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head / head gasket question / hydrocarbons in coolant

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Martin308GTB, Jul 7, 2007.

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  1. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,252
    Black Forest Germany
    Full Name:
    Martin N.
    #1 Martin308GTB, Jul 7, 2007
    Hello from Germany,

    some problems are really homemade. Today I had the chance to do a check for exhaust gases in the coolant system. Just out of curiosity, because someone could lend me such a block tester. I wish I didn't perform it.
    I have no problems with overheating or coolant losses, but the tester showed tiny traces of combustion gases in the coolant system. Title of this thread is probably wrong. The tester detects CO or CO2.
    The block tester is a highly accurate two-chamber device and the fluid in the lower chamber remained blue, but the fluid in the upper chamber showed a slight change from blue to bluish green.
    Any of you have experience with such a test ?
    What do you think ? Should I tear my engine apart ?

    Best Regards and thank you in advance for your thoughts.

    Martin
     
  2. boxer frank

    boxer frank Karting

    Sep 30, 2004
    165
    toronto canada
    Full Name:
    FRANK
    #2 boxer frank, Jul 7, 2007
    ZERO COOLANT LOSS AND NO OVERHEATING MEANS HEAD GASKET IS MOST LIKELY OK

    WHAT BRAND AND MODEL IS THE TESTER?

    TRY ANOTHER ONE OR TYPE
     
  3. Ferraripilot

    Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
    Owner Project Master

    May 10, 2006
    17,763
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    John!
    #3 Ferraripilot, Jul 7, 2007
    I concur with the above statement. If the engine runs well, does not lose coolant, and has good compression I would not worry about it. Do not get yourself caught up in constantly looking for something wrong.
     
  4. Artvonne

    Artvonne F1 Veteran

    Oct 29, 2004
    5,379
    NWA
    Full Name:
    Paul
    #4 Artvonne, Jul 8, 2007
    I concur as well. Without any visable outward signs of anything wrong, I would sleep easy. But just out of curiosity, when was last time the heads were torqued? Is it possible some oil got into the system via a funnel or container that was contaminated? Keep an eye on it and party on. :)
     
  5. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,252
    Black Forest Germany
    Full Name:
    Martin N.
    #5 Martin308GTB, Jul 8, 2007
    Hello all,

    thank you for your statements.
    Paul; the last time I re-torqued the heads was just 5000 kms ago during my last big service with valves checking and cambelts.

    Frank; the brand of the tester is 'Wuerth' and is identical to the Hazet model.

    Best Regards from Germany

    Martin
     
  6. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

    Jan 3, 2004
    4,629
    Full Name:
    Dave Helms
    #6 davehelms, Jul 8, 2007
    When the testers first came out some 25 yrs ago I got one. It was quickly found to give numerous false positive readings depending on the type and age of coolant used in the engine. Do not tear the heads off based on results of that test!

    Dave
     
  7. finnerty

    finnerty F1 World Champ

    May 18, 2004
    10,406
    #7 finnerty, Jul 8, 2007
    This topic puts me in mind of a similar question ----

    Does anyone know of a reliable (and easy) method to check for the presence of coolant in the engine oil?? Obviously, large amounts of coolant can be identified by a simple visual inspection of the drained oil --- but, I would like to check for minor amounts of coolant.

    My 308 spent the winter in a cold storage space, and I'm not confident whether I had a high enough anti-freeze concentration and system volume to provide adequate freeze protection (got down to minus single digits, fahrenheit, at times). I'm getting ready to pull the sump cover plate, drain, and examine the oil --- and I'm very nervous about what I may find!!!

    I don't suspect that anything could of actually cracked, but I'm concerned that joints, gaskets, or o-rings may have leaked with excessive expansion from local pockets of freezing in the block or heads.

    Any thoughts???
     
  8. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 23, 2002
    15,204
    Montana, Oregon, Hawaii
    #8 Glassman, Jul 8, 2007
    Living in Montana, freeze up is pretty regular. I have been told that any amount of coolant will not allow the system to freeze hard. Also I am told that you will loose the hoses and the radiator long before engine damage occurs. I have had many cars (not Ferrari) freeze pretty well without any noticable damage. I believe that if you have enough seepage to cause any kind of problem there wil be visible fluid mixed.
     
  9. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,252
    Black Forest Germany
    Full Name:
    Martin N.
    #9 Martin308GTB, Jul 8, 2007
    Hello from Germany,

    long before coolant mixes with the oil you can find small, isolated coolant droplets on the interior part of the oil filler cap.
    This is my experience made with my Alfa. These engines are prone to head gasket failure between the oil lines and water jacket.

    Best Regards

    Martin
     
  10. fmaderi

    fmaderi Formula Junior

    May 8, 2005
    258
    clearwater Fla/NY
    Full Name:
    frank maderi
    #10 fmaderi, Jul 8, 2007
    there are tests for oil .i agree withthe others dont pull the car apart . the block tester solution does get old . try a co/hc machine . and i have seen them leak before. funny thing is , like ive been taught , they dont blow head gaskets that often. forza frank
     
  11. ParadiseRoad

    ParadiseRoad Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2006
    538
    Colorado
    #11 ParadiseRoad, Jul 12, 2007
    ...mechanical hypochondria...if she has good power...doesn't use eccessive oil...and the fluids look good to the naked eye...run her!...and quit worrying.
     

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