[WhiteSEC560]

I'm beginning to think more and more that my coolant issue is head gaskets, but before I rip hald the engine off I have some questions:

1. What are some determining factors or telltale signs that a head gasket has failed?

2. Should I even try to do this myself or bite the bullet and let a shop do it (I have built performance engine before - Chevrolets though)

3. In regards to my coolant issue, I changed the pressure capm on the coolant bottle from the high pressure mercedes cap to a generic 7lb light cap. This has improved the amount of coolant loss under normal conditions, is this a sign of gasket failure or another problem in the cooling system?

Thanks much,

Dan

 

[WhiteSEC560]

as an addition to my questions, my car only has 112,000 miles on it, is that a little low to need head gaskets?

 

[jhodg5ck]

A couple things, changing the cap to prevent coolant loss seems like a band aid/treating of the symptom rather then root of the problem.

It's not hard to test, have a shop w/ the correct pressure tester pump the system up to about a bar of pressure and see if it drops. A thorough inspection will tell you where the fluid is going.

You need a few special/specific tools to do the work but it is doable. My machinist isn't far so you can have the valve guides etc done there.

As for the time frame, this isn't totally out of the question if the car had the wrong coolant used or if she was ever overheated.

Jonathan

 

[John Rose65]

G'day Dan,
Jonathan is right, you really should have a pressure test done.

However to answer your questions, one way to tell if you have a blown head gasket is to check your exhaust tips for any sign of steam & moisture. It is usually a good indicator of coolant leaking into a cylinder bore.

Replacing the head-gaskets yourself is no big deal but you should replace the head bolts at the same time.

If you have blown a gasket there's a possibility the head may may have a slight warp in it & should be checked by a head shop.

Good luck, hope all works out well

J R

 

[WhiteSEC560]

Thanks alot , I think that about clinches it on startup I have a slight miosture drip coming out the tailpipes, doesn't smell like coolant or look like it but oh well.

To respond to Jhodg5ck, that the strangest thing it didn't overheat and I didn't put incorrect coolant in, it was due for an oil change been about 2500 miles since the last and the coolant light just popped on, I didn't notice a single other symptom, including a tempature spike, just odd....

 

[284037]

Did you see any coolant in the oil?

 

[NordRhein]

Milky oil is a better indicator since burning gasoline produces gobs of water and if not warmed up will dribble out the tailpipe. If you pay attention to cars in front of you while driving you will occasionally see a car spritz water out the tailpipe. Leaks from the cylinder to the water jacket (during high cylinder pressure) will create bubbles in the coolant.

 

[WhiteSEC560]

Oil was changed on Thursday (5/17) and was nice and black, nothing in it now either, still fresh. Still losing collant at an alarming rate. A 15 minute drive and the low level light will appear, as soon as the car is turned off , I can pop the hood and watch the bottle refill (a little less everytime) it seems like it isn't circulating through the system and getting boiled off , even though my temperature gauge doesn't indicate anything abnormal.

 

[284037]

Check your washer fluid reservoir if any antifreez went in there. Do you smell antifreez anywhere? Check your monovalve. Of course check your radiator. Once I had a radiator leak from the top where the metal meets the plastic.

You got to take your time.

 

[Brendan]

leak near #2 injector?

I was thinking I had a head gasket leak on my 1986 300SDL until I read this thread. Thanks to your suggestions I may have saved myself a whole bunch of work.
Now the question...what would cause an air leak at the base of the #2 injector? Its not fuel leaking, but air. I can pour some water on the base of the injector and it blows it up in a pulsing spray. Is there an injector seal that can go bad? Or am I back to a head gasket replacement? Thanks for your help.

 

[lander91]

Check your washer fluid reservoir if any antifreez went in there. Do you smell antifreez anywhere? Check your monovalve. Of course check your radiator. Once I had a radiator leak from the top where the metal meets the plastic.

You got to take your time.

I think there is a point with checking the monovalve area, the rubber piping around the monovalve assembly could be leaking, that water will travel down the bottom of the bulkhead and out the drain holes in the rear of the front wheel arches, have you checked this area for signs??

 

[xavierorr]

if you lose that much coolant in a 15 minute drive, it is less likely to be a head gasket leak. In my experience a leaking head gasket will consume coolant at a much slower rate, perhaps having to top up the coolant every 2 weeks or more.

I would start checking all hoses, especially those at the back of the engine leading into the firewall & cabin as they are less obvious when you are looking down at the engine with the hood open. also a cracked heater core (inside the car) could be the culprit, check around the floor in front of the seats for moisture.