blown head gasket?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Trophy Club Texas
blown head gasket?
About a week ago my 91 l98 started to run poorly after driving it for extended periods of time.
I stared to suspect that the drop in power after the engine had heated up was possibly due to a blown head gasket.
I removed the radiator cap and started the engine. After several minutes of the engine running and the engine heating up I started to see an occasional bubble come to the surface. Does this indicate a blown head gasket?
I am not seeing coolant in the oil. I will pull plugs tonight to see if they are wet. But the engine also doesn't seem to have a hard time starting which I would expect from wet plugs.
What else can I check to know for sure?
I stared to suspect that the drop in power after the engine had heated up was possibly due to a blown head gasket.
I removed the radiator cap and started the engine. After several minutes of the engine running and the engine heating up I started to see an occasional bubble come to the surface. Does this indicate a blown head gasket?
I am not seeing coolant in the oil. I will pull plugs tonight to see if they are wet. But the engine also doesn't seem to have a hard time starting which I would expect from wet plugs.
What else can I check to know for sure?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Check #7 and #8 plugs. If you find one that is really clean...chances are that you have a blown gasket. There is a water passage at the rear of these cylinders that is only about 1/8" from the cylinder wall. The gaskets tend to blow out in this area and the coolant will spray into the cylinder and doesn't get a chance to mix with the oil.
A better way is to take it to a shop. They should have a tester that then can place in the radiator to test for exhaust gasses in the coolant.
Good luck with your FUTURE gasket change project.
A better way is to take it to a shop. They should have a tester that then can place in the radiator to test for exhaust gasses in the coolant.
Good luck with your FUTURE gasket change project.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Trophy Club Texas
I will check those plugs later tonight... I really hope I'm wrong...
I am not seeing white smoke or anything.
I did see that tester that can check for combustion fumes in the radiator. I will take it to a friend of mine and have him check it out.
I am not seeing white smoke or anything.
I did see that tester that can check for combustion fumes in the radiator. I will take it to a friend of mine and have him check it out.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Trophy Club Texas
Yeah, I will get the radiator and cyl. Compression check done this week. Didn't get to check the plugs last night but I will try checking them later today or tomorrow.
If this ends up being what I fear... Anyone got a good guide for changing head gaskets?
Also, what else should i do since I will already be tearing down the engine that far?
If this ends up being what I fear... Anyone got a good guide for changing head gaskets?
Also, what else should i do since I will already be tearing down the engine that far?
