MIEj1

iTrader: (1)

Yes I know that this has been covered numerous times, but my situation is somewhat different.

I have a d16z6 with 181k on the clock for reference purposes.

So here's my dilemma:

Started up the car for the first time in almost two months. It started on the first crank.

I've been having a problem with the cooling system though (overflow bottle)

I'm just checking out the engine bay, so I go to look at the overflow bottle, and it's empty. Usually it should have some coolant in it, but it was practically dry. So I went ahead and added some 50/50 to the max line on the bottle. Keep in mind that it was running while I was adding it.

Well about 5 minutes later, I go and check on the level. It was about a centimeter or two lower than before. So I was like meh, I'll just leave it for now. The car was at normal operating temps by now. Normal temps on the gauge cluster as well. Fan runs and operates perfectly.

Drove the car around my subdivision for a total of less than 1 mile, and then parked it in my garage.

About 2 hours later, I go and check on the level. IT WAS COMPLETELY DRY AGAIN! I went ahead and looked if I needed to add any coolant into the radiator. It probably only needed 1/2-3/4 of a quart till it was full. I have no idea what's going on.

I went ahead and contacted one of my buddies about my situation. He told me to take off the radiator cap while it's running, to see if there's any bubbles forming. It was still warming up, and I didn't see anything but vibrations in the coolant, until I see these semi-big white-tinted bubbles forming. These "bubbles" would not break out of the coolant, as in breaking the surface of the coolant, and form outside in the air. One after another after popping in the coolant, they still kept coming.

So basically from my friends, and researching, I might have a blown head gasket. I have also checked the bottle for any cracks or punctures. There weren't any.

My fan and thermostat is working because the temperaure gauge is reading a steady normal 1/2.

I also have burped the system recently. I'm damn sure there isn't any air in it, but when I wake up tomorrow morning I'll go ahead and re-bleed to make sure.

My buddy that was over today also saw that when I was close to WOT he could see a little bit of white smoke coming from the exhaust.

Just driving it around, I didn't feel that there isn't any mechanical issues.


Conculsion: Do you think I have a blown head gasket? Or what else could be a problem?

I really need your help as soon as possible. If it's my HG, I don't want it to get any worse than it is.

Thanks a ton!!

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

I don't know how your situation is different. You have a blown headgasket. If you're not leaking it then you're burning it up and seeing the white smoke out of the tailpipe as a result.

motegicivic

So your temp gauge is 1/2 all the time no overheating?

I would rebleed to be sure, make sure you fill up the rad and when done fill the overfill half way. See how it is.

Also pressure check for leaks, just to be sure.

Also, block test.

MIEj1

iTrader: (1)

Woke up this morning and found this:



I see now that I have a leaky radiator from the top, and the radiator hose under the dizzy is not fully on. I'm going to take the distributor off, and push that hose more into the nipple.

strategy400

Fix that and retest. Obviously you found the leak. You could do a block test to be sure. $20 kit at Autozone.

motegicivic

If it leaking from the top of rad, then you need a new rad, that is typical problem.

MIEj1

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I don't think my head gasket is blown what so ever. I'm just going to go ahead and purchase a new radiator. That really made me happy that it wasn't something that could have been catastrophic.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

You haven't done any tests yet and you haven't confirmed the radiator is actually bad. Even if it is it still does not rule out a headgasket issue. Especially with the report of white smoke. A failed rad will not cause that.

94EG8

That's a pretty good sign of a blown headgasket as well. If you get enough pressure from exhaust gasses entering the cooling system it will cause old rads to fail, and hoses to burst and pop off.

Get a block tester and see if there's exhaust gasses entering the coolant.

MIEj1

iTrader: (1)

Okay, I'll have to go and get a block tester when I'm home again. My car is just sitting in the garage anyways until I come home for the summer.

motegicivic

If it is original rad, chances are the top seam will go no matter what.

MIEj1

iTrader: (1)

Yessir it's the original radiator. Do you think I should replace it before I start driving again?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Is it actually leaking?

MIEj1

iTrader: (1)

You know those aluminum tabs that go all the way around the top of the radiator? Well if you can look closely, you're able to see some traces of coolant all around the top of the radiator.