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(RESOLVED) CAR OVERHEATED..I PULLED THE HEAD..PICS

The upper hose is really hot and fat once the engine is warm. It almost seems like it might burst. I fill the radiator with water and cap it off with a new cap. It stays cool for a little while but eventually all the water evaporates, and the car starts to overheat. Help!

Update. See the last slide
 
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O I forgot to mention the thermostat was removed the first time it over heated and so was the hose. I don't see anything leaking.
 
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mpt72

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 17, 2010
Messages
235
Location
ridgecrest, ca
The excess pressure shouldn't cause your hoses to expand that much if it was just a water pump. However, forcing pressure (compression) into the cooling system would cause the hoses to expand. Or your hoses are twenty years old...
 

SouthCaliVR4

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Joined
Jul 31, 2010
Messages
984
Location
North county San Diego
napa has a chem test kit. its a tube with a bulb & you draw the gases from the open rad cap through a fluid that will change color in the presence of hydrocarbons. the only way for hydrocarbons to get into the cooling system is a blown head gasket, cracked head or block. you can do this with a gas analyzer as well but good luck finding someone willing to risk sucking fluid into their gas analyzer.

other way to do it, use a cooling system pressure tester, pressurise the system pull the spark plugs & let it sit for a while. if fluid accumulates in any cylinder, you have found the problem. Since the combustion chamber is a much higher pressure than the cooling system can take this method sometimes won't show a problem even though it's there.

yet another way, use a cylinder leak down tester or air hold fitting. pressurise each cyl & look for bubbles in the cooling system.

when you pull the plugs look for one that is way cleaner than the others, another indicator but again not conclusive.
 

Thanks everyone for your input and help. This blows. I guess I was in denial I also saw some white smoke coming out of my tailpipe.

Ok, so what head gasket kit should I get now. Also should I replace anything else other then timing belt water pump? Do I have to have the block removed to check if the head is ok, or is there anyway I can check myself?

This is going to be my first time taring down a motor. I have done smaller jobs like clutch replacement, differential replacement...never anything like this...I'm doing a epic search or the best help online (dsm forum, and here) I will be sure to post what I find.
 
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pauleyman

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2011
Messages
91
Location
Oklahoma City, OK
This is no different than any other repair. It's procedural and those procedures are well documented in the factory manuals. If you want to go beyond that then seeking the advice of those here or your local machine shop are advised. Surface treatment, types of gaskets etc all come into play. I would be more concerned about what caused the problem and fix the root cause. You put in a new motor and then find out you had a clogged radiator would suck. Head gaskets don't fail just for spite. Did the car overheat? Do you think you've pushed it too hard? Previous repair done poorly?
 

yea I burped it, the water level in the radiator went down. Yet as soon as I capped the radiator the top hose started to expand dramatically. I do remember seeing white smoke. The car doesn't pull as hard as it used too, It will backfire mid pull and whatever.

So how do I go about selecting the thickness of a head gasket. I'm finding it difficult to find all the information about this on one page.
 
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asmo

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 28, 2009
Messages
87
Location
SLC, Ut
As far as choosing one, The stock ones are good for most cars, and the mitsu MLS gaskets are good for 20+ psi cars.
here is good write up on changing one.
changing head gasket
 

That is an amazing head gasket write up.. thanks

Can I get a few more confirmations before I tare this thing down. The white smoke, overheating and upper hose pressure is good enough reason to rebuild this thing.

How long should I burp the system for?
 
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talontyme

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2009
Messages
329
Location
Portsmouth,VA.
Your symptoms say head gasket and really the best way to tell is to do a coolant pressure test or a leak down test. We can sit here and guess for you but really to get a definite answer you need to test the system.
 

just pulled the head what do yall think? You can click on the image to make larger.






 
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Terry Posten

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Messages
9,009
Location
Davenport, Iowa USA
Looks like #1 is the culprit. Look at the water passage on the lower right hole and it sure does look like the gasket material is blown away right up to the metal sealing ring.

Take a few pics as close to the head as possible for each cylinder and the surrounding water/oil passages. Then remove the gasket and snap another one of just the gasket.

Sure looks to me like the gasket has been blown away in that spot.
 

BrandonEchols

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 18, 2010
Messages
793
Location
Anchorage, AK
You've already pulled the head, might as well spend the money on a new gasket.
 

citymunky

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Joined
Sep 22, 2010
Messages
1,761
Location
Chesapeake, VA
A metal gasket, that is.
 
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