Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

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hg-test.wmv - 5.68 MB. This is 2 videos I made while doing my HG test... Combined into one file.

My test drive to get her warm was a mere 1.9 miles (my "test drive" route)
First leg is a 4 lane with Turning lane, 40mph speed limit, but at 3am at night, I go alittle faster. Second leg is Residential, 30 - 35mph. One big circle

by the time I was less then a few blocks from the house, my temp was reading dead center.

Once I got home, I took a towel and removed the Rad Cap. I am glad I got a towel and not just a small rag ;)

Anyway, I tried filling it up with water, but I had the water pressure from the hose too high, and it just made it go everywhere (which is why at one point in the video, you hear the belt squeak)

After that, I lowered the pressure on my water hose to a trickle, refilled, and did the first test video.

then, turn the car off, refilled (which didn't take much) and did the 2nd test video.

Tell me what you think.... I feel its the HG, but maybe I am wrong? (that would be nice)

Also... if it is the HG... I will be doing it myself. However, It will be the first time I've done any major work to an engine. I will plan to set aside 2 full days (which is all I can get in a row) to do this.

is there a good how-to out there? Do I have to pull the engine out or can I do this with the engine in?

Just point me into the right direction... as I wont let something as small as a Gasket let Calista go down! :lol:

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

From the video, i have no idea if it's the HG's. When you rev the engine, the waterpump spins faster and will cause an open radiator to spurt.

Does it overheat? Do you need to add coolant? What other sympoms are there??

If you're going to do the HG, pull the engine. It can come out in under 2 hours.

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

For safety, you should NEVER open the radiator cap when it is hot!:eek:

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

Before you do anything crazy, go rent or buy a block tester kit. It consists of a hollow tube with a coned rubber plug you stick on top of your radiator cap hole, fill with this blue fluid, and run the engine watching for a change in the fluid color. If it turns yellow, bam, its a HG. Makes diagnosis way easier.

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

These do not work well on our engines. Ask YT why but if I recall its mainly from how our HG leak.

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

Its starting to get hot even comming to work (3/4 or higher on a 15 min drive) however the other day when I was geting my running done.... She was steady on the hot line... Then on the last 3 miles heading home she was in the red.... Then once I stoped at the house she droped back to the hot line before the red.... And I had alot of bubbling in the overflow tank.

Calista is my current daily driver.. So if you need any more info I will provide it when I get home (on break typing from my iPhone)

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

I don't want to be the one to tell you the bad news ; ;...

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

So I will. Your headgaskets are leaking and you need to replace them

Tom

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

:confused: Couldnt a bad thermostat cause the same symptoms?? Id at least have him try that since its cheap and easy before sending him to the executioners block yanking his engine....... When mine overheated from the bad WP, I went into the red and was boiling into my reservoir as well, but my HG are fine, zero issues after i did my plugs.

I mean, unless you WANT to yank your entire engine to reseal it or something.

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

A bad thermostat or water pump will over heat all the time. Once he stops driving and lets it run it cools down... THis is indicative of an air bubble in the coolaning system. Air bubbles are caused by hydrocarbons entering the cooling system by seeping through the headgaskets that are broken down and mushy at this age.

I am not there to diagnose it but from what he has said thus far, the headgaskets need to be replaced

TOm

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

What am I looking to spend on parts? Also while I am there what else should I go ahead and do? Also.... For a first timer... Any good how-to's on pulling the engine and replacing the gaskets?

Also... Timeframe on getting the parts?
Next thurs/fri is my next 2 days off together (or wait another 2 weeks)

I just hope since this will be my first time this deep in an engine... That I won't screw her up... On the other side... It will be great learning for me :)

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

TIming belt, water pump, Thermostat, thermostat gasket, engine seal kit, timing belt idlers. Looking at around $500+ in parts. There is no how-to, kinda just need to know how to do it honestly. Just gonna need the torque sequences and specs you can find in your basic Chilton/Haynes manual

Tom

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

If this is your only transportation and you need her for work, and this is your first time.... I would STRONGLY recommend renting a car for work, 2 days for head gaskets is almost un-doable if you want to do it right. You have to take your time, be thorough, and its a good idea to get the heads machined when you take them off (which could add a day or two to your time). If youre rushed to slap it back together then the likelihood of overlooking something is almost 1 to 1. Just my 2c :cool:

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

ok.... Ouch. Being on a very tight budget isn't good for this.

I know the argument of "you will just have to the the engine out again" etc. But what would be the bare min. That I need?

I might as well take SoCal's advice and rent a car... But to even get that I will have to go with a u-haul or sim. That I can get cheap.

Here soon I will be able to aford more as a new job might be in my future... But until then.... I can't aford much :(

Re: Overheating, First thing to do... try the HG Test.....
 

Bare bones minimum.... lots of labor and a head gasket set. Of course you would definitely want to do valve cover gaskets too since it would be cake while the engine was out.

Im a firm believer in doing the easy stuff first though...... at least buy a new thermostat gasket for 3 bucks and see what your thermostat looks like. Have you seen any evidence of coolant in your oil or vice versa??

The block tester kit works on ALL cars that overheat as a result of HG leak..... or it wouldnt affect your cooling system at all (there would be no compression into cooling system or coolant leaking into cylinders, either way there would be exhaust gasses in the cooling system which the block tester would pick up).

I strongly suggest with limited funds that you eliminate the easy stuff first, you have nothing to lose by checking..... and wait until you are sure its a HG before opening that can of worms.