Noticed today that coolant had overflown from the expansion tank. Coolant was also kinda brownish yellow in color. Does this indicate a headgasket problem?
Judging by the quarter mile trap speed it's also a bit down on power. (112mph and should have 430hp) Could these be related?
Here is a pic of the coolant:
looks like someone has pissed in your radiator
I would run the engine with the rad cap off and see if any bubbles appear at the filler. Have you checked the oil for mayo?
also take the plugs out and see if they have been steam cleaned. Does it smoke? (white)
Originally Posted by silverzx
Oil looks fine. I also changed the plugs a week ago and didn't notice anything odd in them. It doesn't smoke.looks like someone has pissed in your radiator
I would run the engine with the rad cap off and see if any bubbles appear at the filler. Have you checked the oil for mayo?
also take the plugs out and see if they have been steam cleaned. Does it smoke? (white)
Is it possible for the headgasket to leak gas into the coolant, but not the other way around?
The level on the expansion tank had risen again and the rad was not full (I guess it's pretty much missing the amount that was over the max limit on the expansion tank)
Anyway I started the car with the rad cap off and didn't see any bubbles, but might be because the rad was not full. Have to wait for the car too cool down and fill the rad and check again.
But I don't know what else could change the color of the coolant than a HG leak
Is it a big job to change the HG in situ? I might aswell take the head off and check it anyway. It has been running over 400HP for about 4 years since I rebuilt it...
Yes I had this issue, it's called a combustion leak, mine only happened after heavy boosting/driving
In the end required head skim and new metal headgasket
Filled the expansion bottle after hard driving, try using a block tester on it?
That's what I was afraid of. Too bad I won't have the money for a new gasket in a long time
Looks like it's going off the road early this year
Also while head is off get it pressured tested to rule out any cracks etc, get good brand/quality gasket and arp's if you haven't already then will be back to being awesome
It has ARP's and Apex'i gasket atm... With any luck the gasket might be reusable?
Personally I wouldn't re use gasket but have heard of people re using with success, due to the age and level of power you have put I would get new plus if it has leaked there will likely be some form of wear/damage I would imagine
I would definately get a new gasket if I had the money, but I have zero income atm... Good HG's ain't exactly cheap...
Before you do anything take it to a garage or buy the kit yourself and do a chemical test on the cooling system, basically it's a bit if kit you stick in the rad and it tests for combustion hydrocarbons, if the chemical turned piss yellow your heads gone.
Then you will have a definite answer
If the gasket is leaking then whats the point in re using it??? You wont be getting rid of the issue will you
Take the rad cap off and put your hand on top of the filler and get someone to turn the engine over. If the head gasket is leaking from cylinders into the coolant you will feel a bit of compression like a pulse as the engine turns over.
Unless the gasket itself is fine and it's just the coating that's damaged. If that is the case isn't it possible that all it requires is a head skim and copper spray on the gasket?If the gasket is leaking then whats the point in re using it??? You wont be getting rid of the issue will you
Anyways I will start taking the head off today and see how it looks.
Is it worth the risk of rebuilding your engine and finding that it hasn't worked??
It is if you really can't afford a new gasket. Apex'i gasket costs over £200. Power Enterprise gaskets even more. Even the Cosworth gasket is around £150...
Anyway I'll see how the gasket looks and have it checked by a local cylinder head specialist when I get the head skimmed.
Occassionally people sell them on here. Usually they have bought them for a rebuild and then gone a different route or not needed it etc so sell them on cheap. Worth keeping an eye out for one.
Well I took the head off and it was indeed the headgasket that was leaking...
The gasket was fine, but I think I'll still get a new one. Eating is overrated anyway
Any suggestions where I could get one cheapest? I guess Cosworth is the cheapest of the good ones?
BTW it must have been a true sadist who has designed the intake manifold... Fighting with the hoses under the manifold took more time than everything else together
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