Loosing coolant through exhaust??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill Ca.
Loosing coolant through exhaust??
Not really bad enough to smoke or steam. coolant went low on a short trip. When I was checking with the car idling, I notice bubbling into the coolant tank.
How do I tell if it is a head gasket or the head? a long time ago when the headers were installed they stripped the last header bolt on the drivers side and repaired it. It lasted for a few years and did not leak until recently. Is there an easy way to tell with out pulling it apart? No coolant in the oil, so we are good there. I could pressurize the cyl and look foer the bubbles, but I think it might be on the header side of the valve if it is in the head.
sounds like I have to pull her down?? did I answer my own question?
How do I tell if it is a head gasket or the head? a long time ago when the headers were installed they stripped the last header bolt on the drivers side and repaired it. It lasted for a few years and did not leak until recently. Is there an easy way to tell with out pulling it apart? No coolant in the oil, so we are good there. I could pressurize the cyl and look foer the bubbles, but I think it might be on the header side of the valve if it is in the head.
sounds like I have to pull her down?? did I answer my own question?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
There is a test kit available that will test the coolant for exhaust gases. If they are there, you need to pull it apart. A compression test and a cylinder leak down test may also tell the tale. Sorry dude, but it doesn't sound good. I wouldn't think a header bolt would cause this unless it cracked the block itself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 4
From: Rockford Illinois
If it is indeed burning off you might not be leaking that bad. Just enough to where the cylinders burn it off. It will only get worse if you leave it. The best bet would be to do a leak down test to see what head gasket will need to be replaced.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill Ca.
Thanks for the advice guys. She runs fine with good power. Like I said no coolant in the oil. I notice a little bump when I start it up after sitting for a couple of days, then it clears up and runs good. No smoke or steam. She has been sitting for a couple of days now so I think I will pull the plugs and see if there is coolant in any of the Cyl. I am hoping for a head gasket, but if it is the head, anyone knowwhere I can get a good deal on heads. The aformentioned 243s would be nice. the car has 130K miles Long tube headers LS6 intake, Hallteck snorkle and recalibrated MAF. 342 rear end RPM tranny and 2400 RPM stall conv. It is time for valves and springs anyway.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Check the C5 parts for sale section...Someone is selling Ls1 heads for < $100.00 shipped. I don't know if he sold them.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...pped-more.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...pped-more.html
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 468
Likes: 1
From: Chicago- North burbs IL
Could be as simple as a air pocket in the cooling system, I would flush the coolant and get the air out, get a new thermostat and then see what happens. I would not pull the Head untill last resort, with no power adder or cam it is hard to pop a head gasket. Are the fans working properly?
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
That little bump tends to sound like possible coolant in the cylinder. It easily can destroy a rod and piston so this is something you need to tend to right away. I've noticed over the years that Corvettes "seem" to give us a little warning when things need looking at or fixing. I think this is a warning to you...take the hint.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill Ca.
I am thinking cracked head. Once upon a time I got lazy and had a shop install my long tubes, they messed up and cross threaded the last header bolt on the drivers side. the pulled the head and said is was cracked and repaired it. It worked fine for a little over three years. I know that bolt is close to a water jacket. If I pull the plugs this weekend and find water in that last plug hole, It is time for a new set of heads.
Normally I do all my own work. This will teach me! I was thinking thatover the yeas and lots of autocross work and high RPM running. that it was time for valve springs anyway.
Normally I do all my own work. This will teach me! I was thinking thatover the yeas and lots of autocross work and high RPM running. that it was time for valve springs anyway.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill Ca.
That little bump tends to sound like possible coolant in the cylinder. It easily can destroy a rod and piston so this is something you need to tend to right away. I've noticed over the years that Corvettes "seem" to give us a little warning when things need looking at or fixing. I think this is a warning to you...take the hint.
on the warning! not driving her right now. Going to dig in this weekend!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill Ca.
I am thinking cracked head. Once upon a time I got lazy and had a shop install my long tubes, they messed up and cross threaded the last header bolt on the drivers side. the pulled the head and said is was cracked and repaired it. It worked fine for a little over three years. I know that bolt is close to a water jacket. If I pull the plugs this weekend and find water in that last plug hole, It is time for a new set of heads.
Normally I do all my own work. This will teach me! I was thinking thatover the yeas and lots of autocross work and high RPM running. that it was time for valve springs anyway.
Normally I do all my own work. This will teach me! I was thinking thatover the yeas and lots of autocross work and high RPM running. that it was time for valve springs anyway.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 374
Likes: 4
From: decatur ga
heads
Check the C5 parts for sale section...Someone is selling Ls1 heads for < $100.00 shipped. I don't know if he sold them.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...pped-more.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...pped-more.html
200.00
jakebowls@aol.com
