant

[tel76]

Do we assume that Mike does not re comend any additives to the water to stop corrosion and as ante freeze is also added for the purpose of stopping the coolant freezing in low temperatures and as an ante corrosion agent does he include that.
I do not think that Mike should give this advice as someone out there will take his advice and end up with a cracked block.
More business.
PS In responce to reply #9

[merrill]

Tel76,

on topic,  Metric did not recommend putting any sealing products into the coolant

coolant = 50 /50 mix MB antifreeze and water