Cylinder head coolant leak

mikesierra46 · 10-05-2008, 11:24 PM

I have a '99 Esteem Wagon 1.8L, and there has been a small amount of coolant accumulating in the hole for the #1 spark plug (externally under the ignition coil for that cylinder, not in the cylinder itself), causing a misfire. Anyone have any experience with this? I figure it's either the head gasket or a cracked head.

Isuzuzuki man · 10-06-2008, 11:13 PM

Yea I'd say a cracked head is very probable, does it run hot?

mikesierra46 · 10-07-2008, 12:25 AM

No, actually I just bought the car at a low price because of this problem, but I drove it home yesterday (about 60 miles) and it never got hot at all (didn't even misfire). Any estimate of how much a head would cost at a wrecking yard?

mikesierra46 · 10-10-2008, 10:10 PM

Now I'm not sure if there's anything wrong with this engine at all. I see no moisture in the #1 spark plug hole, just rusty residue inside the hole. Then I looked in the rest of the spark plug holes, #2 is actually more rusty-looking than #1, and #3 and #4 are rusty but less than the others. Extremely doubtful that the head is cracked near all 4 spark plug holes. Anyone else seen this? I'm thinking maybe some water got in #1 spark plug hole when the previous owner washed the engine and caused the misfire (and check engine light code for miss on #1 cyl).

Isuzuzuki man · 10-11-2008, 11:46 AM

Is it coolant or water, yes water does get in there if the engine is washed. Mine had water in them too, but it was from a dealer, so I knew it was washed, never had a problem. Dry them out and spray a little silicone spray in there.

I'd say you got a heck of a deal.