MTKirk
Full Access Member
Yesterday my coolant reservoir overflowed a bit at the end of a trip where temps occasionally reached 220F. I thought it was odd, but just assumed some problem with my radiator cap (6 months old). Let the engine cool down until I could get the cap off and test it, the cap tested fine. Used my vacuum filler to top off the coolant, found that system would not hold vacuum like it used to, but topped off anyway as I had left over coolant. Then pressure tested the cooling system to 16psi. Over five minute the pressure crept down to 14psi, then held there for 15 minutes. Started it up (engine still runs perfectly), Pressure started to build up immediately, even though engine was cold. After running for 5 minutes or so I noticed bubbles coming up in the coolant reservoir tank- Uh oh! Checked oil; level. Appearance, smell, and taste all normal. Smelled bubbles in coolant reservoir, no exhaust smell detected. Watched and smelled exhaust for symptoms of combusting coolant, none were present.
I suspect my head bolts/gasket have loosened up enough for combustion gasses to get pushed by the gasket on combustion (190,000 on engine, 170,000 of history unknowable), any other time the system holds pressure (seems like a cavitation hole would leak down continuously). What do the Oilburners think?
I think I will be pulling the heads, maybe even the entire engine so I can attack the oil cooler as well. Given the mileage I would like to get the heads rebuilt (or buy some rebuilt heads). Obviously I will need head bolts. Any advice/help running down these items would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Kirk
https://youtu.be/w6uiZLjyjm0
https://youtu.be/udxgKixoGvE
I suspect my head bolts/gasket have loosened up enough for combustion gasses to get pushed by the gasket on combustion (190,000 on engine, 170,000 of history unknowable), any other time the system holds pressure (seems like a cavitation hole would leak down continuously). What do the Oilburners think?
I think I will be pulling the heads, maybe even the entire engine so I can attack the oil cooler as well. Given the mileage I would like to get the heads rebuilt (or buy some rebuilt heads). Obviously I will need head bolts. Any advice/help running down these items would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Kirk
https://youtu.be/w6uiZLjyjm0
https://youtu.be/udxgKixoGvE