james_85Z28

I have been notcing that my radiator has been getting too low, too frequently lately. Although my car doesn't overheat, or show the boiling from that, I have noticed that my coolant is being forced into the resevoir when throttled. Upon startup, even cold, you can see air bubbles entering the catch can. Not good.


I replaced the radiator cap and still the same. Sounds like a head gasket? I do have slight external leakage, that's what got me thinking about my manifold a couple weeks ago, but it isn't in the volume that I'm losing each day (about 3/4 gallon). it's not dripping on the ground, I've looked for pinhole leaks, it's not in the oil pan, it's not billowing steam out the exhaust pipe. I think the head gasket leak is just forcing the coolant out of the radiator and into the resevoir, where it is spilling onto the ground when driving.

Whatcha think?

My Felpro 1010 gaksts have always seemed to seep coolant so I was planning on replacing them soon anyways.

MRZ28HO

Hmm, how do the spark plugs look? What pressure is the radiator cap? Could be too low (like the previous one was). I am thinking it is the pressure of the cap (I know, you just replaced it). Also, what is the temperature when going WOT or aggressively? Could be you are getting hot (lean, air pockets in coolant). Just ideas ...

james_85Z28

I tried a new stant and the CVR (AZ brand ???) cap, both at 16 lbs. I pull the plugs on the corners (1,2,7,8) and all but 7 looked good, tan ceramic, while 7 had a darker color on the ceramic. Those plugs were the easiest to pull. The temp always show good when full of coolant, but when the coolant gets kinds low, after 1 day (~30 miles, less 1 gallon of coolant), the temp will climb up when idling. When cruising the temp is good for all coolant levels. The gage has only gone to the 220 mark, which is more like 210 on my scanner. I have a 180* stat and fans come on at 200* (20* buffer for fan cycle). Mike witnessed me put about 1 gallon in my radiator the other day on a trip, I had just filled it up 2 days prior.

My car runs fine, doesn't create cloads, doesn't drip coolant.

89 TA

That's exactly what happened to my sister's car, Yeah it's your head gaskets. In my opinion if it were your radiator cap it would overflow your bottle but it wouldn't cause air bubbles. Air bubbles specially under throttle to me means compression going into the coolant passages. If you need help I volunteer .

james_85Z28

well if the heads are coming off then it'll be easier if I remove the engine. since I'm at it I might as well have the heads looked at. while they are looking at them, they might as well do some work to them. Since the heads are flowing nice I might as well get a bumpier bump stick. To match the heads and cam I might as well get a superam. So this is looking to be a $2K head gasket replacement. This is tax refund time anyways...

MRZ28HO

... and while you're at it, and since the heads and cam will flow better, why not step up to bigger cubes ...

Where have I heard that before. :sillylol: What will you do for a spare car/engine, use the 305?

james_85Z28

Big cubes would come when I find out I the rod bearings are making a little too much noise

well, I'm also thinking of hopping on a plane to texas and picking up my truck My ZZ4'd F-100 would be my backup (and babe magnet). Since I have almost all the TPI stuff to install on it, I might as well stick a hotcam in there. And since the stealthram is only $500 and I have plenty of hood clearance...