Edit: I just noticed I spelled timing chain wrong on the thread title... oops anyways,

Alright, so as soon as I pulled into the campus parking lot this morning for PT, I noticed my truck running a little warm from my scangauge (about 209). When I got outside my truck, I noticed my antifreeze just started gushing out when i pulled into the parking space.

Long story short, my friend and I found the leak coming from what I believe is the timing chain cover:





The red arrow show where it was leaking from. We tightened the bolt where the blue arrow was and it slowed down the leak tremendously (but not totally). We then gobbed up some black RTV silicon in a feeble attempt that I would be able to make it home.

On the 25 mile trip home, my coolant temp stayed at a steady 190 and I didn't see any leaking when I pulled up to my house.

Is this from the timing chain cover? And if so, should I take everything out to fix this if the sealant stopped the leak for now?

I replaced my water pump about 1 1/2 years ago when it went bad, but I didn't touch the timing cover or timing chain so maybe since I have 190xxx miles it may be a good time to do so. What are your guys opinion on what I should do?

Side note: Ive been thinking a lot about getting a new camshaft for more efficiency and power. IF I do have to take everything off, would it be a good idea to try and replace the cam now (I have no experience with internal engine parts so I don't know how hard this may be)? And if yes, any recommendations on what to go with?

 

start with a pressure test of the cooling system when the engine is at operating temperature.

Don't replace cam unless you want to rebuild the heads, you'll have to take the intake manifold off to do the cam so it's a bigger job than just the timing cover.

do a pressure check and then try to fix leak, don't use stop leak product, that's just clay that ends up where it ends up. drive like normal and keep an eye on the water level.

if it gets to be too much then plan on taking the timing cover off. and replace as needed, gaskets for example.

 

Thanks for the reply. So far I haven't had a leak since the simple work I've done on Monday (tightening the bolt and shoving black rtv sealant on the outside where it was leaking).

It may have been as simple as that bolt coming loose over time, but I don't know for sure. I think it may be close to time for me to do the timing chain so I may just go ahead and do it sometime soon when I have have a free day.

I've heard that after taking off the intake manifold replacing the cam should be pretty simple (once the timing cover is off) but I don't really know. I don't think taking off the intake manifold would be too hard, but it is more work for sure. Would the heads suffer damage if I don't rebuild them and put in a new cam? I do want to get new or possibly the GT-40 heads, but I just don't have the money for that right now. However cams seem to be cheap in comparison to the heads and I want to make my engine more efficient/stronger so I thought a cam is the next thing my truck could use.