I have a 2.8 developed a coolant leak seams to be coming form the timing cover gasket. Do I have to change the oil pan gasket to or can i use rtv to seal it back. any other help with this project will be helpful.

Just curious... had you replaced the water pump recently?

Yes I did didnt use a clamp

quote Originally posted by fireojay86: Yes I did (but) didnt use a clamp

Yeah, I was wondering if that might've been a contributing factor.

quote Originally posted by fireojay86: If it was the gasket would anti freeze come out as fast as you poured it in.

Probably not, but I have no idea for sure.

Was your engine exposed to sub-freezing temperatures this past winter with straight water (or insufficient antifreeze) in the cooling system?

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 04-14-2019).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Was your engine exposed to sub-freezing temperatures this past winter with straight water (or insufficient antifreeze) in the cooling system?

Assuming Coon Rapids is in Iowa or Minnesota, the answer has to be 'of course!' Polar Vortex temps were -20^oF for a week!

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 04-14-2019).]

quote Originally posted by Gall757: ...temps were -20oF for a week!

Which is why the second half of my question is so critical.

No this happened last summer it was empty of coolant this winter. Has not been really driven for the last four years. I'm thinking now the block heater may be the cause. And should I change the timing cover gasket and what about the oil pan gasket.

quote Originally posted by fireojay86: And should I change the timing cover gasket and what about the oil pan gasket.

Put a set of rings in there while you're at it.

If you feel you might've disturbed the timing cover gasket when you changed the water pump (without using "the clamp"), you might consider doing it now while you've got the pump off again... just depends on your present comfort level. The oil pan gasket is IMO not relevant, unless you've had an oil pan leak.

Top-off the engine with water, pump-up the cooling system and confirm if the leak is from the timing cover or block heater. Timing cover leaks usually do not dump water out as fast as you can pour it in. For your original question...if you remove the timing cover, good chance your oil pan will leak when you put it back together. RTV may work if you let it cure properly.