Bubbles in radiator fluid: as certain sign of blown head gasket?

stock50LX

Curmudgeon

Founding Member

Oct 2, 2001

1,858

0

0

University Place, WA

Feb 17, 2004

#1

• Feb 17, 2004

• #1

After three months, I reassembled my 351 car, now with ported heads. I have been plagued by cooling system problems for the last two days: water spewing all over the engine, leaks in hoses, running too warm. I have conquered the leaks one by one, and the car now runs warm, but not hot. However, there are bubbles in the radiator. A knowledgeable friend told me that such bubbles do not necessarily equate to a blown head gasket, but I have always assumed otherwise. I just made a test drive of 20 minutes duraton and the car lost no coolant. Opinions appreciated.

 

T_5.0_N'works

New Member

Sep 30, 2003

260

0

0

Texas

Feb 17, 2004

#2

• Feb 17, 2004

• #2

A pin hole in a hose can cause air bubbles.

If you refilled your radiator at anytime during this period of cooling problem, it might just be the coolant letting air out that was trapped inside. Do a compression check if you really want to know.

 

stock50LX

Curmudgeon

Founding Member

Oct 2, 2001

1,858

0

0

University Place, WA

Feb 17, 2004

#3

• Feb 17, 2004

• #3

What if the gasket is blown between coolant holes and not between coolant holes and the cylinder? The compression test won't reflect such a defect.

 

JadeFalcon

Founding Member

Mar 28, 2002

1,924

0

0

Arlington, TX

Feb 17, 2004

#4

• Feb 17, 2004

• #4

check for coolant in the oil, and oil in the coolant, smell the exhaust.

 

IndyBlk5.0

New Member

Nov 24, 2003

1,122

1

0

New Whiteland, IN

Feb 17, 2004

#5

• Feb 17, 2004

• #5

compression test told me that i had a headgasket leak, that and a hydrocarbons test i did on my radiator. hum, lost over 300+ total compression psi... dunno the exact number, but it was a lot.. funny thing is, car still ran like a champ...

 

stock50LX

Curmudgeon

Founding Member

Oct 2, 2001

1,858

0

0

University Place, WA

Feb 17, 2004

#6

• Feb 17, 2004

• #6

The hydrocarbon test sounds interesting. Can any shop do it or is the equipment expensive?

Jadefalcon: there is no mixture of fluids. The car seems to be running incredibly rich though. I cannot tell much from the smell as I have little basis for comparison. It is smoking more than usual though.

 

IndyBlk5.0

New Member

Nov 24, 2003

1,122

1

0

New Whiteland, IN

Feb 17, 2004

#7

• Feb 17, 2004

• #7

i took it to my driveablility mechanic, he did one, charged me 40 bucks for everything, just to tell me that i needed to tear down my engine... i hate paying for advice like that.... Blah