coolant around head gasket (PIC ADDED)

[jpedro]

so i was just out for a drive and i got a slight whiff of coolant! well temp gauge was deffinatly low its about -5 here and car hardly gets warmed up due to modified thermostat. anyways to the point of my story. i just got home and poped the hood cause i got the whiff looked around everything is dry, coolant level is normal. looked around the head gasket and behind the injector pump in the # cylinder area thers the SMALLEST AND I MEAN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT of coolant on the edge of the gasket. on the front corner of the engine, what would that mean? blown head gasket or is it just weaping in that spot? should i give it a re tourque ? need to know more ask away.

[Quantum TD]

I sometimes see that after I do a headgasket job. I usually retorque to 120 ft-lbs, or when the bolts begin to give.

If you've never done your head gasket before (or you're certain it's never been done), then I'd prepare to take on the job (or save to have it done).

[jpedro]

lol ill do a re tourqe and plan on the headgasket change in the near future.

[vanbcguy]

The other possibility is a leaky hose flange.  The Mk II/III ones are plastic and tend to deform over time, resulting in small leaks that come and go.  It's pretty easy for a bit to drip on to the top of the headgasket and then sit there trying to convince you your gasket is shot.

[jpedro]

id like to belive that suggestion but the coolant i seen is right in the corner behind the injector pump and the flanges are on the other side of the head... or is it still a possibility ? its a brand new motor like everything brand new so i hope its something as simple as that.....

[jpedro]

Heres a pic of where im leaking coolant, the text box reads  ( This is the coolant spot i found behind the injector pump. ive driven 60+Km and it hasnt gotten any smaller or bigger, levels are the same, no bubbles in the resivoir nothing has changed, started perfectly fine this morning without being plugged in and theres artic outflow winds here and very very cold at night. doesnt steam or do anything thing in any way it shouldnt other then this spot, you think after warming up and driving it would evaporate or get worse but nope its stays the same. so what you think blown head gasket? or should i do a re tourque on my head again while its warm to see if that seals it up? this new motor only has 183Km on it so its a bummer definately. and i dont have a way of doing a leak down or compresion tests so those are outta the questions and dont have money to reallly blow on the tools to do that with. but anyways heres the picture :

[R.O.R-2.0]

is it leaking enough to make you worry? or is it possible that a little coolant got there somehow and has not evaporated?

[jpedro]

no im not to worried about it cause it hasnt changed in level or anything itll be fine for now see how it pans out i guess

[8v-of-fury]

if its not a constant leak I wouldn't touch the head bolts..

[jpedro]

its not a constant leak but its there as you see in the pic no worse or better today, i just get  a whiff once in a while
 so i take it just leave it

[veedubcanuck]

Have you wiped it up to see if it comes back??

[theman53]

That little could have came from a hose or anything.

[745 turbogreasel]

GM cooling tabs do pretty good for porosity issues

[jpedro]

what are gm cooling tabs and where do you get them? i have wipped it up and that bit shows up again to the same amounts.

[745 turbogreasel]

They are pills of sealant you put in your coolant, especially if you build engines prone to leaking through porous metal. 
Any GM dealer will have them, and Bars might be the same thing.