if there is a small leak of coolant into one of the combustion chambers, do i risk hydrolock untill the coolant is expelled from the chamber? ie only at start-up?

TIA,

t..

 

Ok, just did compression test:

1 = 210
2 = 205
3 = 205
4 = 210

would a slight leak show up in this sort of basic test?

i am losing coolant, not sure how much, but i put in another 700ml yesterday and it was full before, only after 3000 miles...

there are no drips/leaks anywhere;

oil is not discoloured/milky;

car does not get past half way on temp gauge;

when running there are small bubbles that slowely bubble into the overflow tank, like one small bubble every 2 seconds...

it sounds like it fires on 3 cylinders for about the first 10 seconds after a cold start...

no noticable power problems (even for a B16A )

any ideas/comments/experiences?

thanks,

t..

 

are you sure there is no leaks because i had a coolant loss problem and one of the hoses had a pin size hole in it and when the car was warmed up it would leak but as it came out it would hit the engine and immediately dry so i pressurized the system and then found my problem. Hope this helps good luck

 

Check the color of your plugs... Sometimes, you can tell which cylinde(s) are acting up that way....

 

yeah sound just like a hose that has a pin hole in it by teh compression teat numbers.

 

yep, number 3 plug has a tiny few bits of debris on the tip (like specs of dirt) which is a shiny blackish colour, the other plugs are spotless and sorta browny/beige colour (3000 miles)

the top of the number 3 piston is shiny and black but the others are a dull browny/black colour.

if this is a small coolant leak, what should i do?

how can i tell for sure? get my coolant tested for exhaust gas?

should i replace the head gasket right away or can i wait a bit...?

t..

 

so should i think about pulling the head off or not?

do i risk damaging the engine if it is a coolant leak?

TIA,

t..

 

If you let it go to long, the flames from combustion, will start eroding away the head or deck, maybe even both....

Probably, the best check would be with a sniffer, that will tell you quicker then anything else. Otherwise a "Leak Down Test" would be the next option.