If you think that your car has a blown head gasket, this article will help you to find out with three fast and easy tests. All three tests are explained in detail and more importantly, I'll show you how to interpret your test results. Also, for the first two tests, you don't need any tools what-so-ever to do the tests with. The third test is a cylinder compression test for which you'll need a compression tester.
A blown head gasket is always the result of severe engine overheating. This engine overheating can be caused by one of several factors. For example: 1 The radiator fan is not working, 2 All of the coolant leaked out of the engine and you kept driving it this way. The most common symptoms a blown head gasket are:. Use a torque wrench to tighten the head onto the block. Check the service manual for the head bolt torque sequence and the amount of torque that needs to be applied for each step.
Some head bolts require 3 steps plus specified degree rotation as the final step. Set the timing belt or chain back to the proper alignment marks by carefully rotating the camshaft and crankshaft.
Check to see if the engine is an interference type of engine. If so, there is a very specific method to rotate and set up the camshaft to crankshaft timing so you don't damage or bend the valves! If equipped, install the distributor so it is properly timed with the number one cylinder. If applicable, adjust the valve clearance to proper specification. Fill the engine with new oil, replace the oil filter and fill the cooling system with new factory specified coolant.
When you start the engine, be sure to let the engine idle with the heater on full blast. This is so the cooling system has a chance to bleed out any air bubbles. Some engines require a specific cooling system bleeding procedure, be sure to check for that.
Make sure the engine does not overheat during the purging process, or head gasket or head damage could occur again. Once all air is out of the cooling system and engine temperature is stable and in the normal range, check for any leaking oil or coolant.
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Head gasket failure is often caused by an engine overheating. Keep an eye out for signs you may need a replacement of a head gasket, which can include loss of engine compression, mixing of oil and coolant, loss of coolant, and loss of oil. The two last causes can be very devastating to an engine if allowed to go on and may cause complete engine failure.
Loss of coolant will cause the engine to overheat even more and potentially warp the head and other castings. Low oil can mean loss of the lubrication for the engine's internal mechanical components, which will increase friction increase wear on the engine parts. If coolant got into the oil then this could have caused bearing failures on the crankshaft and pistons. Helpful 14 Not Helpful 7. You Might Also Like How to.
How to. About This Article. Co-authored by:. The number 6 cylinder hydro locked and mimicked a blown head gasket. I discovered this from a patient mechanic at a machine shop AFTER doing all the work replacing the heads.
Some replacement plenums have been improved with a metal sleeve to correct this design flaw. Hope this goes well for you…. It was likely at the salvage yard for a reason. In addition to what was posted above, more information on diagnosing head gasket issues can be found here.
Home Topic Buick Regal head gasket job. Buick Regal head gasket job. July 8, at am What we'll be doing here is removing the radiator cap from the radiator and then cranking the engine to see if the coolant gets shot out.
If the coolant gets shot out of the radiator, while a helper is cranking the engine, then you can correctly conclude that one or both of the head gaskets are blown. If the engine has been running for any length of time, then let it cool down completely before removing the radiator cap!
Remove the radiator cap from the radiator. If the radiator is not full, then top it off with water. Have your helper to crank the engine , while you stand at a safe distance from the open radiator. You'll see one of two results: 1. The water or coolant inside the radiator will shoot up and out of the now open radiator. The coolant will not be disturbed. In other words, cranking the engine will have no effect on the level of the water or coolant in the radiator.
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