Bad head gasket or....

[Black Sun 5.0]

OK, where to begin. I just started the annual hot temp gauge season again. This is the 3rd year that I had my temp gauge read high (as high as 230*). I just installed an SN95 electric fan to see if it helps. Well, what the car does now is it heats up (at least the gauge does) while cruising on the highway. Stop and go, runs normal temp. I also noticed some black 'stuff', maybe oil, in my coolant. My oil looks good now, no chocolate milk and no white steam from the tails. I used an electronic temp gauge and popped it into my radiator when the temp gauge read 220*, it's running at t-stat temp (195). So, am I looking at a weak head gasket, a bad temp gauge (this is the 4th, an auto meter), or perhaps a clog in my cooling system. I also flushed the system yesterday. One last thing, if the temp is up and I run the heat, the temp drops pretty quick. Enjoy!

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

WOW! No takers on this one? Where are all the experts on this board?

 

[Black Sun 5.0]

ttt

 

[orangecapri]

Try a different thermostat. I had the same problem in my geo. I know different car, but same problem and also run your car with the cap off and you'll let all the air out of the system. You might want to try a 189 thermostat also. Id deffinately put a new one in there and let it get all the air out.

 

[houstonstangguy]

i think what orangecapri means 180* thermostat, and I agree, although my tuner (one of the best in houston) just told me to swap to a 160.

Im no expert but I would guess that if you dont see coolant or milky in the oil you should be ok. it might be worth just draining the oil to verify instead of reading the dipstick.

when you say you saw something black in the coolant, was that before or after you flushed the system? how old is your radiator? what about your water pump? might just be a cooling problem and not a head gasket.

if you are still full on your coolant I wouldnt think it is a gasket going.

 

[Venom4.6]

What's your spark plugs look like? Check your timing also.

 

[lazypony]

I'd say it's definitely a blown head gasket. Check the compression levels if you can. There is a small chance that you could have a cracked head.

 

[lazypony]

I'd say it's definitely a blown head gasket. Check the compression levels if you can. There is a small chance that you could have a cracked head.

 

[lazypony]

I'd say it's definitely a blown head gasket. Check the compression levels if you can. There is a small chance that you could have a cracked head.