Overheating - head and/or head gasket

Sep 4th, 2004, 16:34

Hi,
850 Lreg.

I've been suddenly loosing water, then overheating - or the other way around. I started checking for oil in water, water in oil and found nothing. I removed thermostat just in case.

Today I replaced header tank and cap as they looked ready anyway.
Now I have the new clear tank in I can see the water.

When starting the car with the header cap off I imaginged a cracked block / leaking gasket would force air up from the base of the tank. When I found none I thought all ok.

But now I have the new tank and can see water in it clearly I'm noticing that water shoots through the pipe from the top of the thermostat. Trouble is I can see air bubbles in it.

I'm guess something is stuffed somewhere. The tank smell like crankcase vent gases. Does this point to a cracked head or leaking gasket? Or both? Or any other ideas before I rip the head off?

Any info welcome. Also if it comes to an head gasket relpacement can anyone list all the items I ought to replace.

Chers for now,
Colin

sholtby · Sep 4th, 2004, 17:18

Colin,

It does seem like the head gasket has failed between a cylinder and a water passage in the head. Have you got steam comming from the exhaust?
Before you remove the head you should do a compression test on the engine.
If you need to replace any, only use OEM gaskets.

Simon

Sep 4th, 2004, 18:23

Hi Simon,
I've yet to do the comp test. Thats my next move. Don't think theirs team coming from exhaust but I'm off to have a look.
Thanks for the info.

Colin

jazzyr1 · Sep 4th, 2004, 22:06

before you do a comp' test ,do a block test,(the glass tube with blue fluid in it that you rest on top of the coolant tank,reacts to hyrocarbon gas in the tank)if the color goes blue to pale green/yellow,you gotta problem with head or block

Sep 5th, 2004, 14:50

Asked at the autoshop and they'd not got any. Where do you get these from? Are they more of a trade tool?

I'm pretty sure theirs crankcase gases being forced into the water though. I can see bubbles coming from the 3/8ths pipe off the thermostat and when you open the bottle up it smells just like crank gases.

Any ideas on what can cause crankcase gases to build above normal levels?

Cheers,
Colin

Sep 7th, 2004, 13:55

I've made additions to this topic with extra info and questions. I feel it was worth a new topic here:

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/dc/dcboa...topic_id=13037

Sep 4th, 2004, 16:34	#1
ukultra.net Guest Location:	Overheating - head and/or head gasket Hi, 850 Lreg. I've been suddenly loosing water, then overheating - or the other way around. I started checking for oil in water, water in oil and found nothing. I removed thermostat just in case. Today I replaced header tank and cap as they looked ready anyway. Now I have the new clear tank in I can see the water. When starting the car with the header cap off I imaginged a cracked block / leaking gasket would force air up from the base of the tank. When I found none I thought all ok. But now I have the new tank and can see water in it clearly I'm noticing that water shoots through the pipe from the top of the thermostat. Trouble is I can see air bubbles in it. I'm guess something is stuffed somewhere. The tank smell like crankcase vent gases. Does this point to a cracked head or leaking gasket? Or both? Or any other ideas before I rip the head off? Any info welcome. Also if it comes to an head gasket relpacement can anyone list all the items I ought to replace. Chers for now, Colin

Sep 4th, 2004, 17:18	#2
sholtby Premier Member Last Online: May 26th, 2010 20:17 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: north east	RE: Overheating - head and/or head gasket Colin, It does seem like the head gasket has failed between a cylinder and a water passage in the head. Have you got steam comming from the exhaust? Before you remove the head you should do a compression test on the engine. If you need to replace any, only use OEM gaskets. Simon

Sep 4th, 2004, 18:23	#3
ukultra.net Guest Location:	RE: Overheating - head and/or head gasket Hi Simon, I've yet to do the comp test. Thats my next move. Don't think theirs team coming from exhaust but I'm off to have a look. Thanks for the info. Colin

Sep 4th, 2004, 22:06	#4
jazzyr1 ol' member Last Online: Nov 3rd, 2019 16:42 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: highlands	RE: Overheating - head and/or head gasket before you do a comp' test ,do a block test,(the glass tube with blue fluid in it that you rest on top of the coolant tank,reacts to hyrocarbon gas in the tank)if the color goes blue to pale green/yellow,you gotta problem with head or block __________________ ford master tech,drives an 855 t5

Sep 5th, 2004, 14:50	#5
ukultra.net Guest Location:	RE: Overheating - head and/or head gasket Asked at the autoshop and they'd not got any. Where do you get these from? Are they more of a trade tool? I'm pretty sure theirs crankcase gases being forced into the water though. I can see bubbles coming from the 3/8ths pipe off the thermostat and when you open the bottle up it smells just like crank gases. Any ideas on what can cause crankcase gases to build above normal levels? Cheers, Colin

Sep 7th, 2004, 13:55	#6
ukultra.net Guest Location:	RE: Overheating - head and/or head gasket I've made additions to this topic with extra info and questions. I feel it was worth a new topic here: http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/dc/dcboa...topic_id=13037

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