there's definitely a dribble coming from somewhere, but i don't think it's head gasket. does the pressure tester connect to the top of the radiator?

i watched a droplet roll down but is just impossible to see behind all the hoses and connectors

 

yes just the cap. the model i saw at our Autozone had a hand pump and gauge. I'm actually interested to rent today to test my new hoses and clamps

 

Yes but if those bolts are missing or not tight the bypass will just be floating and it can not be seated correctly into the bottom of the thermostat housing or the water pump hence why i said to check if they are there and tight.

 

 

Thank god you finally are on track. Nothing worse than trying to fix a problem with no apparent source. That's gotta be a huge relief!

 

haha well i'm not there yet i still can't see it. haven't really had a chance i work like 12hrs a day the last thing i want to do is look at a car problem afterwards haha.

 

why even have a well lit garage? for me this is the only time i'm letting my evo take up the garage space so getting to do a bit of tinkering during breaks or after office are like 'stolen moments' lol

 

Same. My work days are 12.5-13hrs of wall-to-wall stress. When I'm home, I just want to rest

 

Did you ever find the source of that last leak? the one right after you got the new motor in? it was a clear fluid iirc

they do make leak detection dye for coolant as well. Pressurizing the system should make a constant stream of leak. Spray bottle soapy water clean back there and get good lighting. Cover all bases.

 

Slightly O/T , but who's using the maker license for SW? Any good?

Could use it over my current CadKey/Key Creator to update some abilities.

 

shop that did the work found it. it was a leak at the oil pan return line, and they resealed the pan as well so suspected leak there also i guess.

haven't done anything with the coolant leak yet, but as far as i can tell it only leaks after a drive, not something i would see from starting up the car. i think it is exacerbated by pressure and i dont think there's much pressure when the car is idling. i did order a lower pressure cap, but i'm not going to put it on until the source of the issue is found. i'm just going to have an evo specific shop take a look at it in feb or mar, i'm not comfortable with it enough myself. i've seen the dribble on the trans but i can't see anything past that. im hoping it's thermostat housing or gasket, but again i can't see it

 

is using a fluidamper on a time attack car a bad idea?

https://stmtuned.com/products/610701...3-crank-pulley

been thinking about smoothing out the engine a little post-balance shaft removal (which I never wanted to do)

 

I'd say it's required on any configuration.

 

That is a torsional damper. You won't notice any reduction in the vibration from the balance shaft removal. They do different things.

 

Yes, buy one. They are very beneficial in keeping an engine from becoming a paperweight.

As other said, you won't feel a reduction in vibration.