Yes, Dave, a head gasket or crack can allow water to get directly from the coolant to the combustion chamber, become part of the combustion process and go out the tail pipe. Sometimes water in the combustion chamber will cause a miss, sometimes no.

 

A head gasket leak that isn't real bad (yet) can also allow pressure from combustion to leak into the cooling jacket, forcing water out of the overflow. With a non-pressure system, I would guess that's more likely than water leaking into the crankcase. Water can also get sucked into the combustion chamber on the intake stroke.

Hard to say if the whole cooling system is dirty, or just that cap.

 

Ok - now what is best course of action? Do I pull the head? Do I do the bucket test first and then let you guys know the outcome? I bet you both just love being my go to mechanics via long distance. I guess you could say at least you are having input to some one who is at least listening and thankful for your help. I do appreciate your help and knowledge. dls

 

Lets pull each plug, lay them out in a line as they came out. Post detailed pictures of these plugs and we'll see if we can see anything. IMO, it is too early to pull the head just yet.
See what Ross thinks.
IMO, we need to determine where the water is going.

 

By all means do the catch-can, and pull the plugs. If it's coming out the overflow, I would think it would leave a noticeable puddle in your driveway, just idling. Maybe it takes the higher pressures of driving.

 

Thanks Ray. Will do it hopefully within the hour. Dls

 

Left to right 1-6 #3 is black 4 is dark. 1,2,5&6 are grey. It does burn a little oil

 

Pics of plugs

 

The ends appear to be running a bit lean, normal for a center fed long engine. I was looking for one or more plugs being significantly different in appearance. In lieu of a bore scope, can you look down each cylinder, looking for anything unusual? A coolant leak may or may not show up in a cylinder.

 

I can give that a try. I'll have to take engine compartment side off - no big deal- but I don't want my fat a$$ to bend them. I'll let you know - most likely tomorrow morning as the boss has us going out for something tonight.
Thanks Ray I appreciate the help. Dls

 

That whitish appearance on the end plugs could well be from water. Cylinders with water intrusion look cleaner than normal ("steam cleaned").

It just occurred to me, we haven't suggested a compression test!

 

Ross - shows you what I know - I thought 3 & 4 would be the problem -- the 1,2,5 &6 are really grey. I'll see if I can see anything in the cyclinders but don't really know wht I'm looking for. I'll let you know dls

 

R & R O R S (Ray & Ross Online Repair Shop)
Climbed up on the engine and tried to look into the cyclinders -(that had to be a sight!) and with my progressive lens glassses saw absolutely nothing!
Put the plugs back in (cleaned and regapped first) filled the raditor, hooked up the overflow hose to a bucket, started it and waited. The temp gage climb to 180 after a long time (just at an idle so understandable) climbed a little higher and the therm opened as temp went back down and water appeared in the bucket! I gave it some gas and very quickly the water turned to steam (most likely why I could not see it while driving).
So R & R what do I do next - Water pump? head gasket? or ??????
Thanks Ray & Ross I appreciate your help.

 

How much water did it throw into the bucket, Dave? Ross mentioned a compression test. Do you have a gauge?

 

About a half gallon. I turned it off and it stopped very quickly. I have a guage in a box or can get one. I doubt it's compression only because it runs so smoothly and I was doing 60 mph when it first happened ( the temp gauge going up) and still had more power if that means anything. I can give it a try.