How to find head gasket leak guide.

**Stav** · 14-09-2007, 06:24 PM

As you know I have lost a crapload of water from my overflow.I suspect a head gasket leak.
So firstly I purchased a test kit called block tester.This is a tube which is filled with a special blue chemical which turns greeny yellow when exhaust gases are found in the radiator overflow bottle of the car. If the test is negative then the car has no head gasket leak. My first photo is of the kit.Then when it is inserted into the overflow bottle.With the engine warm and idling I insert the tube into the mouth if the overflow.At the top of the tube is a rubber siphon .The inserted tip is open with a filter which draws gases through the fluid as bubbles and will change colour if there is combustion gases present. My fluid stayed blue..no head gasket leak...
Then I proceed to get a coolant pressure test kit. This kit basically pressurises the coolant system and forces any intermittent leaking weak spots to leak.

I could not pressurise my system too much as soon enough the ground showed where the leaks were coming from.In my case the radiator is leaking like a sieve.

A new radiator and hoses are on the way!!

sly · 14-09-2007, 06:33 PM

In a way that's good news Stav. Lot easier to replace rad & hoses than a head gasket! Might get into the 13's yet... it'd be easy to put in a set of underdrive pulleys while the radiator's out.

A pressure test can be worth every cent.

InfernoSR · 14-09-2007, 06:43 PM

I am a radiator specialist and am curious about those home kits... we do it ourselves with our gear (liquid stuff), but if the kit iss worth it, we can then recommend it to customers. We currently charge $10 for the gas by-pass test and pressure tests are free.

**Stav** · 14-09-2007, 08:37 PM

My pressure testing kit is a professional testing kit. It cost some 300 dollars 11 years ago. My cap is 120kpa .At 120 kpa the water was leaking like crazy from the radiator in the test.
this is what happened to the block tester at the exhaust.It went yellow in 10 seconds.

InfernoSR · 14-09-2007, 09:24 PM

Looks like the same vacuum chamber as they one we have... we just have a large bottle of the liquid required.

mik · 14-09-2007, 09:38 PM

stav how many k`s did you get out of that radiator just as a matter of interest.

**Stav** · 14-09-2007, 11:09 PM

246000 kays mate. I cant fault it.Countless dyno pulls ,several 1/4 mile runs...

I feel like a minutes silence for my trusty radiator!!

:

mik · 15-09-2007, 10:20 PM

you did well stav, mine did`nt last 100k before it became holy, not really sure why but perhaps its not k`s but the time factor, .........intersting and informative post by the way cheers.

InfernoSR · 15-09-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

you did well stav, mine did`nt last 100k before it became holy, not really sure why but perhaps its not k`s but the time factor, .........intersting and informative post by the way cheers.

From a Natra bulletin i read years ago about the AU suggested that they can be prone to electrolysis and/or stray current corrosion. Your best bet is to switch from aluminium to a better mate brass/copper cored radiator.

**Stav** · 15-09-2007, 10:46 PM

Today I purchased and installed a brand new copper core radiator.It was a bit fiddly as some of my bolts were threaded but its nice to drive along and not smell coolant..

mik · 15-09-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUEPRINT

From a Natra bulletin i read years ago about the AU suggested that they can be prone to electrolysis and/or stray current corrosion. Your best bet is to switch from aluminium to a better mate brass/copper cored radiator.

cheers........

InfernoSR · 16-09-2007, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

cheers........

Your welcome... i'm hear to learn and to share what i know...

InfernoSR · 15-09-2007, 11:10 PM

Thats great to hear mate... and its piece of mind to know they are repairable compaired to aluminium... and dont suffer stray current.