Blown head gasket?

[Realspool]

I just installed a Te-44 turbo on my car.The question is I am hearing a ticking type noise near the bottom of the turbo or the exhaust manifold on the same side.I hope it is an exhaust leak, because under full throttle the cars bucks especially after a light launch ,but it starts to buck around 40 mph 17lbs of boost and at full throttle.I take the oil dipstick out and no coolant or water is on it.I was thinking is it rare to blow a head gasket and the coolant staying at the same level,not losing coolant,doesnt get in to the crankcase.Can this still be a head gasket problem?

 

[Realspool]

Well i took the car out tonight for about 20 minutes.There still is a ticking noise at idle which i hope was a exhaust manifold leak.I went in side for an hour or two.I went back outside to check the coolant level and yes it was lower.I do not know where the coolant went.I don't see any coolant on the dipstick or leaking anywhere.One other thing is I had the heater on for the defrosters and it barely blows air to the windshield and it is not hot air not even warm and this has been progressively worse each winter.Could this be something lowering my coolant.Man, i just don't want it to be the head gasket.I think I actually smell the coolant while running my car.

 

[NC87GN]

You can push out a headgasket and it not leak coolant. It can blow between firing ring or out the side. Do not run the car if it is a possibility. Do a quick leakdown and see if all compression is within 10%. As an example you will see something like 145, 150, 148, 30!, etc. HTH

Mike Banas
87GN

 

[Realspool]

Thanks alot Mike for the advice. Ray

 

[AirBuick]

You also could be consuming coolant in the combustion process and all you know is you have to add coolant regularly. Sometimes the water works its way (by a compromised portion of the gasket) from a water jacket into the cylinder and it won't get into the oil. If it leaks enough water into the cylinder when the car is just sitting, when you go to start the car, you'll get momentary hydrolock from the coolant in the cylinder and the engine pauses (is locked) before turning over. Watch the coolant level and look for white smoke upon startup. This has happened to me several times and am hoping you won't be going thru it.

 

[Realspool]

Actually tonight i threw in the towel and had to admit, i blew a head gasket. At 2 oclock this morning i went out to take the spark plugs out to see if 1 of them was wet.But before i did that i opened the passenger door to pull the lever to open the hood and noticed that the floor on the passengers side was soaking wet.I knew i smelled antifreeze when i took the car out earlier in the night but i thought it was outside the car.I then took out my flash light and on a piece of paper was green coolant and alot of it all over the floor.That explains the loss of my antifreeze.Now is there such a thing as blowing a head gasket and it spilling into the car.I have to say one thing since i bought this car.The heater,defroster never worked well(9 years ago) and now it only blows cold air when i have in on hot.Before it could melt the ice on the windshield but still was never hot but is was warm at least last a year ago.Something is definately wrong with the heater no doubt.Maybe that ticking sound i thought was indeed header leak?Any opinions on this would be great.

 

[Topjimmy]

Replace the heater core first, no way a blown head gasket could pee on your carpet. You may have gotten lucky Do a search for heater core, lots of good information here.

HTH - Jimmy

 

[Hawaiian Turbo]

Yes, sounds like your heater core went. You can block it off, or get a cooling system pressure tester to check it. Mucht better than a HG, IMO. Of course we don't use our heaters here in Hawaii.

 

[Realspool]

Yeah Jimmy I think your right about the heater core since the car is 16 years old.The middle top passenger side rug is soaked green. Is there anything else that would make it leak antifreeze there?Hopefully it is the heater core like you mentioned.Thanks alot for adding to this post. Ray

 

[Realspool]

I love white t-types.I wish i didn't get mine painted black.Nice pics of yor car hawaii guy.Hope you guys are right about the heater core.I live in Pa. and i drove it last night for 20 minutes and i could not see a dam thing.I had to wipe the windshield every 5 seconds to see anything.No heat comes from the defrosters just a light cold air. Thanks with your replies. Ray

 

[soonergn]

The heater core is the only reason coolant comes into the car so there's no doubt that's the source of the leak. Mine leaks too and I've been too lazy to replace it. Just slide your temp control to cold and the coolant will stop flowing through the heater core until you can fix it. The leak will also cause the inside of your windows to fog up BIG TIME. Since you don't have heat anyway, leaving the temp control on cold should stop this as it does on mine. Just bundle up and keep an ice scraper handy for the outside.

 

[Realspool]

I just ordered a heater core today along with a herater valve.Man I thought I was looking through 6 inches of ice last night driving it.It was dangerous.I never ever replaced a heater core before.Is it under the hood of the car?The guy i bought it from said it was under the hood, and should take me about an hour and a half.Is it that easy???

 

[Race Jace]

definately replace the heater core as there is a problem there. I would still do a compression or leakdown test to check for a blown HG. Your head gasket could of blown pressurising your coolant system thus blowing your heater core.

hope this helps

 

[Realspool]

I didn't know a head gasket could blow out the heater core.I still have that ticking noise near the bottom of the turbo or near the front exhaust manifold nearest to the turbo unless like you suggest maybe a head gasket noise.Thanks for your suggestion.Probably have to do a leak down test.

 

[Hawaiian Turbo]

You'll have to remove the upper half of the A/C,heater box. Remove the blower motor first, then a couple of 10 mm and 9/32 bolts. Be careful when prying it apart, the dum-dum has probably been there for awhile. YOu'll also have to remove the deck under the windsheild. There is a small bolt on top of the core, and it SHOULD slide out.

HTH, and thanks for the compliments

 

[Realspool]

Thanks alot for your information.When i install it it will help.I should get the heater core today but I am going to do a compression test instead on the engine first because I have heard that a blown head gasket can blow out the heater core.Im praying the HG is ok but i think it is blown but I always think of the worst. Ray

 

[bishir]

If you're worried about swapping your heater core email me and I'll send you something that should be very helpful to you.

James