Head gasket

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Smplybttr

Smplybttr

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 21, 2010
Threads
45
Messages
399
Location
Cary, NC
Today begins the second head gasket exchange in 8k miles. :censor:

It's a good thing the fridge is stocked. I have to get it done so that Kenny has someone to chase the disc with at Logan's Run. I'm going to try and take pics this time.
 
Smplybttr said:
Today begins the second head gasket exchange in 8k miles. :censor:

It's a good thing the fridge is stocked. I have to get it done so that Kenny has someone to chase the disc with at Logan's Run. I'm going to try and take pics this time.
Click to expand...

What's causing them to blow so frequently???

Chase the disc??? hmmm i'll just leave that one alone
 
What did you not do the first time ?

Get the head planed down ? If you did not do it the first time then send it to the machine shop and have them do their thing to it, IE new valve guide seals, redo the valves and check the flatness of the bottom / intake , exhaust ports.
 
I don't know. THoff did the head work last time and did all that was needed, even repainted it. I don't know what happened, but it has popped again at #2 cylinder. I used a Felpro gasket kit, but that doesn't seem to be OEM, so i don't know if that's it or if there is a bigger problem at #2. The block looked to be in great shape, so frankly, i'm at a loss. We shall see.
 
Family is in town this weekend, but after that, I will be available to help you out bro.
 
really need to look around cylinder #2 when you pull the head. where did it blow, which side of the gasket blew out. Let me know when you are going to work on it. I might be able to stop by after work, or or one day on the weekend. (i already got plans on the evening of the 18th).
 
If you used a fel pro gasket. thats your problem. oem head gasket only. i ve heard of lots of guys using aftermarkets that only last 5 or 6 k.
My .02
 
For something as important as a head gasket i'd only go OEM unless I was pushing massive boost and had a custom one made.

It carefully check out where it popped for sure.
 
The first time it happened, I hadn't the rig for very long and wasn't wise, like I am today. It'll definitely be OEM this time around.

Today I'm just going through and doing some compression checks and marking vacuum hoses and pulling off peripherals. (Un)fortunately, most of them are already marked since the last time.

What other things should I look to replace while in here? I'm going to have my injectors cleaned and even though they were done not too long ago, I'm replacing sparke plug wires, etc. My fluid hoses and vac hoses were replaced about 12k miles ago, so they're good. Any big things to look at replacing?

Eric,
I'll be over in Apex just off of Old Raleigh Road and 64. I'll PM you my cell number. If you want to send me yours, I'll just let you know when I'm headed over and if you can make it, great, if not, no big deal, but I appreciate the offer.

Terry
 
So, today I did dry and wet compression tests on all cylinders and here are the numbers for 1-6, compared to spec value of 149:

Dry Wet
150 150
120 118
135 140
125 125
110 120
145 149

The FSM says that if the values change during wet compression that it is probably the rings. If the values don't change, it's probably the gasket. I know the gasket is blown from the Leak Down test and the values don't seem to change significantly with wet numbers. FSM doesn't give an opinion on how much change is pertinent, so I have a couple of questions:

Is there a further test that can isolate an issue with the rings?
From the numbers, doesn't it make sense that the gasket is blown in the middle?
The cylinder didn't leak at #5, so I'm surprised by it's low values. Cause?
Are the value jumps (or drop for #2, which is also weird) significant enough to consider it a ring issue and if so, what does that entail?

Any other opinions or ideas are appreciated.

Terry
 
Did you actually do a Leak Down test ?

Reason i ask is it will show you ecactly where the air is leaking from. IE if the rings are shot you will here air from the oil cap, exhaust valves then coming from the exhaust .
 
darin, where would you might hear it if it were the head gasket? radiator? oil cap?
 
Leak down test was done on cylinders 6-5-4 and 2. I stopped there because when i did #2, coolant started pushing out of radiator neck and i knew the gasket was blown. 4, 5 and 6 all held pressure load without leaking. That's why i find the compression numbers on 5 to be so strange. My oil looks good, so i believe the break is in the cooling jacket, but i guess i won't know until i get in there.
 
So, for anyone interested, I'll be tearing the engine apart tomorrow in Apex. I'll probably get there at about 3pm or so and work into the evening. I believe Eric may be passing through, so if you want to swing by and see what a 3fe looks like undressed, come see me and have a beer or four.

Address is 3000 Buckinham Way, Apex. My number is 9193061935
 
I just want to thank Eric and Clint for coming out tonight to help me get my engine torn apart.:cheers: We got the head off and tomorrow I'll do some more investigating as to why it's happened. I'll post some pics, too. Nice amount of cottage cheese inside the valve cover.
 
Just a couple tonight, but I'll take some more tomorrow when it's light. There doesn't seem to be any immediate explanation for the HG's demise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom