Head Gasket replacement

[Whitetal]

I'm working on a 97 GSX. I'm fixing for someone. The head gasket was blown. Oil and coolant was all mixed up. I replaced the head gasket and slapped it all back together. It started up and engine sounds good. The problem is coolant and oil is still mixing. Went through 2 oil changes. I'll fill the engine with new oil and start it up for a couple minutes. When I drain it, nothing but light brown watery oil comes out. What could it be? Can the block or head be cracked somewhere? The engine starts up and runs good so I figured there shouldn't be any cracks. Maybe I'll do a compression as well.

 

[tristanmb81]

did you check for head warping and was the head resurfaced, head & block cracks? did you flush the oil and coolant out of the system and replaced with new? how much coolant mixture are you seeing? report back thanks!!!!

 

[Whitetal]

I didn't check for warp or resurface the head. Can warpage be enough to cause coolant to mix into the oil? I should have check for warpage. I was kinda short on time. Visually I didn't notice any cracks. Could probably be one of those microscopic cracks that can't be seen. I'm gonna have to take it apart for sure. I flushed the oil but not the coolant. The coolant was still green and uncontaminated from oil. The coolant and oil mixture is pretty bad. Oil is very light in color and runs almost like water.

 

[BoostFrenzy]

How was the head gasket blow? Too Much boost? Or was it blown from an overheating issue?
If it was an overheated issue, then it is most likely warped.

I would also start checking through the other area's of the engine bay where oil and coolant meet in one part, such as the OFH.

 

[Whitetal]

Yeah it was blown from overboost. Guy said he was boosting 20psi or something. It's stock motor with evo turbo and 3in complete exhaust. Too much boost for that motor to handle especially with no fuel upgrades. I clearly saw the metal part of the head gasket around the cylinder was busted in pieces. I know that compression is good so there's probably no damage to pistons rings.

By the way, what is OFH.

 

[danl]

Did you check the oil cooler. AKA the oil coolant mixer?

 

[BoostFrenzy]

By the way, what is OFH.

Oil filter housing. Which on a 2g is right right next to the oil cooler. But since it is from too much boost, my guess is the head. Check it to make sure both the block deck and the head surface are flat to ensure proper sealing.

 

[spooled_u_1st]

Definitely sounds like a warped head. Check that 1st.

 

[Whitetal]

If it is warped, can it just be resurfaced?

I did read about coolant mixing into the oil because of the bad design. I guess putting the oil filter on too tight can crush the cooler or something like that.

 

[spooled_u_1st]

Yes the head can be resurfaced.

It doesn't sound like the OFH to me.

 

[Whitetal]

So since the motor runs normal, can I rule out a cracked block or head? Also can the block be warped? I know it's iron so less chances than the head. What's is about the price range for head resurface?

Also now that the subject is of the head being warped, I do remember something strange that I came across when mounting the head to the block. Usually when I unmount and install the head, I do it with the intake manifold connected. So when mounting the head back on, sometimes the head will tilt back because of the weight of the intake manifold. If I tilt it forward back into place, the head will sit correctly with the dowel pins. Well when I was working on this GSX, I thought it was strange because it seemed like the head would not tilt back into place correctly and it felt like the head kept sliding off the dowel pins like both would not go in. When one was in, the other would fall out. I actually never got the head to sit flat correctly. I didn't know why so I decided to put just start putting the head bolts in and torquing them down. So as I did that, the head just came together with the block. That's the first time I ever had a problem mounting the head to the block. Damn maybe that's why. That's good to know now thinking back. You guys think it was because the head was warped? I'm gonna go and pull that mutha off. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Maybe be couple day till I get to it though. Thanks guys

 

[spooled_u_1st]

It definately sounds like the head is warped. I can't remember for sure but the price for resurfacing should be under $100 all depending on the RA you want/need.

Depending on how bad it was overheated the block could also be warped so you want to check that too.

I don't think your block/head would be cracked but you never know for sure unless you have them magnafluxed or pressure checked.

 

[kronus]

Sounds like your head is warped. Just because the car 'runs fine' it doesn't mean that the head is completely sealing. Do a compression test. NOTE: Even if you have good compression it STILL doesn't mean that the head is sealing the way it should. You may have warped the head in a manner to seal the combustion chambers, but not separate the oil and coolant passages. Pull the head, take a look at the HG for signs of coolant/oil moving where it shouldn't, then check the head for flatness.

Be aware that if the head is too warped (past the service limit) you're going to need a new head. This is also applicable if the head has been surfaced before, and they're needing to take off more material than the factory suggests. A good machine shop will be able to tell you this though.

 

[Whitetal]

Ok I took the head off. Checked it for warping but it seems to be strait. Can't find any warping on the head and block. Someone said earlier about the oil filter housing mixing the oil and coolant. How can I check if this is happening? I'm taking the head to a shop. They said they can pressure test to see if it's cracked.

 

[kronus]

Ok I took the head off. Checked it for warping but it seems to be strait. Can't find any warping on the head and block. Someone said earlier about the oil filter housing mixing the oil and coolant. How can I check if this is happening? I'm taking the head to a shop. They said they can pressure test to see if it's cracked.

Did you straight edge the head or just 'look.' Have the shop check for flatness as well. If you over tighten the oil filter housing, you could potentially crush the cooler which would introduce coolant into your oil and vice versa.

 

[Whitetal]

I put the head down on the concrete to see if it'll sit flat and it did. Just kiddin. Of course I used the strait edge. I also strait edged the block as well. Head and block seem to be ok. Measured crisscross and diagonal at every spot possible on the surfaces. Took to an auto machine shop near by. These guys are the coolest. They'll answer all your questions you need. They don't act stuck up like most shops or mechanics. He quoted $45 for resurface. Nice. I expected like $100. Well after he looked at it, he said it's been resurfaced already to it's minimum and he believes there is a crack so he told me to just look for another head and not to waste money on this head.

I have an extra good 1G head sitting around. Could I possibly use that?

Is there a difference between a non turbo and turbo head? I would think that they are the same. I know that block is different because compression and all but is a turbo head stronger or something. In case I can't use my 1G turbo head and can't find a 2G turbo head, I'll look for a non turbo 2G head.