Could this be my coolant leak?

[dreamer2355]

Did you put a cooling pressure tester on your cooling system when trying to locate the leak?_x000D_
_x000D_
Where i work, if we are trying to isolate a leak on a ‘dirty’ engine, we usually use a degreaser, wash it clean then start investigating.

Topic

[hbvx]

Well, I’ve yet to actually do the head gasket job. :huh:

Eric, in place of a proper straight edge for checking the block and the head for warp, what sort of straight edges can be used that are truly straight edges?

This UOA just showed me it’s probably the HG after all. I need to still do the job.

Any particular technique on cleaning the old gasket material off?

Thank you.

[hbvx]

Well, I’ve yet to actually do the head gasket job. :huh:

Eric, in place of a proper straight edge for checking the block and the head for warp, what sort of straight edges can be used that are truly straight edges?

This UOA just showed me it’s probably the HG after all. I need to still do the job.

Any particular technique on cleaning the old gasket material off?

Thank you.

[college man]

here is a link on checking for flatness.
a standard gasket scraper for the gasket removal.

http://www.importtuner.com/tech/impp_1007_cylinder_head_distortion_check/

[college man]

here is a link on checking for flatness.
a standard gasket scraper for the gasket removal.

http://www.importtuner.com/tech/impp_1007_cylinder_head_distortion_check/

[hbvx]

^Thanks for the link. I’m ALSO wondering if it’s possible a bad IM gasket could leak coolant into the runner for cylinder #4, like this video shows as far as the closeness of the cross-over. (about 13 minutes into the video)

I suppose I could check cylinder #4 with the plug removed to see if it looks relatively clean. The car just drives super nice aside from hesitation upon moving at times, so it just doesn’t seem like a blown head gasket. If anything, I’m hoping at worse it’s “just” a gasket leak only. I have had the car for almost 3 years and this is the first oil report with a dramatic showing of coolant. The one before was the first sign to monitor.

[hbvx]

^Thanks for the link. I’m ALSO wondering if it’s possible a bad IM gasket could leak coolant into the runner for cylinder #4, like this video shows as far as the closeness of the cross-over. (about 13 minutes into the video)

I suppose I could check cylinder #4 with the plug removed to see if it looks relatively clean. The car just drives super nice aside from hesitation upon moving at times, so it just doesn’t seem like a blown head gasket. If anything, I’m hoping at worse it’s “just” a gasket leak only. I have had the car for almost 3 years and this is the first oil report with a dramatic showing of coolant. The one before was the first sign to monitor.

[college man]

If you suspect a coolant leak into #4 pull the plug
and see if its real clean or orange color.

[college man]

If you suspect a coolant leak into #4 pull the plug
and see if its real clean or orange color.

[hbvx]

It’ll be crusty, right? Not necessarily wet? Best to pull the plug after it has been driven and still is warm(for looking into the cylinder purposes for coolant presence) or even stone cold/doesnt matter?

[hbvx]

It’ll be crusty, right? Not necessarily wet? Best to pull the plug after it has been driven and still is warm(for looking into the cylinder purposes for coolant presence) or even stone cold/doesnt matter?

[college man]

You can’t pull a plug with the engine hot.cold is best.
The plug will look orange rust color if coolant.

[college man]

You can’t pull a plug with the engine hot.cold is best.
The plug will look orange rust color if coolant.

[EricTheCarGuy]

It might also look much cleaner than the other plugs if there is coolant getting into the engine. However this won’t be conclusive because if the head gasket is the cause the result on the plug reading will be the same. I think the only way you’ll know is to remove the intake and inspect the gasket. You need to do that to replace the head gasket anyway so it’s not like you’d be doing extra work if you’re committed to a head gasket replacement.

[EricTheCarGuy]

It might also look much cleaner than the other plugs if there is coolant getting into the engine. However this won’t be conclusive because if the head gasket is the cause the result on the plug reading will be the same. I think the only way you’ll know is to remove the intake and inspect the gasket. You need to do that to replace the head gasket anyway so it’s not like you’d be doing extra work if you’re committed to a head gasket replacement.

[hbvx]

@EricTheCarGuy and everyone else, I finally got confirmation with a cooling system leakdown test + spark plugs removed to confirm the head gasket ‘finally’ showed confirmed signs of ingestion visually. Before, the cooling system would hold pressure and I suppose no one checked on ingestion via the plug removal method.

I did have to use a shop to get this work done, but I learned a lot in this process to be able to grow at doing more DIY work.

I’ll be doing follow-up UOA to confirm no more coolant ingestion. That was my first clue, after all. At least, as far as ‘where is my coolant going’.

The thermostat replacement was done and the external leaks seem to be done. It’s kind of funny seeing a clean re-surfaced head with new intake/exhaust gaskets sitting on such a dirty block.

banana:

Thanks again!

PS: The shop that did the work raised the engine slightly when putting things back together. Does where the engine sit in the bay have to be precise? I noticed the idle resonance has changed(since it still occasionally will have the low ‘shudder-like’ idle at full temp.)

[Author]

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