OK..... I have a problem

So, spent a bit of time on the dyno on Sunday, the last run the Zed pushed a bit of coolant out, maybe a couple of hundred mil or so, didnt think too much of it as I knew the over flow has a small hole in it.

Temp gauge and ECU temp was not reading high and also checked temp with one of those infer red/ laser temp things in various locations in and around the engine bay, and nothing out of the ordinary.

Left their and drove home, approx 15ks, got home and it seemed to be gurgling a bit, for maybe 30 seconds after turning it off.

I had planned to do an oil change so checked the oil, didn't seem to have coolant in it, dumped the oil and took the filter off then realised I didn't have a replacement filter, everything was closed so couldn't get one until the following day.

Anyway, forgot to put the sump plug back in as I walked away in a huff and today when I went back out to the shed, I noticed what remaining oil dropped out onto the shed floor looked milky.

So, what are we looking at here? Head gasket failure? They are Cometic BTW.

Do I do a leak down test?

What's people's thoughts?

Cheers.
Col

 

And a leak down test with the rad cap off. If you see bubbles, cry

 

Cracked?

 

Not necessarily cracked, more likely head gasket failure, regardless engine out and dismantle time

 

OK guys thanks.
I'm really hoping it's "only" the head gasket and not a cracked head.

TK test? That's new to me.

And what components do I need to get to build a leak down tester?

Cheers

 

Great thanks Rob.
Fingers crossed mate, see how I go.

 

Has anyone used the Toledo combustion gas leakage test kit from Supercheap? PN 304000?

 

Blown H/Gasket?(x2), Cracked Cylinder Head?(x2),Cracked Engine Block? GOOD LUCK!

 

Ever helpful Chili lol

Leak Down Tester, just buy a cheap ebay one. You'll need an air compressor. It'll take you a good day to figure out how to use it properly. I ended up modifying mine to get it to work consistently.

TK tester. I have one similar to the SC one, tbh they're a pain in the arse to use. Again a fair bit of a learning curve to figure out how to get a reliable result.

Or ring a mobile mechanic. Make sure you confirm they have both on board. Half the mechanics out there probably don't even know what they are lol.

 

I can "Sugar-coat it", or
I can "tell it like it is".....
CHOOSE ONE!!!

 

I think I'll buy my own TK tester as a start and go from their.
Always like to have a crack at doing things myself, and that way I have it their if it's ever needed in the future.

I tend to agree, a lot of mobile mechanics probably wouldn't know what your on about if asked.

 

If you are concerned about head gasket issues, cracked cylinder heads, damaged pistons/rings then conduct an engine compression test.
You can buy a decent compression gauge for about $80.00 that will last a lifetime for the DIY car owners.
If you have short arms & deep pockets, you can get one for about $30.00.
Leak Down Testers are a more accurate means of obtaining compression results & performing diagnostics, but are a pain to use, as the test on each cylinder must be conducted with the piston at TDC with the intake & exhaust valves closed.

 

Compression test isn't really going to help you diagnose a leaking head gasket. All it will tell you is one or more cylinders is down a little on compression. A small leak from a head gasket may not even be noticeable.

Leak down test on the other hand helps you diagnose exactly where leakage occurs. In the case of a head gasket, if you start seeing bubbles coming through the radiator, you know there is a problem with the head gasket or crack at that cylinder.

TK test will tell you if exhaust gases are mixing with the coolant. This doesn't pickup all possible head gasket leaks.

I'd be starting with a leak down test myself.

Also OP mentioned the head gaskets are Cometic, so have been replaced at some point. I'd also be removing the rocker covers and checking the torque settings on the head bolts.

 

Thanks guys.
All good advice.
I think owning a TK test kit and leak down tester will be used again at some stage so might bite the bullet and buy both.
Do those tests and go from their.
Thanks again.
Col

 

The best part about this is its in the shed ready to work on.
Good luck As not stuck on road side.

 

Have you checked the coolant overflow hose to see if it's not blocked?
The small 4mm hose from the radiator cap area that runs down to it?

If they gets blocked guess what happens to coolant ?

As for the oil it sounds like that's external to the engine if it was sitting there all night in the elements

 

Well we do need to look at the positives....and that's definitely one of them

 

Hey Procky, yeah mate I did check that overflow hose and it was not blocked...unfortunately.
I so hope your right about the oil.