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View Full Version : SR20DET Leaking Coolant From Slave? Need Help!

lthomson96
05-03-2016, 10:30 PM
Hi! First post of many most likely. This forum has been super helpful but now I seem to have a problem pretty unique so here goes:

TL;DR: Coolant leaking from slave cylinder rubber boot (from inside bellhousing).. crack/hole in block or I missed a hose thats leaking INTO the trans??

I picked up an SR20DET swapped 240 a couple weeks ago. It needed a headgasket so I changed it, super smooth, runs great. Problem is, it leaks coolant/water from the slave cylinder rubber "seal" on the transmission!!

We've looked all over and can't find a hose that's leaking above (though we could have been more thorough) but there's ZERO fluid coming down the sides, its only leaking from the rubber seal around the slave cylinder.

I'm wondering if there's a hole in the block allowing coolant to get into the bellhousing??? Seems super unlikely but this is a weird problem.

It has a built block, approx 500miles on it. CP Pistons, Manley rods.. wasn't built by me but seems solid. And the car hauls ass...

Going to do a compression test soon but I'm 99% sure its all good.

Please help!!
brndck
05-04-2016, 12:07 AM
there are freeze plugs on the back of the engine. one of them could possibly be leaking.
lthomson96
05-04-2016, 12:26 AM
there are freeze plugs on the back of the engine. one of them could possibly be leaking.

Didn't even think of that. What is the point of freeze plugs anyways?

Thanks man.
economix
05-04-2016, 05:58 AM
Freeze plugs were originally designed to prevent the cracking of the engine block due to users running too high of water concentrations in their coolant which would then freeze, expand, and potentially crack the block. They're 'blow outs' per se.
brndck
05-04-2016, 06:44 AM
Freeze plugs were originally designed to prevent the cracking of the engine block due to users running too high of water concentrations in their coolant which would then freeze, expand, and potentially crack the block. They're 'blow outs' per se.

Hence the name, "freeze" plugs.
economix
05-04-2016, 06:49 AM
Hence the name, "freeze" plugs.

Exactly! (east coast west coast air-five)
boosted23
05-04-2016, 06:54 AM
Actually a "freeze" plug hole is actually a hole that was made to hold the sand mold. Coolant passages are intirquet and they left a hole so they can get all the sand out of the passages after making the mold. The hole is reminents of that process.

People call them freeze plugs for the very same reason economic described. People running too much water in colder climates and it was the weakest link. It happened by chance. A casting hole that serves another purpose.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
economix
05-04-2016, 07:02 AM
Yes, it's both! I was starting to write that part in myself then realized it may be a bit confusing since most people don't know the sand casting process.
e1_griego
05-04-2016, 09:41 AM
If it's an s13 sr20det it could very well be leaking from the coolant feed line that runs to the turbo, or the heater core lines.
pacotaco345
05-04-2016, 10:05 AM
If it's an s13 sr20det it could very well be leaking from the coolant feed line that runs to the turbo, or the heater core lines.

These lines are a bitch. Do yourself a favor and get an s14 waterneck then cut the hardline that goes behind the head and run it straight to the firewall... So much more room behind the head now that I did that.
lthomson96
05-04-2016, 11:10 PM
Aftermarket turbo doesn't have a coolant line and the heater hoses aren't leaking.

Fairly certain it's the freeze plug after everybody's replies.

Thanks heaps, hopefully it's sorted this weekend