Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: head gasket probs maybe? (Read 940 times) previous topic - next topic

head gasket probs maybe?

Ok a while back I had a over heating problem.  Im starting to suspect that it may be head gasket time.  so this is what i would like to know
3.8 engine
got new radiator, water pump & therm.
it looks like it is overheating according to the gauge but it stays right in the middle where the temp symbol is and doesn't go past that. previously it would lean to the far left right over the e. so it seemed odd to me for it to hang in the middle like it does now.i drove for an 1hr and 30 yesterday to see if it would go past and it didn't but i still suspect the worst.
Now as far as i know the most common symptoms of head gasket probs are milky oil, white smoke and oil in coolent.  none of which i have seen yet...... But i have seen  bubbles in the radiator which is supposed to be a symptom as well.  Now when they say bubbles is it like little ones that come up when u add water in the radiator when its cool and before i start it, or is it after i start it and see them to the point of making it overflow?

thanx in advance

Re: head gasket probs maybe?

Reply #1 –
Quote
previously it would lean to the far left right over the e. so it seemed odd to me for it to hang in the middle like it does now.
When I had my pump replaced the gauge read a bit higher too, likely because it finally had the proper antifreeze mix, and was up to normal pressure instead of losing all the pressure out the pump's weep hole.
Quote
Now when they say bubbles is it like little ones that come up when u add water in the radiator when its cool and before i start it, or is it after i start it and see them to the point of making it overflow?
After. While running the pressure in the cylinder(s) gets through the head gasket into the cooling jacket and forces the coolant out, like blowing through the straw into your milkshake.
Death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.

1988 5.0 Bird, mostly stock, partly not, now gone to T-Bird heaven.
1990 Volvo 740GL. 114 tire-shredding horsies, baby!

Re: head gasket probs maybe?

Reply #2 –
My old '90 Mustang had a cracked head...if you took the cap off the radiator and revved the car, it would shoot coolant all over the place.

Garrett H.
'94 F250 XLT- 4x4, 5 speed, 7.3 IDI Turbo Diesel, 4" intake, 4" exhaust, 5" turnout stacks, manual hubs, etc.
'87 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
Engine, wheels, tires, etc!
Exhaust sound clip
Another clip

Re: head gasket probs maybe?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Red_LX
My old '90 Mustang had a cracked head...if you took the cap off the radiator and revved the car, it would shoot coolant all over the place.


same thing that my dads crownvic does with a cracked head
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com
 

Re: head gasket probs maybe?

Reply #4 –
Are you sure your not losing radiator fluid?
Have you tried a hand tool to pressurize the radiator and checked everywhere for leaks? Check the heater hoses going into the firewall.

I had a water pump fail on me once that lost the fan clutch at the same time, causing insufficient air to flow thru the radiator after replacing the pump. Granted an unusual problem but worth looking into.

It goes without saying that you could try a compression check, but since its not smoking, it might be a waste of time.


Best of luck . I hope it's something simpler than gasket or head replacement.

:welder: