Head gasket problem?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
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Head gasket problem?
I just purchased a 1986 corvette with the ALUM heads on it. When I got it the fan was not working correctly. The fan closer to the engine not the little fan up front. The temp would go up to around 250 range ON THE GAUGE, if it sat in traffic. Well after getting that fixed the car got worse. The same day I got the fan fixed in it the temp kept going up and up. I even had it up to around 280 one time but shut the car RIGHT OFF. It was out of water. The car used to burn water a little then it got worse and worse. You can see the smoke come out of the exhaust but NOT to bad but not good at all either. It also burns a about a quart of oil a month. Does this sound like it needs a head gasket or does it sound like it has a bad head? There are no sounds coming from the engine and there is no water in the oil.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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The head gasket would be the easiest thing. If it's burning that much oil you might need to rings as well. The best thing you could do would probably be to tear the engine down and do a budget rebuild on it.
New bearings and rings as well as all new gaskets would probably have you back in shape.
New bearings and rings as well as all new gaskets would probably have you back in shape.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 25
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Well i dont want to do all that stuff right now until this winter. I just want to get it back in order and running good until this winter. At that time i will then tear it down and redo the engine OR buy a gm engine with 280 hp for about 1500 and put my stuff on that motor. But Do you guys think by the sounds of it and the over heating that it is prob the head gasket and not the heads or what?
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
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From: Kempner Texas
Go to AutoZone and rent (it's free) and coolant system pressure tester. Remove the radiator cap and screw it on. Pressurize the system to no more than 20 psi and see if the pressure holds.
If it doesn't, the problem could be a leaking intake manifold gasket (easiest to replace) or head gasket(s) which is the most time consuming or an external leak which would show up on the floor/ground.
Oil burning could be a number of things including valve stem seals, guides, rings or intake gasket. A compression tester (AutoZone again) should point you in the direction of which it is.
Hope this helps.
Jake
If it doesn't, the problem could be a leaking intake manifold gasket (easiest to replace) or head gasket(s) which is the most time consuming or an external leak which would show up on the floor/ground.
Oil burning could be a number of things including valve stem seals, guides, rings or intake gasket. A compression tester (AutoZone again) should point you in the direction of which it is.
Hope this helps.
Jake
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
The coolant pressure testor will tell you if you have combustion gasses being injected into the cooling system.
A compression check on the cylinders will tell you if you have a head gasket issue.
Since you plan on a rebuild or replace in say 4mo, you may be able to just fill up with coolant and drive it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by vettespd23
But Do you guys think by the sounds of it and the over heating that it is prob the head gasket and not the heads or what?
Thanks
Thanks
I vote for, "or what?".
Originally Posted by JAKE
If it doesn't, the problem could be a leaking intake manifold gasket (easiest to replace) or head gasket(s) which is the most time consuming or an external leak which would show up on the floor/ground.
RACE ON!!!
