ok, lets try some help here too!

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Mar 31, 2010 | 05:09 PM

#16

Moto Mel

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From: Chesapeake, Va.

RedNeck Leak down test

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04markIII

that's where i'm leaning right now, esp based on my last post. still waiting to get the leakdown down to know for sure. hopefully next weekend. if it is a blown gasket, i'm having both replaced...the engine has to come out anyways.

You could just use a screw in compression tester like a SnapOn where the gage is seperate and take the shrade valve out, then just put about 185 psi or more compressed air to the suspected cylinder then watch for bubbles in the Degasse bottle. First bring the piston to TDC, at that time you could listen for air escaping to the valve cover/breather/oil fill tube indicating bad rings, Intake = bad int. valve, tail pipe = bad ex. valve.
That is the Low Buck or RedNeck Leak down test. Fast and cheap.

Mar 31, 2010 | 05:25 PM

#17

Moto Mel

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From: Chesapeake, Va.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04markIII

I'm almost finished with an engine change in my Navigator and if I had to do it again I would just lift the body off the frame so I had access to everything.

Apr 1, 2010 | 06:56 AM

#18

04markIII

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From: Lunenburg, MA

i'm not doing the leakdown test, my mechanic is. he has the day off tomorrow, so with any luck, i should have my answer, and then i can start preparing.....

Apr 12, 2010 | 06:54 AM

#19

04markIII

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From: Lunenburg, MA

sigh. had the leakdown done....not good, as suspected. leaking coolant into the crankcase. mechanic said look for another motor.

Apr 12, 2010 | 09:26 AM

#20

Moto Mel

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From: Chesapeake, Va.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04markIII

sigh. had the leakdown done....not good, as suspected. leaking coolant into the crankcase. mechanic said look for another motor.

I don't know if I would be so quick to condemn the entire engine just yet. Has it been definately identified as a broken head or block? A good used engine is going to run between $800.00 and $1,500.00 plus the labor to install as you sound like you are not willing or able to do the job yourself, I would have the head removed and check for a bad head gasket or other problem first. If the engine gave no indication of problems before this incident I would believe a head gasket failed. There are many examples of the head gaskets failing without a supercharger. The supercharger may have been the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak. You might want to get a second opinion, I know I would. Even the best mechanic can make a mistake in their diagnosis.
Good luck with it and keep us posted on the progress.

Apr 12, 2010 | 09:34 AM

#21

04markIII

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From: Lunenburg, MA

well, he said it could just be a cracked head, but you still have to pull then engine to check it. with that being said, i found an 03 motor w/59k miles on it locally for $1395. my mechanic is only gonna charge me about 450 to remove and reinstall, so i could be said and done for under $2k, and have 59k miles instead of 130k. he said downtime would be about 2 weeks, as her would work on it at night when he gets home from the dealership.

Apr 12, 2010 | 09:47 AM

#22

alloro

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From: 0,0,1

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04markIII

as suspected. leaking coolant into the crankcase.

Um, why does it have to be a cracked head or block? A simple leaking intake gasket can cause coolant to show up in the crankcase.

Apr 12, 2010 | 12:08 PM

#23

Moto Mel

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From: Chesapeake, Va.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alloro

Um, why does it have to be a cracked head or block? A simple leaking intake gasket can cause coolant to show up in the crankcase.

Amen, that's what I was getting at.

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Apr 12, 2010 | 12:09 PM

#24

04markIII

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From: Lunenburg, MA

i'm tired of f**king around. been dealing with this since late last year. it's just easier to put the used motor in and call it a day. i called and put a deposit on it, and will be heading over tomorrow to pay it off. they willdeliver it to my mechanics house when i tell them to, and within a month, i should be up and running properly again.

Apr 12, 2010 | 12:13 PM

#25

Moto Mel

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From: Chesapeake, Va.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04markIII

Well you are certainly going to fix it and a much lower mileage engine is nice to have. Hopefully it will give you the performance you are looking for.
Good luck with it.

Apr 12, 2010 | 02:34 PM

#26

alloro

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From: 0,0,1

Naturally you be installing a new set of plugs before the engine goes in. It's so much easier that way.

Apr 12, 2010 | 02:40 PM

#27

04markIII

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From: Lunenburg, MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by alloro

Naturally you be installing a new set of plugs before the engine goes in. It's so much easier that way.

LOL, yeah. i knew that! new plugs, intake gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets. the intake and manifold gaskets are relatively new, but i'm not taking a chance. new fl820s and going with 5w30 this time around (just in case!).