Help with coolant leak on exhaust side of block

[MC Hammered]

I noticed some coolant staining on the exhaust side of the block and the coolant tank was down about an inch of fluid.

I jacked the car and took a look underneath and saw what is shown in the pictures.

- The head gasket was changed 4 years ago.
- The car isn't overheating, there is no coolant & oil milkshake or oil in the coolant tank
- No white smoke from exhaust
- Checked spark plugs and they look OK, but is brownish stain on the nose of some of them mean I'm running a bit lean?
- Looked at piston tops and they are black

So any idea what might be the source of the leak?








plug 1



plug 2


plug 3


plug 4


plug 5


plug 6

[Northern]

Headgasket, just isn't between water/oil passages or cylinders.

[328ijunkie]

HG. See this with VR HG's from time to time.

[MC Hammered]

Thanks guys for the information.

I went to see my friend and borrow a pressure tester, while driving there I was paying attention to the coolant temps and saw them fluctuate between 88-102degC.

When I parked the car we heard a hissing sound. Popped the hood and we could hear the sound of liquid evaporating as it hit the exhaust header, so a slow drip of coolant leaking externally from the HG is what we suspected.