Water Loss
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 334
Likes: 4
Water Loss
I am losing water, but can't figure out where it is going. The oil is clean, and the exhaust is clean. No visible leaks, and no overflow. Engine rebuilt 3 years ago with 40K on the motor since..Had to replace one head at that time. Runs good. I would think that there would be telltale signs if I had a cracked head/block problem, but maybe not. I heard about a test where you install a radiator pressure tester on the radiator; set the pressure to the required pounds, and then crank the motor up. If the pressure increases, then you have an internal leak like heads or block. I think I will try this test. It loses about a quart if I drive it during a normal day. Seems like I should see something for that amount of water loss. I have a 1989 BII with a 2.9 motor. Is there any history of bad intake gaskets on these motors (wishfull thinking)?? Any help would be appreciated. It is very discouraging, because I was very carefull when doing the rebuild. Everything nice and clean and powder coated. Followed all the torque specs, replaced lifters, pump, primed, etc...I guess I am done rambling. Cheers..
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Do the pressure test and examine the whole system very carefully for external leaks. If you get a pressure rise when you rev it up, that is a certain combustion leak and in that case the coolant loss is going out through the overflow.
If you find no external leaks and no pressure rise with the pressure test then the head gasket may still be leaking. But, in this case it would be a piston drawing in coolant on the intake stroke through a flaw in the head gasket. On the power stroke the pressure on the gasket actually pushes it back and it does not leak. Sort of a check valve action, and not all that rare.
If you find no external leaks and no pressure rise with the pressure test then the head gasket may still be leaking. But, in this case it would be a piston drawing in coolant on the intake stroke through a flaw in the head gasket. On the power stroke the pressure on the gasket actually pushes it back and it does not leak. Sort of a check valve action, and not all that rare.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Originally Posted by mechmagcn
You more than likely have a head cracked into the exhaust port. During the time when I ran a BII and a Ranger P/U both with 2.9s I replaced 4 heads that were cracked this way.
Jeff
Jeff
