Help! Boost Leak Test Results

[rstray]

Ok so i just did a boost leak test, and hears what i got....When i pressurized the system i got bubbling in the motor area, and then my radiator cap was hissing...someone please help me here. I dont know what to do now. Also, when i pressurized the system, my boost gauge didnt move. I hope thats not bad...someone please tell me whats going on with my car. I also seem to have some rattling near the timing/serp. belt. any ideas? Let me know what you guys think...thanx!

 

[rstray]

ok, well i did another boost test without the coolant lines hooked up to the tb, and i still got the bubbling in the motor. So I reconnected the coolant lines and pressure tested the coolant system....thats when i heard air from the motor....so i called a friend of mine who is a retired mechanic, and he's 100% sure its the head gasket. So i ordered one and now im looking for some instructions on how to change it....anyone know where i can find instructions for changing a head gasket???

 

[rstray]

Did another compression check....all cylinders at 120! I am hoping this is due to a leaking head gasket....I will be tackling that project in the next day or two. Does anyone have a good place to get detailed instructions on how to change a head gasket...or any tips, trick, or problem spots you might know of? Let me know...I appreciate everyones help!

 

[ddavisaf]

Sounds like a warped head to me. Make sure you get it milled when you remove it. Your service limit is 121 on that car so something is not right. Either rings or a headgasket.

 

[rstray]

Heres what i dont get, and neither does my mechaninc....why are all 4 cylinders at the service limit???? I mean what are the odds that all 4 rings went bad at once? if the head gasket was leaking it would most likely only show up in 2 maybe 3 cylinders...im taking the head out tomorrow....really sux cuz it was just redone 10k miles ago...

Another funny thing is that my car hasnt overheated....??? Im clueless at this point...i guess ill find out more when i get the valve cover off and the head out. Could it be possible that the head studs just need to be retorqued after a certain amount of time? Like i said the head was just redone 10kmiles ago....and i know it hasnt been in the shop for anything since then...

oh well, ill post back after the valve cover is off and the head is out. ill try and snap some pics..

 

[rstray]

i thought that i might add that my plugs looked great when i pulled them out for the compression test. Lately i havent been getting the gas milage that i used to get, and my car seems to declerate very quickly when im off the gas. Could there be a vacuum line issue? Let me know what you guys think....

 

[ddavisaf]

You're supposed to retorque the head after you do a headgasket. Usually after 500 miles though.

 

[Wing0tj]

have you checked the condition of the coolant? ie is there oil in the coolant of vice versa, that might help you narrow down the problem. I just blew my HG and I had no overheating no smokeing or anything... just bad compression numbers and oily coolant mix throughout.

 

[rstray]

ill try retorqueing the head....coolant looks dirty, but still green. not really like oil...

Hey Wing...i see you live in cedarburg...could we maybe get together and you could take a look to see what you think? Im in germantown...Also, since u just did ## head gasket could you give me some pointers? let me know. ill pm you my cell#

 

[SlowboyCSE]

A friend of the shop named Paul recently called in with compression numbers that were going down hill quickly. The way the numbers were dropping, 10-20 psi a week, we guessed head gasket.

The cause... Semi low charge in the battery. Hooked up a booster battery, engine cranking came back up to speed, and compression numbers came way back up closer to what he had hoped for. Just tossing that out there since an old timer always told me to use a good battery or starter box to keep things consistent, but the little things always seem to bite ya when your laying under the car

Cragger

 

[rstray]

ill definately check into it. im looking for anything at this point.

 

[rstray]

Ok guys new info for you...I charged the battery overnight, and ran another compression test. cit cam up a little bit. all 4cylinders are right around 130. I also ran another boost test. I still have the bubbling in the motor. As i pointed out earlier i was having some oil push out of the oil cap. so i went out and bought a new oil cap. still leaking oil out of it! so my conclusion is that there is too much crankcase pressure. and the only reasons i can think of are a bad pcv or a leaking head gasket. so if anyone knows something else please let me know!


thanx

 

[oldman]

You need to break things down a little bit, I'll try and organise it but I have some questions.

1. Crankcase: How are pcv and breather vales routed? Stock locations or VTA/catch can.

2. Compression test : Are all tests done with the car fully warmed up, throttle fully applied and battery fully charged? The first set of numbers on page one were in the 150s, what happen between that test and the second which yielded 120s? Always verify result with another known good tester when differences between cylinders are little to none.

3. Coolant/HG: Are the coolant and oil mixing? When you boost leak test you see bubble in coolant and when you pressure test the coolant, you hear bubbling in the motor, is that right?

4. Boost leak test : You said you hear bubbling in the motor as well as seeing bubbles at the radiator cap, Is that right? Do you think the bubbling sound is from the oil pan/oil return line area or do you think it's related to bubbling in the coolant.

5. I'm sure this has been covered already, What lead you to the pressure test? Was the car smoking? What happen before all the problems started?