The PHH got me!

[concretejungle]

On my way to work this morning and noticed that the back glass of the cruiser was wet!? I was like WTF! It wasn't raining, and the roads weren't wet......about that time i noticed the temp gauge climbing so i pulled over to the side of the road just as it reached the red mark, popped the hood and the sucker was steaming like crazy. My sis came and met me with like 5 gallons of water. I filled her up, turned the heat on max and started limping back to the garage. Had to stop about 5 times to keep the guage from maxing out and to add more water. What a pain in the ass! Took a friend and i about 3 hours to replace that dang thing....not including the $30 in toy red coolant. At least it's done now! Funny thing is that i had just bought the prestone coolant flush kit to flush my coolant. I guess i don't need that now since i ran about 8 - 10 gallons of water through it.

 

[Bryan E.]

Wow! Sounds like a really close call. I would keep an eye on the oil to make sure you don't get water in the oil or other signs of warped head or ruined head gasket. I hope all you got was a close call, and all is well.

Bryan

 

[concretejungle]

That's just what i was thinking abou the oil. I'm only about 1500 miles from the next oil change. Just might have to do it a bit early.

I don't think it was hot long enough to warp the head.......at least i hope!!! Just before the needle would hit the hot (red) mark i would pull over and shut her off, lift the hood, let her cool down and add more water.

 

[cruiserdan]

Monitor the head gasket very closely.



Footnote: I recommend that any cooling system failure be repaired BEFORE re-starting the engine. Running the engine before fixing a cooling system failure such as this seems to deal a death-blow to the head gasket.

 

[MoJ]

C-Dan -

What signs would you look for when "monitoring" the head gasket. Thinking white exhaust smoke, coolant in the oil, oil in the coolant, anything else?
Gotta find time to replace the PHH before it goes.

 

[cruiserdan]

C-Dan -

What signs would you look for when "monitoring" the head gasket. Thinking white exhaust smoke, coolant in the oil, oil in the coolant, anything else?
Gotta find time to replace the PHH before it goes.

Yes to all of the above. Add to that external coolant leaks on the block at the block-to-head junction and the Robbie bubbles-in-the-overflow-jar test.

 

[Scamper]

I can personally attest to the cautions noted here...I drove the truck while never reaching the red zone and despite that, the head ended up warping. I don't recall who, but there have been posts on several occaisions that stressed the fact that the temp gauge on our trucks is not linear--the difference between "near the red" and "normal/mid" gauge readings are quite significant. So while you may not have hit the red, you were probably close or exceeding 220F on the hit parade.

Sorry to hear you had this happen...

 

[IdahoDoug]

Sorry to sound harsh, but continuing to drive it was really risky and a poor choice. I don't know how far from home it was or what a tow costs in your area but personally I'd never drive a vehicle that clearly had a cooling issue. She's in trouble - tow her home.


DougM

 

[lurker]

I can personally attest to the cautions noted here...I drove the truck while never reaching the red zone and despite that, the head ended up warping. I don't recall who, but there have been posts on several occaisions that stressed the fact that the temp gauge on our trucks is not linear--the difference between "near the red" and "normal/mid" gauge readings are quite significant. So while you may not have hit the red, you were probably close or exceeding 220F on the hit parade.

Sorry to hear you had this happen...

Has anyone found a way to measure the temp linearly(sp), as in a different temp guage or some sort of resistor trick?

 

[Scamper]

Yup...just put a real temp gauge on 'er.

 

[erics_bruisers]

shoot -- I can't get the link under the FAQs to work on this -- anyone have the linkie??

thx --

e

 

[concretejungle]

I understand the concern. Trust me i had butterflies in my stomach the entire time thinking of headgasket cancer! It's just with the time constraints and the fact that it's my DD, i had to get it fixed fast. From where i was on the side of the highway to the garage was only 15 miles. I just felt that towing was not a feasable option at the time. I realize the possible concequences of my action, and hopefully no warped heads or anything will result. Besides, if so everyone can learn from my mistakes!

 

[lurker]

Yup...just put a real temp gauge on 'er.

Mr. Scamper,

Did you just unwire the stock one for the after market one?

thanks

 

[Scamper]

Mr. Scamper,

Did you just unwire the stock one for the after market one?

thanks

Hmmmm...I've been elevated to a "Mr." Sure hope you're saying that with the appropriate level of respect I deserve Does that entitle me to some stars by my name?!

Actually, I have not installed a real temp gauge since I don't think it's really necessary. IMO, if the needle even thinks about going past the "normal" position, I'll pull over and call AAA.

But to answer your question, I wouldn't replace the old gauge, I'd simply add a new temp gauge and wire it seperately from the stock gauge. You can put a few gauges on the A-pillar without much trouble.

 

[alaskacruiser]

concretejungle- how many miles on your rig?

 

[concretejungle]

150,000

 

[robbie]

You stop about 5 time with the needle near the red mark and I believe that you will have some damage to the already marginal old head gasket. Before you take any trip I would take the time to do it. Did you happen to take a compression reading before running it again? I would do that at the next time you can make time to do it. Check the sides of the block to head mating surface and look at the junction. If any where you see a dark red line you have compromized the head gasket. Any time the needle moves past the normal range it is 230 or better. if you are close to the red mark you are closer to 260 F. Check for little bubbles in the overflow tank with the engine reved to over 3000-3500rpm's, if you find them you have lost the head gasket. later robbie

 

[concretejungle]

thanks for the info robbie. Trust me, i didn't sleep last night thinking about this. It seems like everyone here really thinks i've screwed the pooch on this one. I guess i should clarify a bit, the needle only reached red the first time. After that, as soon as the needle started climbing past mid i would pull over, shut off, and pop the hood. Now in hind-sight i thought at the time that it was too expensive to have it towed to the shop, but i guess a new head gasket will cost more than a tow.

I will definately keep an eye on the the oil and look for bubbles in the overflow. I was thinking that a compression test would not be a very reliable way of telling if the head gasket has been compromised. What if one of my cyclinders has some wear or a valve. I'm not sure how to tell the difference between a head gasket leaking or worn-out valves or pistons with a compression test.

Robbie are you saying that i should go ahead and replace the head gasket?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

"Any time the needle moves past the normal range it is 230 or better. if you are close to the red mark you are closer to 260 F"

Robbie is dead on with the above statement. About 5000 miles ago I installed an aftermarket temp gauge and found that the oem gauge is worthless. With water temp in the 225-230 range (a/c cut off range) the oem gauge shows normal. Anyone with heat concerns should install a gauge asap.

Phil

 

[landtank]

If you plan on using your truck for anything more than getting some beer at the local packy then I'd do the HG if it's within your ability. My truck had no overheating issues that I can tell and when the gasket came out the #6 sealing ring was compromised.