Running Engine with Blown Head Gasket...

[jaymar]

Sorry for your troubles!!

It sounds like you had your mind made up before you posted.

If you have been running water and you park it you can end up with rust in the cylinders.

$ 3500.00 is going to be on the low side in today’s market and on the west coast.

Could probably sell it for what you paid for it even with the blow HG in today’s market.
And buy a more practical DD.
Especially if you are a one car household.

I'll drive an LC or walk.

 

[jaymar]

Strangely, the misfire code hasn't shown up for a while now. Presumably that means it's no longer misfiring. Is it possible that only happens under load? Or that the leak in the HG has been plugged? Keep in mind, I "assume" blown HG because of fuel smell in radiator, which showed up about the same time as the misfire on #1. Can't think of another way to get fuel in the radiator. I've also had some oil show up on the bolt heads near the front of the valve cover (bolts were tight.) Most hoses were replaced in the last few years.

 

[clx16]

Just adding a thought...consider another engine and swapping as an option. Not sure the price on used engines but one that you can do a leak down and compression test might be cheaper and faster.

Of course you might introduce new and and exciting other issues

If funds are too tight i would consider headgasket in a can and then revisit the engine swap and future headgasket options presented above.

Have you considered biking? Good for your health and and wallet.

 

[jaymar]

Keep in mind you won't always see the chocolate milkshake, even when the gasket is totally blown. The only symptoms on the vid below were a rough idle, and a "steamcleaned" piston with visible coolant seepage into the cylinder with a stethoscope.

Man that was a real education. Last time I was rebuilding engines was in the late 90s, and the engines were from the 70s. Look inside the bore with a camera? At home? Forget it. Thanks!

 

[jaymar]

Just adding a thought...consider another engine and swapping as an option. Not sure the price on used engines but one that you can do a leak down and compression test might be cheaper and faster.

Of course you might introduce new and and exciting other issues

If funds are too tight i would consider headgasket in a can and then revisit the engine swap and future headgasket options presented above.

Have you considered biking? Good for your health and and wallet.

Given the prices I'm seeing on rebuild work, I'm thinking I can find a junker for the same or less, work the head etc. as funds allow. Less downtime on the DD (assuming it continues to drive), and spare parts galore. I like the idea of putting a camera in the bores to see what's going on. Peek at the bottom end too. Never occurred to me until @Ozark80's video post...

 

[Broski]

I'll drive a LC or walk.

I appreciate the dedication, some walking may be involved