Testing Head Gasket
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
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Testing Head Gasket
What is the best way to test the head gasket, I have always known that you pull the spark plugs on an engine (glow plugs in this case) and put a compression tester on each cylinder and turn it over. I found this video
Which he is watching the pressure in the coolant system for diagnose head gasket issue?
2 questions
1. Why with a bad head gasket does the pressure rise, i would think that it is be low seeing that it is not sealed
2. What should a normal pressure be. he says in the video you don't want to see it above 15psi but what should good head gaskets pressure be?
Thanks
Mike
Which he is watching the pressure in the coolant system for diagnose head gasket issue?
2 questions
1. Why with a bad head gasket does the pressure rise, i would think that it is be low seeing that it is not sealed
2. What should a normal pressure be. he says in the video you don't want to see it above 15psi but what should good head gaskets pressure be?
Thanks
Mike
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 269
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From: Albuquerque, NM
This is something I'd be interested in learning too.
Sorry I don't have an answer to contribute to the discussion, but I do have a question that I think is relevant.....
What about the blue liquid testing devices that check for CO2 in the coolant system? Is that method accurate and reliable to determine head gasket issues?
Sorry I don't have an answer to contribute to the discussion, but I do have a question that I think is relevant.....
What about the blue liquid testing devices that check for CO2 in the coolant system? Is that method accurate and reliable to determine head gasket issues?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
Likes: 35
From: N. Fort Worth, tx
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...9-08-03-a.html
Heres is some info on the subject. Failed head gaskets are misdiagnosed more then anything else, people uneducated in the process and lazy techs are the biggist issues in misdiagnosis.
Heres is some info on the subject. Failed head gaskets are misdiagnosed more then anything else, people uneducated in the process and lazy techs are the biggist issues in misdiagnosis.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM
Thanks for the info cheezit,
So then...would it be fair to say....
If you're seeing occasional white smoke, you pull the EGR valve and it's dry. ECT/EOT deltas are within 5°-8°, no noticable or significant coolant loss or puking, and the blue liquid CO2 test shows positive, would it be conclusive to rule out egr cooler and assume head gaskets?
So then...would it be fair to say....
If you're seeing occasional white smoke, you pull the EGR valve and it's dry. ECT/EOT deltas are within 5°-8°, no noticable or significant coolant loss or puking, and the blue liquid CO2 test shows positive, would it be conclusive to rule out egr cooler and assume head gaskets?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
Dye testing
A couple of things to keep in mind with this type of test.
1. There are 2 fluids one for gas engines one for diesels. The gas fluid will often show false positive.
2. Keep from getting any coolant on or in the test sample again gives a false positive.
Your original complaint was white smoke. Excessive diesel burning in the exhaust will cause white smoke also.
1. There are 2 fluids one for gas engines one for diesels. The gas fluid will often show false positive.
2. Keep from getting any coolant on or in the test sample again gives a false positive.
Your original complaint was white smoke. Excessive diesel burning in the exhaust will cause white smoke also.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
Likes: 35
From: N. Fort Worth, tx
Thanks for the info cheezit,
So then...would it be fair to say....
If you're seeing occasional white smoke, you pull the EGR valve and it's dry. ECT/EOT deltas are within 5°-8°, no noticable or significant coolant loss or puking, and the blue liquid CO2 test shows positive, would it be conclusive to rule out egr cooler and assume head gaskets?
So then...would it be fair to say....
If you're seeing occasional white smoke, you pull the EGR valve and it's dry. ECT/EOT deltas are within 5°-8°, no noticable or significant coolant loss or puking, and the blue liquid CO2 test shows positive, would it be conclusive to rule out egr cooler and assume head gaskets?
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