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Do I need Head Gaskets?

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Old Dec 5, 2009 | 09:11 PM
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Do I need Head Gaskets?


I just completed a compression test on my 1996/7 F250HD 351 and my results are as follows:

1=145, 2=150, 3=145, 4=145, 5=120, 6=150, 7=150, 8=145
I have white smoke and steam coming from the tail pipes that’s why I did the compression test.
What is the diagnosis?
Before this problem I had a bad FPR and it was allowing <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" id=itxt_nobr_2_0>fuel</NOBR> into the #8 cylinder and causing the motor to Hydro lock. <!-- / message --><!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: ad_showthread_firstpost_sig --><!-- END TEMPLATE: ad_showthread_firstpost_sig -->
 
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Old Dec 5, 2009 | 09:13 PM
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I would do a cylinder leak down test next.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2009 | 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Argo
I would do a cylinder leak down test next.
What will a cylinder leak down test tell me that a compression test does not? I have to buy a leak down tester thats why I am asking?
 
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Old Dec 5, 2009 | 10:16 PM
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White smoke / steam is a sign of coolant in the cylinder. Does sound like a head gasket problem, but I'd wait for somebody else to answer your question instead of taking my word for it. It wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong. The white smoke / steam part I'm sure about. The head gasket, probably, but not a 100% guarantee. Thought a head gasket would cause two cylinders next to each other both to be low.
 
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Old Dec 5, 2009 | 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by 1OldFordMan
White smoke / steam is a sign of coolant in the cylinder. Does sound like a head gasket problem, but I'd wait for somebody else to answer your question instead of taking my word for it. It wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong. part I'm sure about. The head gasket, probably, but not a 100% guarantee. Thought a head gasket would cause two cylinders next to each other both to be low.
I thought that at first also... However cant the gasket fail between the water jacket and only one cylinder? If the gasket failed between 2 cylinders I should not have he white smoke / steam. correct?
 
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Old Dec 5, 2009 | 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by qcy2k6
I thought that at first also... However cant the gasket fail between the water jacket and only one cylinder? If the gasket failed between 2 cylinders I should not have he white smoke / steam. correct?
Not sure about that, I'd wait for somebody else to answer that one.
 
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 07:21 AM
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A leakdown test will pump compressed air into the cylinders. This will tell you the leakdown rate of the cylinders. Also, the compressed air will make locating the point of leakage easier. You can look for and listen for compressed air leaking from the intake, exhaust, crankcase, and cooling system. That would help you identify a cylinder head leak, or determine that the coolant is getting into the cylinder by another means (I.E. a leaky intake or EGR cooler plate). If your engine is consuming coolant, but you don't get compressed air bubbles from the cooling system while doing this test, it is likely that something in the intake is your culprit, not the head gasket.
 
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 07:30 AM
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couple of things are you losing coolant also oil in your crankcase also look for white gunk around your dipstick
 
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Argo
A leakdown test will pump compressed air into the cylinders. This will tell you the leakdown rate of the cylinders. Also, the compressed air will make locating the point of leakage easier. You can look for and listen for compressed air leaking from the intake, exhaust, crankcase, and cooling system. That would help you identify a cylinder head leak, or determine that the coolant is getting into the cylinder by another means (I.E. a leaky intake or EGR cooler plate). If your engine is consuming coolant, but you don't get compressed air bubbles from the cooling system while doing this test, it is likely that something in the intake is your culprit, not the head gasket.
Oh... That sounds good I will get one
 
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