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head gasket ?

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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 12:51 AM
  #1  
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Question head gasket ?

I have a 95 f150 w/5.8l my question is this. I noticed coolant coming out through the bolt holes on driver side head. am i screwed
so far the truck runs fine is not burning the green stuff
thanks for any thoughts.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 09:22 AM
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I assume you ment the head bolts? if so you need to cleen things off and triple check. If there is coolant leaking from the bolts yes you got a problem, but lets see if that is what's happening and how bad, does it use coolant?
 
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 09:45 AM
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Can you even see the head bolts with the valve covers on?

I'm thinking intake manifold bolts, but I have to ask....

Coolant in oil?
 
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 11:19 AM
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From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA
were the heads off? I assume you mean the outboard bolts which are easily visible.

If so and the bolts extend into the cooling then someone put it together with little or no sealant.

If not, then the gasket is failing to the outside (better than to the inside) but if you see green anywhere on a motor not called 'water pump' or 'thermostat housing' then some 'engine' work is gonna be involved.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 08:23 PM
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yes the outboard head bolt's, driver's side
no coolant in oil,hasn't been burning the coolant either
the motor has not been touch since leaving ford has had tuneups a few times though, 155000 miles
does use coolant because the water pump gasket weep's in the winter months
then notice head bolts starting to weep
are the head bolts exposed to coolant?
 
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 08:33 PM
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Its been a while..is the throttle body leaking coolant?.I don't know if your TB even has coolant running thru.
Check all hoses carefully first. Weeping coolant is hard to pinpoint. White napkins tend to show the dyed fluids better than dirty rags or colored rags.
The reservoir should be checked daily: if the radiator cap is functioning, and the reservoir and overflow hose are in good shape, changes in coolant level are usually spotted there first.
No, u r not doomed if da head gasket is leaking, leaks can go on for years without serious breakdowns. If however the coolant system runs low, u risk toasting the engine.
If indeed coolant can escape to the crankcase( into the oil) somehow, the engine internal parts, crank, bearings, etc. will wear down much sooner than expected.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 08:47 PM
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If you do have this kind of problem I got some weird advice. Damage your radiator cap, if you remove the caps ability to hold pressure in the system it will leak less and all but eliminate any chance of coolant filling a cylinder or oil pan one night.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 08:59 PM
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Wierd advice for sure. Oil pan will be fine, but coolant will boil. Boiling coolant can't accept anymore heat transfer from block. if you recall physics 1A..once a cup of water starts boiling at 100C/212F it stays at exactly the same temperature, until the fluid is evaporated to a gas state. Same with ice water...a cup of ice water will not read anything other than 0C/32F until all the ice is melted, or all the water is frozen

Coolant is left at 13 psi to keep it from boiling at 212F .
The higher the pressure of a liquid the higher the boiling point. Once a fluid boils you are risking engine damage.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 09:11 PM
  #9  
fe8u's Avatar
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postive on the water pump gasket weeping not to worried about that
head gasket has me thinking though
so are the head bolts exposed to coolant in the block like darn sbc
thanks again
 
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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 09:15 PM
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From: Renton, WA
Originally Posted by 924x2150
Wierd advice for sure. Oil pan will be fine, but coolant will boil. Boiling coolant can't accept anymore heat transfer from block. if you recall physics 1A..once a cup of water starts boiling at 100C/212F it stays at exactly the same temperature, until the fluid is evaporated to a gas state. Same with ice water...a cup of ice water will not read anything other than 0C/32F until all the ice is melted, or all the water is frozen

Coolant is left at 13 psi to keep it from boiling at 212F .
The higher the pressure of a liquid the higher the boiling point. Once a fluid boils you are risking engine damage.
True but unless his engine is running hot it won't reach the 212 deg needed to boil. Just an option to try and avoid further damage so he can drive it for while this winter.
 
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