Head Gaskets...??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 382
Likes: 23
From: Acworth, GA
Head Gaskets...??
Hey guys,
While driving down the highway at higher rpms with my non overdrive 4 speed L-82, the engine temps continue to climb. Hasn't ever overheated but that's because I stop before it gets out of hand. I have noticed that this seems to cause my coolant tank to empty itself....
No leaky hoses that i can find....Any chance that it's not my head gaskets.....Or am I stuck with pulling the heads to find out....Not particularly excited about that thought, but I will if I have to.
Will
While driving down the highway at higher rpms with my non overdrive 4 speed L-82, the engine temps continue to climb. Hasn't ever overheated but that's because I stop before it gets out of hand. I have noticed that this seems to cause my coolant tank to empty itself....
No leaky hoses that i can find....Any chance that it's not my head gaskets.....Or am I stuck with pulling the heads to find out....Not particularly excited about that thought, but I will if I have to.
Will
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Just check your oil for coolant. It'll make it milky white.
Also, you say it only happens at highway speeds? It's probably bad radiator core support seals. Also check to make sure you're fan clutch is engaging properly and that your chin spoiler is in place.
Also, you say it only happens at highway speeds? It's probably bad radiator core support seals. Also check to make sure you're fan clutch is engaging properly and that your chin spoiler is in place.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Finly IN
Another possibility
It might be a leaking intake manifold gasket. A leak can pressurize your coolant system causing a rapid loss without leaving much of an easily seen indication.
Also, Check for leaks around the freeze plugs.
Also, Check for leaks around the freeze plugs.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 382
Likes: 23
From: Acworth, GA
well, i pulled the heads thinking the head gaskets were bad. I did not find any sign of leakage anywhere....
Didn't find any sign of leakiage from the intake manifold gaskets either....can't see any sign of cracking in the heads either, shouldn't either seeing as they are only a year old....edelbrock rpm heads and intake by the way....
Where on earth is my coolant going.....could it be boiling off somewhere...perhaps the radiator cap not functioning properly....but wouldn't i be able to see it leaking out of the cap, or at least signs of it coming out of there.....
Someone mentioned checking the freeze plugs....what would i be looking for exactly.....
Any ideas would be appreciated....I hope to have it back together tommorow....And we will see if I somehow fixed something in the process.....fingers crossed....
Will
Didn't find any sign of leakiage from the intake manifold gaskets either....can't see any sign of cracking in the heads either, shouldn't either seeing as they are only a year old....edelbrock rpm heads and intake by the way....
Where on earth is my coolant going.....could it be boiling off somewhere...perhaps the radiator cap not functioning properly....but wouldn't i be able to see it leaking out of the cap, or at least signs of it coming out of there.....
Someone mentioned checking the freeze plugs....what would i be looking for exactly.....
Any ideas would be appreciated....I hope to have it back together tommorow....And we will see if I somehow fixed something in the process.....fingers crossed....
Will
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Long Valley NJ
Freeze plugs
Freeze plugs are in several locations. Under the motor mounts, and in front of the fly wheel. They are about 1 1/4 in diamiter and are set back in a concave shape. You would have some dripping from the engine if it was them.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
Didn't see your post until just now and I hate to say it, but you may have just had some air trapped in the system. You didn't mention how much coolant and how often you were replacing it, but I have seen this happen plenty of times.
ltlevil
ltlevil
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 382
Likes: 23
From: Acworth, GA
i have been losing it by the resevoir load and it's everytime i ride on the interstate for more than 10 minutes or so, the resevoir will empty itself and then the temp starts to climb.
Anychance it could be something silly like a radiator cap.
I should have back up and running again on monday with all new head and intake gaskets. I'll keep yo all posted as to what happens.
Anychance it could be something silly like a radiator cap.
I should have back up and running again on monday with all new head and intake gaskets. I'll keep yo all posted as to what happens.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
when your engine gets hot it is going to fill the resevoir up - when it cools down it is going to suck the water from the resevoir back into the engine.
get everything back together and replace the thermostat and radiator cap and then see what happens. FYI - get the cap and thermostat from the GM dealer - do not get them from a parts house as they are junk - cant stress that enough. The delco thermostat will come with steam vents and the cap is designed to work with the resevoir and correct pressures for that specific vehicle.
In my past experience, if you are overheating whilst running down the highway, that is usually caused by some sort of radiator blockage - either internally which can be fixed by having a radiator shop take a tank off and rod the core tubes out, or an outer blockage as in air not getting directed up into the front of the radiator. This would intern cause the engine to gradually get hotter and slowly blow out all the water.
good luck fixing the problem.
get everything back together and replace the thermostat and radiator cap and then see what happens. FYI - get the cap and thermostat from the GM dealer - do not get them from a parts house as they are junk - cant stress that enough. The delco thermostat will come with steam vents and the cap is designed to work with the resevoir and correct pressures for that specific vehicle.
In my past experience, if you are overheating whilst running down the highway, that is usually caused by some sort of radiator blockage - either internally which can be fixed by having a radiator shop take a tank off and rod the core tubes out, or an outer blockage as in air not getting directed up into the front of the radiator. This would intern cause the engine to gradually get hotter and slowly blow out all the water.
good luck fixing the problem.