Rb26 Leaking From Block

[ItzGenX]

Hey guys. My RB26 block trickles water out the front behind the front cover when I put water in the radiator. I have pinpointed it out to be in a certain area of the front of the block, and it appears to be from a circular plug of some sort on the block (not a freeze/core/welch plug). I was wondering what this circular thing is, and is there a way to fix it? It appears to have a circular tooling mark like it was pressed in. I am not sure if it popped out or not. If I touch it by finger, it feels really solid and doesn't move. The water comes out at a rate of about a shot glass every 5-7 seconds or so. I have concluded that it is either a crack or this circular thing that is releasing water. I can't visually see a crack (unless it is hiding in that rough casting just below it). Any help figuring this out would be much appreciated. At worst case, I will need to purchase an N1 block and get it bored to 86.5mm to swap my 2.8L bottom end into. I am really trying to avoid that at all cost right now, so I would like to exhaust all avenues and options before pulling the motor for the millionth time.

[GTSBoy]

Well, it could be the plug. I don't know if there's oil or water behind that one. Assuming it's water, then, certainly any of your theories could be correct (those being the seal of the plug itself or perhaps a crack in the block).

But here's the question. The water isn't coming from the water pump below and squirting up and fooling you as to the source?

[ItzGenX]

That's a Nitto oil pump sitting below it. The water pump is removed in this picture, and it sits directly above in the outline of empty bolt holes.

[ItzGenX]

I leak tested this setup by removing the timing covers, timing belt, tensioner, and idler, then reinstalling the radiator. I poured water in the radiator, and shortly after, it would begin trickling out from below the water pump. Along the bottom perimeter of the pump was dry when I touched it with my hand, and the wetness definitely began a little lower, but I couldn't get at a good enough angle to see it. In order to view the area better, I took the water pump off. The problem with the pump off is that I can no longer test for the leak, since water will just come pouring out the openings instead. All I know is that it was this general area in question, and I wanted to know if anyone has ever had this problem or even knew what this little circular plug looking thing is. I can try putting the water pump back on and have someone hold a phone down there to record the area while I pour water back in. Either way, if its that plug thing, how do you remove it or reseal it? I am just trying to get a game plan for it if that's the case.

[GTSBoy]

That's a Nitto oil pump sitting below it. The water pump is removed in this picture, and it sits directly above in the outline of empty bolt holes.

Haha. Ooops!

[GTSBoy]

It would come out and go back in the same as any other welch plug, even if it is a bit different in design to a real welch plug. Drill hole in centre and use big fat self tapper thread on a slide hammer to get it out. Clean up hole, put sealant on new one and push it in. Probably easier to do with engine out than in, but surely not impossible to do in car.

Edited October 19, 2015 by GTSBoy

[GTRPSI]

Thats a oil passage bung, you remove it to clean the oil galleries.

Edit, same bung is in the back of the block so you can get a rifle cleaner through there....

Id say your leak (if water) is coming from the pump above.

Edited October 19, 2015 by GTRPSI

[Adrian P]

^^ that's what I was going to say... There is one on the front and rear or a rb- oil passage.

Does your water pump have a elongated or round hole on top ? (The small bolt hole?)

Are you using liquid gasket when installing the water pump?

[r32-25t]

Thats a oil passage bung, you remove it to clean the oil galleries.

Edit, same bung is in the back of the block so you can get a rifle cleaner through there....

Id say your leak (if water) is coming from the pump above.

im glad someone said it