lifting the heads under boost? air + oil in coolant

gxnos · May 16, 2010

basically stock 5.0 with an on3 kit MPT70 turbo, 9psi, a little over 500hp..

A while ago I noticed my overflow bottle was brown. Found out its oil... sweet. Another time, I noticed the overflow was bubbling, almost like a boil. This means a bunch of air is being released by the cap, so air (or exhaust) in the cooling system... sweet.

After a few times of flushing the system and filling it up with water, it seems intermittent. It seems like only oil / air is getting into the cooling system after beating on it. If I drive normal, its fine. Compression is fine, leakdown is fine, oil is fine. Actually, it always seems fine, coolant temps are fine and it runs awesome.

Think I might be lifting the heads? I might try swapping out the head bolts for ARP, if it doesnt work, I'm pulling the heads. You guys think I might get lucky?

lancec2c30 · May 16, 2010

You running stock bolts? I would bet they are probably stretching.

Put a set of ARP studs on there and I'll bet the problem goes away.

I sent you a PM too, by the way.

gxnos · May 16, 2010

yep stock bolts. 24 years old and reused a few times lol

sweet thats what i wanted to hear. i mean its worth a shot.

i figured most people would say "no, you blew the HG, pull it apart"

lancec2c30 · May 16, 2010

Well, if leak down and compression checks come out good, then I really don't see how a failed head gasket would be culprit.

That, and I have a buddy that was loosing coolant the same way in his stock motor Honda. He did studs and solved the problem.

gxnos · Jun 7, 2010

wanted to bump this back up because i threw in some ARP bolts one and at time and it had been fine since.

i was definitely lifting the heads under boost. no signs of HG failure ...

twistedwankel · Jun 7, 2010

gxnos said:
basically stock 5.0 with an on3 kit MPT70 turbo, 9psi, a little over 500hp..
Think I might be lifting the heads? I might try swapping out the head bolts for ARP, if it doesnt work, I'm pulling the heads. You guys think I might get lucky?

This is exactly what started happening to my highly boosted car under extreme flat out cooler air higher gear runs only. Even tho' had installed special metal head gasket and ARP bolts. Make sure you find out from ARP the "proper torque" and sequence for their studs. I do remember they said to run a tap thru the threads first and install studs only "finger tight" then the torque on the nuts was really high compared to stock or stretch bolts. Also make sure there is no interference with the valve covers with higher studs or you'll have a major oil leak requiring some reshaping of the valve cover.

If you do all this and it still happens you will either have to reduce the max boost or o-ring the heads for a better seal.

gxnos · Jun 7, 2010

i assume you didnt see my reply just above yours? the car is fine now.

twistedwankel · Jun 7, 2010

gxnos said:
i assume you didnt see my reply just above yours? the car is fine now.

Like the teacher always said: "Read the whole test before you start answering it."

Glad you solved the problem.

2000xp8 · Jun 7, 2010

I think your cure may be only temporary.
At some point you are going to have to replace the head gaskets. Once that path for water opens up, it's never the same again.

BYRDPE · Jun 7, 2010

2000xp8 said:
I think your cure may be only temporary.
At some point you are going to have to replace the head gaskets. Once that path for water opens up, it's never the same again.

i concur...as soon as he beats on it the issue will rear it's ugly head again.

gxnos · Jun 7, 2010

at this point it has lasted longer than when i originally put it together, so i say its a success. HG may be on borrowed time, but i dont think so anymore. its possible that no damage was done during the stretching of the bolts. ill keep you guys updated

7upstang91 · Jun 8, 2010

gxnos said:
at this point it has lasted longer than when i originally put it together, so i say its a success. HG may be on borrowed time, but i dont think so anymore. its possible that no damage was done during the stretching of the bolts. ill keep you guys updated

Could be. Hopefully not! Glad to hear it is fixed!

PMed you.

lifting the heads under boost? air + oil in coolant

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