Head gasket failure?

Topic: Head gasket failure? (Read 5175 times) previous topic - next topic

Head gasket failure?

Reply #15 – February 22, 2011, 03:26:04 AM

I run $1.99 copper plugs. Never had a problem.

Go to a hardware store and find a good tee you can splice into the hose, I would prefer the upper. Undo the radiator drian plug, stick you garden hose in the tee and just let it flush for a bit till it comes out clear and call it a day. Also check your oil and make sure your "new" motor is not filling with water.

Head gasket failure?

Reply #16 – February 22, 2011, 11:13:21 AM

Not running right- check for vac leaks and I would put a new set of copper plugs, Motorcraft/Autolight

Head gasket failure?

Reply #17 – February 22, 2011, 08:39:20 PM

I figured out why it was running so poorly... When I was working on plug 8, I must have busted the vacuum connector on the brake booster. Fixed that and now it runs much better, great actually. Still need to investigate the coolant pollution. Flushing the system is on the agenda for tomorrow. Thanks for the help so far, guys!

Head gasket failure?

Reply #18 – February 22, 2011, 09:44:18 PM

Fingers crossed!

Head gasket failure?

Reply #19 – February 23, 2011, 02:14:50 AM

Good luck, let us know.

Head gasket failure?

Reply #20 – March 02, 2011, 01:26:16 AM

Go to an auto shop and use an exhaust gas buttstuffyzer to sniff the coolant for hydrocarbons in your coolant-most definitive method of diagnosing a head gasket.

Head gasket failure?

Reply #21 – March 02, 2011, 09:32:06 PM

I am highly doubting a head gasket now. Everything seems to check out okay with the only symptom being brown coolant. To avoid turning my driveway into an ice rink, I am putting off the coolant system flush until it warms up.

Head gasket failure?

Reply #22 – March 03, 2011, 12:43:55 AM

Quote from: Hutch;354369

Go to an auto shop and use an exhaust gas buttstuffyzer to sniff the coolant for hydrocarbons in your coolant-most definitive method of diagnosing a head gasket.

no its not.
compression test then physical inspection/verification.

blackberries and electronic gizmos dont do everything.

Head gasket failure?

Reply #23 – March 03, 2011, 12:44:32 AM

Quote from: amooset;354424

I am highly doubting a head gasket now. Everything seems to check out okay with the only symptom being brown coolant. To avoid turning my driveway into an ice rink, I am putting off the coolant system flush until it warms up.

use a bucket maybe. shouldnt take but one cycle of new coolant to verify.

Head gasket failure?

Reply #24 – March 03, 2011, 01:55:45 PM

Quote from: amooset;353530

I will try the jar thing. I hate to waste the money on flushing and refilling if the new coolant will get polluted all over again. It very well could be rust, the water pump on it was stuck at first and a bunch of brown gunk came out when I flushed it before installation. [COLOR="red"]Maybe I didn't get all the rust out of the system[/COLOR].

Not if you didn't knock the freeze plugs out and douche the block you didn't...

If you can put the coolant into a container and let it set a few days, you'll be able to pour off the clean coolant and save probably 90% of it...

Head gasket failure?

Reply #25 – March 08, 2011, 02:19:20 AM

Quote from: jcassity;354430

no its not.
compression test then physical inspection/verification.

blackberries and electronic gizmos dont do everything.

Did you just compare an Exhaust Gas buttstuffyzer to a Blackberry? Can't remember the last time my phone gave me a HC, CO or a NOx reading...

Head gasket failure?

Reply #26 – March 08, 2011, 10:38:15 AM

Quote from: Hutch;354837

Did you just compare an Exhaust Gas buttstuffyzer to a Blackberry? Can't remember the last time my phone gave me a HC, CO or a NOx reading...

The point jcassity was trying to make is we all jump to technology to solve problems for us immediately without thinking. Sometimes a little intuition and "the old fashioned way" of doing something is still the most effective.

Head gasket failure?

Reply #27 – March 12, 2011, 09:09:46 PM

Well, I flushed the system thoroughly, refilled the coolant and started it up. Within a couple of miles, it turned brown again. Also, it isn't idling as well as it could and I am starting to get a little white smoke in the exhaust when first starting it. It just may be the head gasket after all. I will try a leakdown test when I get the necessary supplies. Has anyone used the liquid head gasket repair stuff with any success? I might give that a shot to save a little time.

Head gasket failure?

Reply #28 – March 16, 2011, 04:30:07 AM

A leakdown test confirmed my fears. Coolant is sneaking into cylinder 1. I am still not getting coolant in the oil, so I am trying something I read about with the K&W head gasket/block sealer:

Quote

Try a can of K&W Engine Block Seal additive you can buy at your local auto supply. Drain out the coolant, add the can of additive to your radiator and drive the car for about 500 miles, then drain out the water/additive and install the proper mix of coolant and water to the radiator. I have had great success with this method. WARNING – there will be NO freeze or overheating protecting during this time, since there is no coolant in the radiator.

Head gasket failure?

Reply #29 – March 16, 2011, 08:20:23 AM

Swap the gasket. Do it right the first time. It's not that big of a job, and you get peace of mind. Actually, swap them both. I figure if I had an engine torn down that much, may as well pull the other head and install two new gaskets.