help: possibly lifted head
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 189
Likes: 12
From: Central Illinois
help: possibly lifted head
Needing suggestions, car in question is a 2000 with 160k miles. A&A kit with a V1Ti and 3.4" pulley, jam cam, E85, SBE, Auto car.
A few months back I blew the upper radiator hose apart in the middle and thought I could have possibly been lifting a head. I pulled all of the plugs, did a compression test, did a cooling system pressure test, and did a combustion leak test and had no signs of lifting a head. Since doing all of that, I've been retuned and during tuning I was spraying some coolant out of the cap. I replaced the cap hoping I had a faulty cap, and this is the first time I've made a pull since then. Still spraying a lot of coolant from the cap, unfortunately. Reservoir is new as I replaced it at the end of last year, I see no visual signs of it being a cracked/faulty reservoir but I guess it's a possibility. I've pulled the dipstick and oil looks great and no abnormal smells.
Any help or suggestions? I'm to the point where im leaning towards going ahead and replacing the gaskets and installing studs. If i replace gaskets ill throw on a different set of heads while im at it, at least stock 243's.
top compression test was a few weeks prior to the hose busting, bottom compression test was after the issue. As noted, a different gauge was used so there is going to be some difference.
Attachment 48346683
Pulled all of the plugs after the hose busted and didn't notice any signs of issues.
Attachment 48346684
here is the hose that busted previously.
Attachment 48346685
A few months back I blew the upper radiator hose apart in the middle and thought I could have possibly been lifting a head. I pulled all of the plugs, did a compression test, did a cooling system pressure test, and did a combustion leak test and had no signs of lifting a head. Since doing all of that, I've been retuned and during tuning I was spraying some coolant out of the cap. I replaced the cap hoping I had a faulty cap, and this is the first time I've made a pull since then. Still spraying a lot of coolant from the cap, unfortunately. Reservoir is new as I replaced it at the end of last year, I see no visual signs of it being a cracked/faulty reservoir but I guess it's a possibility. I've pulled the dipstick and oil looks great and no abnormal smells.
Any help or suggestions? I'm to the point where im leaning towards going ahead and replacing the gaskets and installing studs. If i replace gaskets ill throw on a different set of heads while im at it, at least stock 243's.
top compression test was a few weeks prior to the hose busting, bottom compression test was after the issue. As noted, a different gauge was used so there is going to be some difference.
Attachment 48346683
Pulled all of the plugs after the hose busted and didn't notice any signs of issues.
Attachment 48346684
here is the hose that busted previously.
Attachment 48346685
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
Have you replaced the thermostat? You would be amazed at the games a partially stuck thermostat can play with you and the reserve bottle while not showing over temp on gauge. There is also the obvious - is water pump pumping?
If the block testing tool shows no combustion gasses in coolant, it's not head gaskets. You can buy them or get them as loaners from parts stores.
They look like this and use a color changing chemical.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/o...RoCu5YQAvD_BwE
If the block testing tool shows no combustion gasses in coolant, it's not head gaskets. You can buy them or get them as loaners from parts stores.
They look like this and use a color changing chemical.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/o...RoCu5YQAvD_BwE
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Sep 8, 2019 at 04:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 189
Likes: 12
From: Central Illinois
i replaced the thermostat last year along with a new waterpump.
is there any chance that i'm lifting the head at high rpm, max boost, but while idling during the combustion leak test the head is seated preventing any gases from leaking?
is there any chance that i'm lifting the head at high rpm, max boost, but while idling during the combustion leak test the head is seated preventing any gases from leaking?
Last edited by nfantbabyjesus; Sep 8, 2019 at 04:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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Most likely but i would slowly get into to boost. Say go to 3 lbs and many times and see if its leaking any fluid. Continue creeping up a few lbs at a time and see when it started leaking. If it started leaking before full boost your head gasket is toast. Blow head doesn't always leak in the combustion chamber. Mine leaked out of the engine. Started leaking around 15 but full boost was 23lbs. Changed to LS9. I've been 30lbs but lowered to 25ish to take some hp out to save tires but that didn't happen.
Car ran fine even with the blow head gasket
Car ran fine even with the blow head gasket
Last edited by helga203; Sep 8, 2019 at 04:40 PM.
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Yes, this is why I wouldn't trust a compression test alone on a FI car. My opinion is that pressures are different under boost vs idling
