Blown Head Gasket maybe?????

[Fleetwoodmatt]

I was going to buy this Sedan Deville with a 4.5 for $200 as a parts car for my 85 fleetwood, but when i drove the car which i thought the engine was not working, it seems to drive pretty good, but the engine gets really hot quickly, and after filling the radiator with water, it was bubbling in the coolant overflow tank while idleing. Could the head gasket be blown, and forcing pressure into the cooling system? i know a compression check would probably tell me this, but i dont have the car yet, and i did not want to drive it over 40 miles if it is blown and screw the block up.

[Adumb]

i think a blown head gasket would cause a leak out the tailpipe, so check the tailpipe next time you idle the car,

[illumina]

Originally Posted by Fleetwoodmatt

I was going to buy this Sedan Deville with a 4.5 for $200 as a parts car for my 85 fleetwood, but when i drove the car which i thought the engine was not working, it seems to drive pretty good, but the engine gets really hot quickly, and after filling the radiator with water, it was bubbling in the coolant overflow tank while idleing. Could the head gasket be blown, and forcing pressure into the cooling system? i know a compression check would probably tell me this, but i dont have the car yet, and i did not want to drive it over 40 miles if it is blown and screw the block up.

If there is backup in the coolant recovery tank like you say, then there is mosty likely a blown head gasket.

That said, for $200.00, I would buy it and fix that one up. It wouldn't cost a whole lot to repair the head gaskets and such, especially if you'ree good at mechanical work.

Originally Posted by adumb

i think a blown head gasket would cause a leak out the tailpipe, so check the tailpipe next time you idle the car,

There are usually water droplets from the exhaust irregardless of a blown head gasket or not. But if the car is blowing an excessive amount of water vapor (white smoke), then it would likely be the cause.

[guidematic]

You can also remove the plugs and inspect them. If coolant is getting into the cylinders, the plug(s) will be white, or wet with coolant. Also, you can put a preaaure tester on the rad. leave it on for about 1/2 hour and check bleed down. Then, if you bump over the engine, and coolant is getting into a cylinder, it will blow it out the hole.

Also, compression leaks into the cooling system will leave a very distinct odour. It's hard to describe, but it is quite pungent. Anyone familiar with this wil recognise it right away. You can usually smell it right away when you remove the cap.

Remove the oil fill cap and check for any brownish sludge in the engine. If you remove the dipstick and the oil is a brownish colour, similar to mushroom soup, then coolant is getting into the oil.

Mike

[Fleetwoodmatt]

If it is the head gasket, what would need to be replaced, apart from the head gaskets? what other gaskets would need replacing, would the head bolts need replacing too? any help would be appreciated.