Symptoms of blown head gasket?

tylerdru · 09-08-2005, 11:26 PM

what are the symptoms? Could this have caused my radiator to blow. This car did make a 2 hour trip. How would i do a compression test? Or where do i get one done?

uwti · 09-08-2005, 11:49 PM

Normally you will overheat right away! within driving a mile!

tylerdru · 09-08-2005, 11:54 PM

Okay we drove her all the way home, and within 5 minutes of the house we hit traffic and the radiator blew! Now I have replaced the water pump, thermostat/housing, and got radiator fixed. We will be seeing if problems persist tomorrow. I think im gonna replace the fan belt too.

uwti · 09-09-2005, 12:07 AM

Could be a water pump or thurmostat not opening, head gasket is very dramatic, you will overheat the minute you put any load on the engine!

pak133 · 09-09-2005, 12:07 AM

One of the tell tale signes of a blown head gasket is the white smoke coming out of the exhaust.

Phil

nualln · 09-09-2005, 02:02 AM

Check the oil dipstick after driving it and see if it looks like frothy chocolate milk. If it does, then you have antifreeze in your oil and that could be caused by a blown head gasket.

Soaring · 09-09-2005, 06:02 AM

You perform a compression test by taking out each spark plug, then using a compression meter you can buy at any parts place, you put the rubber end of the compression meter in one plug hole and it will give you a reading. Get someone to help you since you have to turn the engine over to check for compression.

tylerdru · 09-09-2005, 09:00 AM

i that there could be water in the oil tank but i didnt know that was always the case. I think im just paranoid.

Soaring · 09-09-2005, 09:06 AM

If there is water in the oil, your oil will look like a chocolate milkshake as mentioned. You will also have a milky foam on the bottom side of the oil filler cap. Your oil level will also rise.

tylerdru · 09-09-2005, 09:08 AM

My dads explorer had a cracked block does a blown head gasket and cracked block have the same symptoms?