Yep!

Got up this A.M. to go to work, and went to start the 94 and it cranked a little and stopped, It sounded like a dead battery, so I checked lights and such... nothing was on. I turn it over again and it fires right up, odd. I pull into my driveway to load some tools, and there is a lot of white smoke coming from the exhaust, odd. I look under the truck and there is coolant pouring out under the truck, odd. I look under it and it is coming from the head, right in fornt of the #1 cylinder. It all started coming together at this point. Yep, hydrolock blew a head gasket! Oh boy!

SO here is a question:

Could a bad radiator cap, build enough pressure in the radiator to cause this. I just put a new Champion radiator in this truck, it came with a pretty champion radiator cap, and I noticed that it seemed to be building up a lot of pressure, but I couldn't really tell. I noticed that the hoses seemed to be pressurized more than my 93's ever were, but it was a new truck, it seemed to be running fine, and it was not running even a little warm, so I didn't think much of it. OOPSIE!

Well anyway, I guess its time for a head gasket job. Supposedly this is a fresh motor from a couple PO's ago, and it sure runs like it, so, should I do just the one gasket, or both? I am going to get the opinion of a recommended diesel mechanic, but I thought I'd throw it out to you guys first. The bottom line is CRAP, I guess I'll be spending a couple more weeks in So Cal. It's a good thing I haven't sold the 93 yet!

 

If it wa me, I would do both as long as you have the engine out. It would just be the extra cost of the other head gasket. Then you would know that all is good.

 

it's always something with these old gal's hey Mac?
OEM radiator cap pressure for 6.9l/7.3l: 13 lbs.

 

Yeah I need to get this one tested! Could a bad cap cause enough pressure to cause hydrolock? it would still need to get into the cylinder some how right? Oh well I've got too much invested to give up at this point! I think I am going to set up in my friends warehouse, pull the motor, do both head gaskets all the gaskets and seals, and steam clean the hell out of the block, because it is a mess! Who knows it might even get a couple rattle cans of gray paint! This sounds like a really good time to put on that Banks downpipe upgrade, and no I did not say sidewinder upgrade LOL

and the hits just keep on coming!

looks like Denver is going to need to wait a little longer!

Maybe by then they'll be done shooting and burning the place up!!!

Mac.

 

It must have just been it's time to die. I can't think that a radiator cap, even if defective, caused a GOOD head gasket to blow. Now, if it were on the verge of going, it might have pushed it over the cliff, but, there is no way even 25 to 30 lbs of pressure would do that to a good one. The radiator, a hose, the heater core, or something would have blown first.

 

I thought the same thing, This thing is supposed to have a fresh rebuild on it though. We all know that tune though don't we!

Oh well,

It's not like I have a lot of options. Gotta get greasy!

 

Did you sell your 93? Cause at least you got a backup if ya didnt!

 

No Quintin,

Thankfully, I still have it. At least that was good fortune! She's clean and purdy too! LOL

Mac.

 

have u check scas

 

It had ELC in it when I bought it, but who knows for how long. I don't think cav. could be the problem, it really ran great before I changed the radiator. It has to be something related. I'll be pulling the motor in about a week.

 

Check injector cups also. ELC on the early 7.3 some times blow the cups. I get this a lot on the powerstoke forum I think these our the same. It had to be something like that to swell the hoses.

Chet

 

I've never heard this, What am I looking for? Will it be evident when the heads are off?

 

Easier when off. Check for cracks. If your coolant is okay, no diesel in it, they are probably okay. Check close. I know in mine, I have an e99 stroke, you can't use ELC till late 2000. They changed the type of sealant for the cups. But still cracked cups do happen. Just a thought while they are off. Cups are cheap and Clay from Riffraff will lend the tools to change them.
Chet

 

The IDIs don't have these type of injector cups. The strokes have a brass cup the injectors set in. Two intirely different set ups.

 

Okay thanks for the information. I thought the 7.3's used the same injectors so there for used the same cups. My mistake,

Chet