Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

Its crazy how many "unnecessary" tools I have picked up since I bought this car because they really did become Necessary. :lol:

For example, I bought the tester you quoted, the vacuum refill linked to earlier in the post, and here is my youtube version, though I didn't make it into a real how to which I thought about doing but didn't. A/C vacuum pump, I resisted this one for a long time but when I moved to florida and found that I had to redo my a/c every 5 months because I had a negligible leak ( turned out to be the shrader valve in the R12 fitting) I decided I would get the pump and save money. I had already had the a/c manifold gauges.






I think I have a few other tools but I don't recall them at the moment.

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

One question about using this or bleeding the system. If I take the radiator cap off and run the engine, the coolant will expand when it gets hot. How do you avoid coolant from eventually pouring out of top of the radiator?

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

with the cap open and idle you won't ever overflow it, the expansion is under pressure

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

I thought the expansion causes the pressure when the cap is in place to constrain the expansion. Without the cap I would think the coolant would just freely expand.

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

this isn't a simple explanation, as long as your not reving the engine which causes the waterpump to push harder the coolant does not overflow, so at idle with the cap off even up to "normal" operating temp you won't see boiling, which remember happens at 212F and the temp of the thermostat is 180 even on cars that use a 195 temp t-stat if your idling your not going to boil the water. The cap, and pressure is actually in place to increase the normal boiling point, so as mentioned normal boil is 212F when you enclose the system and let the pressure build (builds because as the water gets hotter the air starts separating out) the pressure forces the water not to boil, at 15 psi, typical oem coolant system the temp inside the engine can get to be 225 and still not boil the water. they also make high pressure systems for race cars, 30 to 50 psi F1 cars run at 265F all day long

here is a website that has some information.

http://automotivemileposts.com/garage/v2n15.html

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

Used the tester. Head gasket is toast. But, also, yes, the coolant will overflow the radiator. I am guessing that exhaust was displacing coolant in the system.

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

How much is a head gasket kit and how many hours for an experienced mechanic to do the job? Also, how much to get the heads machined? Based on what I saw tonight, the leak is bad and I am hoping they can be machined and assuming the will need to he machined if they can be machined.

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

Tony,

Try to give Tom Krynock a call on this (304) 582-6735. He can probably give you more accurate time and cost estimates, machining rates, etc.

The MLS head gaskets by Cometic are .066" thick and a 98mm bore for your stock engine. They run about $230.00 for a pair.

https://www.cometic.com/i-24766993-s...bore-each.html

Since the manifold and heads have to come off, this is the time to do the timing belt and water pump, plugs, PVC, etc if it hasn't been done. Not sure if your rubber vacuum manifold hoses are in good shape.

The complete engine reseal kit is available from Subaru, part number 10105AA060, is about $240.00. Check this post for a list of parts it contains. Cheaper than buying them individually.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...47&postcount=6

Think this repair will be in the $2,000 range, maybe a little more. Probably pulling the engine is the easiest way.

Here is what I paid AWD, Inc. back in 2009 for my Polo engine work with 127,000 miles. YT was charging network members about $65.00/hr. back then.

Subtract about $1,000 for my exhaust work, front axles, etc. from the total.


Check with Jackie at Annapolis Subaru for great prices on parts.
(443) 851-1420.


You can always call me at 410-746-6770.

.

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

I forgot to mention a very strange observation. When I went to do this test and I opened the radiator cap the radiator was under pressure and coolant spilled all over the place. The car had been sitting for nearly two weeks and it was cold. What could cause the coolant to get pressurized and stay pressurized inside the cooling system even after two weeks? Also, if there is a head gasket leak why didn't the coolant eventually seep into the combustion chamber over a two week period? I kept the fluid in the tester and looked at it the other day again and now it looks more blue than it does green so I'm questioning whether or not the test was really a positive.

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

combustion pressure leaks into the coolant system but the leak isn't big enough to let water go the other way, and if there is no where for the pressure to go it stays there. And last the fluid reacts to CO2 and O2, you can actually turn yellow fluid back to blue just by exposing it to oxygen.

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

Interesting on the fluid. Makes sense.

On the pressure, why wouldn't the cap bleed fluid to the overflow tank if there was pressure in the radiator? Maybe it was below the pressure setpoint of the cap? But it seemed like a lot of pressure when I opened the cap. Fluid spit out everywhere!

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

most caps hold 15psi, that doesn't sound like a lot but it is.

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

What is considered the best gasket?

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

.
Tony,

The stock thickness for the Cometic head gasket for the SVX is .066"
Bore is 98mm (stock), 100mm, 102mm are for re-bored cylinders.

The center or shim layer is uncoated stainless steel layer which can be adjusted in thickness to accommodate various requirements. This is in case of excessive head or block resurfacing to restore the original specs and compression ratios. You can have the MLS (multi-layer steel) gaskets made in the following thicknesses:

.027", .030", .036", .040", .045", .051", .056", .060", .066", .070", .075", .080”, .086”, .089", .092”, .095" .098”, .120" and .140"

https://www.cometic.com/i-24766993-s...bore-each.html

Re: Might have a blown headgasket
 

.
Tony,

The stock thickness for the Cometic head gasket for the SVX is .066"
Bore is 98mm (stock), 100mm, 102mm are for re-bored cylinders.

The center or shim layer is uncoated stainless steel layer which can be adjusted in thickness to accommodate various requirements. This is in case of excessive head or block resurfacing to restore the original specs and compression ratios. You can have the MLS (multi-layer steel) gaskets made in the following thicknesses:

.027", .030", .036", .040", .045", .051", .056", .060", .066", .070", .075", .080”, .086”, .089", .092”, .095" .098”, .120" and .140"

https://www.cometic.com/i-24766993-s...bore-each.html

The Cometic head gasket Young Tom replaced in my polo back in 2009 is still perfect.

.