Need Advice. Preparing my 2gnt for a 230 mile trip.

[99OZDSM]

So sometime in the next month I'm making a 230 mile trip and want to make sure my car is in GOOD RUNNING CONDITION and to survive the summer. My car has made this trip once around 95k, and now I'm at 104k.

I posted on 2gnt.com about a month back concerning my 420a's head gasket. Over spring break, I seafoamed my engine, put in NGK bkr6's gapped to .45, NGK wires, mobil 1 oil/oil filter and also fixed an oil leak from my pcv to vc hose. Take note that I'm only a rookie to engine work but am trying to learn. I know I'm still leaking oil, and I also know there is oil coming down the back of the block.

So in order to check for my headgasket (correct me or add input if I'm wrong).

1. CLEAN OFF engine, drive around, look for specific leaks on the back of the block?

2. COMPRESSION TEST (dry and wet), if cylinders #3 and #4 are low its a head gasket leak?

**Also when I changed my oil, there was no signs of coolant mixing with my oil and my coolant overflow was not discolored. But ultimately I would need to do #1 and #2 to find out? Anything else?

**Old spark plugs were ngk bkr5's and weren't corroded, just seemed old and had faint white tips, but metal tips were not deformed if this helps.

Thank you

 

[VelocitàPaola]

2. COMPRESSION TEST (dry and wet), if cylinders #3 and #4 are low its a head gasket leak?

Not necessarily, but possibly. Low compression can be caused by leaks elsewhere than the headgasket. If your compression is low in one or more cylinders, you'll probably need to do a leakdown test to pinpoint the source of the problem; unless, of course, there are telltale signs of a headgasket leak such as coolant mixed with oil.

**Also when I changed my oil, there was no signs of coolant mixing with my oil and my coolant overflow was not discolored. But ultimately I would need to do #1 and #2 to find out? Anything else?

See above.

**Old spark plugs were ngk bkr5's and weren't corroded, just seemed old and had faint white tips, but metal tips were not deformed if this helps.

See here:
2GNT.com Forums - Viewing message

 

[sprmotohooligan]

Make sure you check your oil, tire air pressure, windshield washer fluid level either the night before or the morning before you leave. I always like to clean my windshield by hand before making long trips too.

I'd rather be a little over prepared then under. So I always have a can of fix-a-flat and at least a half a quart of oil in my trunk somewhere. I also just keep my small tool case i n my trunk, b/c I only ever use it for the car. So this way I have pretty much any tool I'll need to do a roadside repair.


*edit: I just noticed you said you have a slight oil leak, I'd keep at least a quart of oil in the car at all times. Check your oil level when/if you pull over for gas or food too.

 

[Shake_Zulla]

I just wanted to add on to Pauls answer. Sometimes you can guess that its a head gasket problem if your compression is low on two of more cylinders but it doesn't have to be numbers 3 and 4. On the 420A block it is common for the gasket to leak in this spot because Chrysler didn't drill the head bolt holes deep enough by cylinder 4 so a lot of times it's the weakest clamping force area of the head (I hope that made sense). A head gasket can leak at any place though, and it can effect the compression of any cylinder. IMO if I showed low on one or more cylinders I would take the head off. I've become fast at it and you can usually see where/if the gasket is leaking plus if it isn't the gasket you can take your head in to get it looked at and with a little more work you can take your block in too.

 

[david-b]

Check all fluids, tires, the usual.

I always brought tools with me. Zip ties too FTW! I drove my NT 800 miles to SC, got it dynoed, tuned, and drove 800 miles back in one weekend. Then turboed it, drove 400 in MN and back another weekend. Same year actually. These cars are strong. One thing I do though is if you stop to fill up for gas, check out everything. When going to SC, I let it sit for a couple min at the station with the hood open, then checked all fluids when it cooled down some.

 

[99OZDSM]

Thanks VelocitàPaola for the spark plug link. Seems that my plugs were in good condition but old.

Ok, thanks guys for all the advice, I appreciate it. So I'm a typical poor college student and need my car for the summer. My car is located in my home town, and I'll only have about a week at the end of the month to work on my car because I have to drive back to Pittsburgh(where I go to school) and work.

I'm trying to do as much research/reading as I can to make sure my car is in good running condition. Plus like I stated before, I never really worked too intensely on my engine. I thought it was beyond me but its amazing how much you can learn just from reading and now I'm addicted I plan on posting my compression numbers at the end of the month to see what you guys have to say.

Also, I plan on doing other various maintenance such as cleaning out my throttle body (assumed its never been done before), changing air filter to a new KN, change fuel filter, flush coolant, flush brakes, and cleaning bugs out of the radiator.

Nonetheless a head gasket job is something I could learn to do but I really do not want to mess around with it myself, without proper guidance. I know a shop would charge me close to 1000 (including labor, head gasket, bolts, timing belt and components, waterpump, would also like to get a afx or unorthodox udp while everything is off also). It might even cost more if my head is warped and fixed up. I will not have this type of money until the middle of summer.

Will the compression test results inform me if it is ok to drive 230 miles with oil leaks?

*Like you guys suggested, I will carry a quart of oil with me, some coolant, fix a flat, and will stop about halfway to check fluids whatever and let the 420a take break with the hood popped.

 

[idomin8-420a]

i had the same problem not too long ago i found that my headbolts were not torqued all the way down thus releasing little oil leaks among my firewall for a moment i thought the cometic headgasket was bad
but good luck on the road the 420's have a bad rep for being friends with tow trucks

 

[Shake_Zulla]

Nonetheless a head gasket job is something I could learn to do but I really do not want to mess around with it myself, without proper guidance. I know a shop would charge me close to 1000 (including labor, head gasket, bolts, timing belt and components, waterpump, would also like to get a afx or unorthodox udp while everything is off also). It might even cost more if my head is warped and fixed up. I will not have this type of money until the middle of summer.

Will the compression test results inform me if it is ok to drive 230 miles with oil leaks?

*Like you guys suggested, I will carry a quart of oil with me, some coolant, fix a flat, and will stop about halfway to check fluids whatever and let the 420a take break with the hood popped.

Head gasket is a pretty big job unless you know what you are doing. It was my first big project when I had my GS and I would save a long weekend for it. Shops are a nice way to go, however, I personally like the joy of doing something myself.

As far as compression results go it will give you a good idea but really anything can happen so it's best just to be prepared and baby your car if you are really worried about it. Good luck.

 

[99OZDSM]

Head gasket is a pretty big job unless you know what you are doing. It was my first big project when I had my GS and I would save a long weekend for it. Shops are a nice way to go, however, I personally like the joy of doing something myself.

I know I can figure it out if I really studied and researched on here and 2gnt. There is a wealth of information on these cars, its great. My main problem is I'm in undergrad right now and am crammed during these last weeks before finals. I honestly am putting in hours studying the 420a when I should be concentrating on school more. I'm hoping my 420a holds up until about mid June, then I'll have nothing to worry about besides going to work and studying cars

I've had this car since I was 16 and thought car engines were unlearnable without proper instruction. Now, at 21, I'm finally realizing I can learn just by reading and watching videos online. Thank God for the internet.

And I'll be sure to baby her on the drive, I always baby her

Goal for this summer is to have all leaks fixed and hopefully can save up for a ATMT swap for next summer.