Is this from a bad head gasket?

[checkedout]

Felt a little miss today so I changed the plugs. Everything looked good until the last one. It was damp and the electrode is green! Should I drive this until I can get it looked at?

 

[88vert]

Could be from a bad intake gasket

 

[checkedout]

That would be better news. Sorry I can't get a better picture. What kind of damage could I do if I drive it? Right now it's all I have. Should I take the day off and take it to a shop or would it hurt it to drive to work then home then to a shop?

 

[88vert]

Are you losing any water?What number plug is it?

 

[checkedout]

It's #4. I'm not seeing a loss of coolant yet. and the miss seems to go away when it warms up.

 

[IgotTwo]

Fast and dirty check:
Get a block tester - cheap gadget that you put on "in place of radiator cap" (not exactly, but good enough for now) Fill it with the chemical solution and it tests for exhaust gasses in coolant fluid.

A leak down test is the next alternative to narrow it down

 

[checkedout]

IgotTwo, autoparts stores are closed I'll try it in the morning. What info will it tell me?

 

[Redrig]

im not sure whats causing it but i dont see any reason why you cant drive it untill you get it looked at.

 

[checkedout]

Whats involved in a leak down test?

 

[F14CRAZY]

If I remember right, a leak down test is when your coolant system is pressurized and monitered with a gauge. If it looses pressure, then there is a leak somewhere. In your case, it would be a head gasket.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

There are several tests that can/should be done.

1) Coolant system pressure test. This is accomplished using a rented tool (Free from Autozone) that has allows you to pressurize the cooling system, and monitior the pressure with the engine off, so the system remains at constant temperature. If the pressure drops, you have a leak in the cooling system. It won't tell you where.

2) Compression test. A pressure gauge is attached to a cylinder in place of the spark plugs. (Kits can be bought for $20-$40 at Autozone) The engine is cranked with the starter motor, the gauge is monitored, and the process is repeated for each cylinder. All cyclinders should give readings within 10% of each other. If a cyclinder has low compression, there is a leak in the combustion chamber. It could be from a head gasket failure, cracked head, bad rings, or a hole in the piston or block. A way to check if it is rings is to add a few drops of oil to each cylinder before the test. If there is a large increase in compression, rings are suspect.

3) Leakdown test is an advanced compression test that uses shop air to pressurize the cylinder instead of the starter motor. The engine must be rotated to each cylinder's TDC to seat and seal both intake and exhaust valves. The gauge is attached much the same way as the compression tester, through the spark plug hole. If there is a tight seal, the gauge will remain fairly constant, some leakage is normal. Where this test shines is its ability to pinpoint the problem. Look for escaping high pressure air!!

First I would change the plug, and look for a loss of coolant and oil. Check to see if you have lots of bubbles or milkyness in your oil.

 

[checkedout]

V8BoatBuilder, Thanks for the info. I see your from Newton. I grew up in Watertown. Well, I'm off to the parts store, I'll start with the block tester.

 

[checkedout]

GOOD NEWS! ?

Ran the block test and it came up negative. No exhaust gases in the coolant. And she wasn't missing (yet) with the new plugs. Does this mean the intake gasket for sure? What's my next step?

 

[checkedout]

Has anyone done this? How long would it take to take off and replace the intake manifold? I'm pretty handy.

 

[Rhett]

If you are pretty handy you can do it then. It will take a solid day if you've never done it before, taking your time; most of the time is spent removing stuff off the top of the engine so that you can remove the intake manifolds.
Parts you need are a gasket set (I used Ford gaskets and not autozone Fel-Pro ones) and basic hand tools/socket set etc.

While you have it apart you could pull the injectors and clean them as well--they'll be right there easily accessible.

 

[checkedout]

While you have it apart you could pull the injectors and clean them as well--they'll be right there easily accessible. [/B][/QUOTE]

Thanks! That's the kind of advice I want to know if I'm gonna do it.

 

[IgotTwo]

How can I answer with so many great minds so eager to be at your disposal
hahaha!

All these test will get you in the 95th percentile ...tearing it down is the bottom line..... in the absence of a “gorilla”...the guy's might be right on the intake.

The intake mainfold bolts have known to loosen over time ........ as you start tearing it down ..."loose bolts" may be a clue as you get into it

.....When you put in back together use locktite on the intake manifold bolts (I think I used the blue stuff)


I won't say more cause you are probably in overload already
you'll get it

 

[IgotTwo]

sorry for 2nd post
Had a thought - a bad habit

I hope who ever did the block test knew what he was doing .......
My thinking:
If you see wet antifreeze on a plug:

It can't come from too many places but a gasket or crack.
After you shut down a hot engine, the coolant system is still hot at 14? psi ...enough pressure to push fluid into a leaking cylinder and show a wet plug. I know you are not taking the plugs out when the engine is running! hahaha . That is why you see coolant on plug. Otherwise it would be burnt off.
While running, the compression from the engine SHOULD force gasses back though that leak into the coolant AND show on a block test
I think....

It may not matter…it has to come apart
you'll make it work

 

[checkedout]

$1000

I don't know what to think any more. I took it by three shops today, including the food dealer. They all said cracked head. I just blew the first guy off figuring they were looking at $$$$. But I don't know now, when I went to the food shop and told them the symtoms the lead tech even told me which plug I found fouled.

 

[checkedout]

I hope who ever did the block test knew what he was doing .......


HEY!! I did the block test!!!!! ha ha ha

I'm sure I did it right, even did it two more times to be sure.