I am looking into buying a 1998 TL that may have a blown headgasket. Is there any way to tell which bank NEEDS to be replaced? I know, the proper way is to replace both of them and I may end up doing that. I was just curious if there was a sure fire way to know if one bank is toast? Also, has anyone herd any issues with these HGs going bad or any block/headbolt issues sealing? The engine has 211k so.... I know these tranny's had issues. It was replaced by the dealership @ 118k or so...

Thanks for your input!

Blaze

 

You do a compression test then you do a leak-down test if your losing any compression.

Great video of a compression test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_tbksFYhl4

Same guy, leak-down test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgrfT0LFMhc

 

Ive seen instancs where neither of these showed negligable differences, If I were you I would just replace them both, if ones gone then the other may not be too far away.

 

BHG are a very common problem in the C32/C35 engines. Check out acuralegend.org and in the FAQ there are a few test's to verify which bank and cylinder or cylinders are leaking.

If it were me, I would do both, since you're going in that far anyways, it's only a handful more bolts to replace the other HG at the same time. I would do the Timing belt and Water pump too at that time.

If I was a little closer, I could lend a hand.