Time for head studs?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Well if I didn't tear it up tonight, (it crossed my mind how ironic it would be to blow the gaskets while trying to test my gaskets) I think I'll be all right for a while. I'll keep monitoring for a while and see if it changes. Thanks for the help!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,890
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A few test drives will not do it (lift the heads). IMO leaking head gaskets is a process that doesn't happen all at once unless it is helped along with very high boost or fluid in the cylinders. It is the nature of TTY bolts to stretch progressively. And afterall - the puking was there before the testing.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
A few test drives will not do it (lift the heads). IMO leaking head gaskets is a process that doesn't happen all at once unless it is helped along with very high boost or fluid in the cylinders. It is the nature of TTY bolts to stretch progressively. And afterall - the puking was there before the testing.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,890
Likes: 3,610
I would at least watch the pressures and learn what causes it to rise past 12 psig and avoid those conditions. When that interferes with the performance you want from the truck, then it is time for head studs. Also would advise at a minimum limiting the boost to 28 psig, That could be sooner rather than later - it just depends on your needs and how much the bolts have yielded. In the meantime, I would locate a reputable repair shop and machine shop and maybe start getting the parts. I would also probably repeat the combustion gas test at least once more. The damage that you want to minimize (that can be caused by a slow leak) is corrosion of the head and block surface. It can also lead to corrosion in the turbo.
You may not want to hear it, but the Edge Juice is not all that friendly with the head bolts and the transmission.
You may not want to hear it, but the Edge Juice is not all that friendly with the head bolts and the transmission.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
I would at least watch the pressures and learn what causes it to rise past 12 psig and avoid those conditions. When that interferes with the performance you want from the truck, then it is time for head studs. Also would advise at a minimum limiting the boost to 28 psig, That could be sooner rather than later - it just depends on your needs and how much the bolts have yielded. In the meantime, I would locate a reputable repair shop and machine shop and maybe start getting the parts. I would also probably repeat the combustion gas test at least once more. The damage that you want to minimize (that can be caused by a slow leak) is corrosion of the head and block surface. It can also lead to corrosion in the turbo.
You may not want to hear it, but the Edge Juice is not all that friendly with the head bolts and the transmission.
You may not want to hear it, but the Edge Juice is not all that friendly with the head bolts and the transmission.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
This is what a lot of folks find - puking only under heavy load. See what happens the next time you are towing - I'm still hoping for you, but your pressures are high without much load on the truck (just crazy driving).
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
I wonder about that: is there really any difference in pressure inside the engine, no load vs heavy load, when the boost is 30 psi? My opinion is that the boost is generating the pressure and the load is not really a factor in comparison. I may be wrong.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,890
Likes: 3,610
Actually the timing plays a big role also. It is the cylinder pressure that lifts heads. High boost can contribute to high cylinder pressures, but not always.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Lakeland, TN
See, I was right about being wrong.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Well, that didn't take long...
Yeah, the plan had been to get studs and an SCT tune and just use the Attitude monitor as just a monitor. Some more data from today: I warmed it up well, let off the pressure, then continued to just drive like I always do. The pressure never went above 1 psi. I spoke with my mechanic today and gave him the same data as I gave last night plus the new data from today. The plan from here is to watch the fluid level in the degas bottle. If the levels don't drop, we'll continue to follow it. If they do, it's stud time. What will make the difference in my opinion, is the next time I hook up to the Bobcat. I suspect that is when it puked and it'll probably do it then again.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,890
Likes: 3,610
Waiting on fixing a head gasket leak causes coolant gelling to be a possibility (if you are using Ford Gold) and it causes corrosion damage on head and block surface to have time to get worse.
It is better to fix it quickly when you see the evidence.
It is better to fix it quickly when you see the evidence.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Thanks. Calling my mechanic Monday.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 854
Likes: 17
From: Florida
To make a long story short, big pool of fluid under the truck, degas bottle dropped an inch in 2 days, degas pressure hits 20 psi in an easy 20 minute drive. It is time for studs. My Tuesday night "test" finished off the gaskets. Though inevitable, I had hoped to make it to spring.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
The test was all the 30 psi boost stuff from the night I hooked the coolant pressure gauge up to test for gasket leaks. The mechanic said $32-3500 for the studs and install. I'm confused about the "custom tunes". Do they get data from your truck to make it truly "custom", is it just custom since it's only available from the particular person who wrote it?
