Mazda3 2.3L Leaking Coolant...Head Gasket?

[smetzger]

2.3L is leaking coolant from the left side of the block...

Oil looks fine on the dipstick and I don't see any oil in the coolant expansion tank...So, is this the head gasket?

 

[negusm]

No, that does not look like something a head gasket would do. Looks like a leak coming from something above and dripping down.

 

[smetzger]

I can see the coolant bubble out of that circled bolt that is on the block.
Here is a blown out pic that shows the location better...

Anyone know what that bolt is and how to fix the leak?

 

[negusm]

I don't see the bolt. That big plastic part with the "X" on top fails...or more likely its gasket fails.

The gasket from that plastic block to the head needs to be replaced. Possibly the entire plastic block as well if you don't trust it. If it were me and that plastic block wasn't too expensive I'd replace it. Heat is murder on plastic engine parts. I'd recommend new hoses too.

Here is a vid showing coolant shooting up like you are experiencing:

 

[negusm]

Here is a vid for the same fix where the plastic assembly failed while the gasket may still be ok:

 

[smetzger]

ahhh... ok thanks.

It looked like it was coming out of the bolt just next to that plastic part. Didn't realize that plastic part connected a bunch of hoses.

Thanks