BoarX wrote:
flash7210, GordnadoCRD, thanks guys!
GordnadoCRD, theoretically I totally agree with you on the leak behavior. What I am trying to do is to make sure that I indeed have a blown gasket before spending big $$$ on the replacement parts.
I understand, but if you have combustion gasses getting into coolant, that's either a failed head gasket or a cracked head. If it were a split liner (the only other possibility) your symptoms would be far more extreme. Those are really the only possibilities, and either way, the head comes off.
BoarX wrote:
By the way, has anyone tried any kind of snake oil head gasket repair stuff on this engine? Not as a permanent solution of course, but as a way to keep the vehicle drivable before I get all the parts and a long weekend to fix everything the right way?
Thanks!
A.
My past experiences with that kind of patch, I would only use it as a very very last resort to get the vehicle within towing distance. Usually they cause more problems and expense than they solve. I would expect problems later with Radiator, Heater Core, Water Pump, Thermostat, oil cooler etc. Pretty much anything the stuff touches will add insulation and reduce thermal transfer, as well as set up in, and block off radiator and heater core passages.
From the sounds of things, it's not gotten so severe as to rupture anything coolant related as it is, but if you do drive it, use proper coolant mix, and drive carefully and with a vented cap so the extra air can escape, and be really really easy on it so you don't boil the coolant.