head gasket questions??

[linksys42]

I am having a problem that I think is a blown head gasket. It doesn't overheat but there is a loss of power and the #1 thing that leads me to believe I have a blown HG is that im losing coolant slowly and there are no leaks any where on my engine neither coolant or oil. Also the exhaust has kind of a sweet smell sometimes when first starting it up and also after taking it for a drive beating on it for a bit. And there seems to be a very light layer of oil in the coolant reservoir bottle, I first thought the oil in the bottle was from the oil cooler, so I flushed the coolant system and it stayed clean for awhile but now it is back just a thin film of oil on top of the coolant. I'm leaning towards the head gasket. What do you guys think? Also compression on cylinder #2 has about an 8-10psi difference from the other cylinders. Thanks

 

[dsm-power36]

what was the compressin test numbers?

 

[syclone]

yeah, you need to run a compression check, and see if you have a cylender not making compression,

 

[GVR4592]

Since you already did a compression test, I would suggest doing a leakdown test next. If there's a significant leak at the head gasket you might see some of the pressure making it's way into the cooling system.

 

[blackGSX2g]

I agree with Luke, a leak-down test should help you out. If you don't have access to one, run down to your local Autozone/Advanced Auto and ask for a 'block testor'. Its basically a chemical kit that tests your coolant for the presence of hydrocarbons. Since hydrocarbons are a by-product of the combustion process, they represent exhaust gasses entering your cooling system. When my 1st head gasket went, this was the only way I was able to detect it. Compression was perfect in all cylinders and no oil/coolant was mixing. Its a cheap but definitive test that should answer your question.

 

[GVR4592]

I've never heard of that, I'll have to check it out next time I'm diagnosing a head gasket problem. It sounds like it would make things a lot easier.

 

[blackGSX2g]

Luke-

Actually, many shops around my area will do that test for free...in hopes that if the test is positive that you will go to them for the repair. Either way, its a cheap alternative to other expensive tests and gives you the same definitive answer.

 

[linksys42]

I agree with Luke, a leak-down test should help you out. If you don't have access to one, run down to your local Autozone/Advanced Auto and ask for a 'block testor'. Its basically a chemical kit that tests your coolant for the presence of hydrocarbons. Since hydrocarbons are a by-product of the combustion process, they represent exhaust gasses entering your cooling system. When my 1st head gasket went, this was the only way I was able to detect it. Compression was perfect in all cylinders and no oil/coolant was mixing. Its a cheap but definitive test that should answer your question.

Ya I already did the leak down test and #2 is at a higher % leak down value than the others, but I can't tell where its coming from I listened to the intake side and the exhaust side to see if was the valves and checked for air coming thru the coolant system but can't figure where it's leaking from. I thought of using those strips to test the coolant but Oreillys needs to order them. So I just said screw it. But now that you said something about them I guess im going to order them. Thanks for all the help.