Who knows their stuff on HG replacement?

[IgotTwo]

It looks like my 94 with 107K miles has fell victim to a blown head gasket.
Loss of coolant, sweat exhaust smell at start up, mild white smoke at start up and white powdered plugs. I was going to do a leak down but I’m pretty sure that will not tell me anything encouraging.

It didn’t develop any idling or starting problem and the plugs had only a very light white powder. It did run a little sluggish. I hope I caught it early.

I know antifreeze can reek havoc on an engine cylinder walls, with that:

Anyone have any thoughts on how to determine what damages it may have caused, where to look for it or, maybe even, what to replace while it is apart- before I start tearing it down?

Thanks

 

[mrboyle]

The coolant will only "reek havoc" if left in the cylinder long enough for it to rust the metal. It is highly unlikely that you could have damaged the cylinder wall as long as the engine continues to run. Any coolant that enters the cylinder is either being evapoeated during the combustion process, or it will be forced out during the exhaust stroke.
Now if the vehicle is left sitting for a long period of time with the piston of the affected cylinder any where below top dead center the coolant allowed to fill the cylinder will damage it.
Before tearing it down, if you want to be certain that you do have a blown gasket, have a block test done on the cooling system. This is a test used to determine if exhause has entered the cooling system (due to a blown head gasket). It uses a chemical that undergoes a chemical reaction upon contact with carbon dioxide (CO2) and will change colors (from blue to yellow). Most auto shops should be able to perform this test.

 

[IgotTwo]

mrbolye - you have come to my rescue before!
thanks
good news after bads news! haha

I did order a block tester... I just didn't come in yet.
A very handy little gadget! simple too. I knew about them but after thinking ..... what a neat thing to have around ... when you buying a used car ..if you suspect problems ...just curious or check on someone's work .... its too easy!

I did try to do my homework.
With the antifreeze smell, coolant loss, the plugs, etc. I figured a blown HG was a done deal. The next question is whether to hang on to it. I hate losing a 5sp manual. I have taken great care of it inside and out.

I've got the plugs out now and I may do a leak down. I just did the intake manifold gasket 6 months? ago. Grrrrrrrr! At least I know the top 1/2 of the engine is spotless. haha!

So on the "second tear down" think I should have injectors cleaned professionally? New O rings is a given. Have the heads redone? I'll check for warping. I guess I have to go for a new intake gasket set too (those things are not cheap!)
I just can't think of anything else to avoid a number "3"
Especially to miss something stupid.
Maybe water pump?

 

[IgotTwo]

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

I did a leak down test and the driver’s bank was tight but:

When I got to the passenger side ....I got "my" pressure drop…..not through the radiator but the oil filler breather hose. Sounds like a cracked head to me. Grrrrrrrr