I smelled the dreaded smell of antifreeze when I pulled in today and later a small stream out the back of the car. First inspection yielded no hose or pump leak. Started the car and saw a steady drip down the cats. Leak appears to be in the Vee area and running back, it is from front to back on both sides on the center plate in the Vee. Any ideas? I see what appears to be some small freeze plugs up there. Even with the car up on jacks in the front, the leak appears to be from front to back. both sides. I figured by lifting the front I could isolate it to one side and about where it is but no luck. Car is garaged in mild North Florida climate, newer stats, fresh anti freeze mix, never overheated.

 

Well I cleaned the vee out where it hits the head on both sides with some brake parts cleaner, flushed it with the Mrs's flower can and restarted it. The area dried out then I saw the steady drip, drip from the cheap, plastic heater valve I put on some 6 years ago. Some how it must have sprayed out and unto the vee when the car was level and I was driving it. Whew, sometimes it's better to be lucky then good.

 

good job cleaning it all up. With the car moving, wind blowing, fans blowing, and belts spinning, it is easy for a leak to take all sorts of confusing paths. 6 years isn't bad out of a cheap heater valve!