Awhile back my water pump gave out and was forced to have it replaced since though the coolant in the reservoir has been a blackish color. I thought maybe it was just remnant from the water pump failing somehow but after having my cooling system flushed the coolant has become black again after only an hour or two. I was wondering if maybe it was a blown head gasket. There dosent appear to have coolant in my oil, I already checked that its just the coolant. Also the car begins to run red over 70 mph. My check engine light also comes on with code 34 MAF error. I appreciate any ideas.

Hello,
i'm writing from Italy, I have the same problem, how does you to solve the problem? Thanks and greetings.
Fausto

Sounds like a head gasket to me. You'll know for sure once you start tearing it apart. Everytime I've blown a head gasket I always ended up with antifreeze in the oil, but it can happen the other way around. I definitely wouldn't run it if you're having cooling issues, else you're just asking for a warped head.

sounds like head problem.

The MAF code may be side affect from the blown head gasket. I always test for combustion gases in the coolant. If theres much of a leak you should see a steady stream of bubbles in the reservior. A real good leak and youll have clouds of steam out the exhaust. I use my 5 gas analyser and a plastic bottle with a hole punched in it to prevent sucking liquid in the sniffer tip, then look for HCs in the coolant res or radiator.

hi Guys,
my 1986 Camaro 305 lb9 tpi vin F has the following sympthoms:
- MAF low error code 34
- loss of power when the engine is hot (@220°F); when the engine is cold, it runs great
- coolant is dark brown since the first loss of power
- coolant level is higher than always (without refilling!)
Are them caused all by the head gaskset? Or the head gaskset could be damaged by some other issues like MAF making the engine run lean (so overhetaing..)?

Regards

i would try a compression test to make sure if you dont wanna rip it aprt just yet as far as i know no cylinder should read less than 100psi and no cylinder should be more than 70 percent lower than the last.

This sounds very much like a head gasket or it could be an intake manifold gasket. Take off your oil filler cap and look for white sludge buildup on it. If there is then there probably is a popped gasket. It is possible that the bad MAF could have leaned out the engine causing detonation and popping the head gasket. Black coolant is usually a signal of oil in it.

just replace all top end gaskets , either a head gasket or cracked block( internally oil galley or coolant jacket)