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Is it head gaskets tho?

1K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  JUGERNAUT 
#1 ·
So I did a pressure test last year and I am building up to 15psi in cooling system when I stomp on it.... my question is I have no puking,no performance issues,no loss of coolant....no anything, so are my head gaskets cooked? What are other symptoms?:dunno:
 
#2 ·
Mine had a slight enough leak that there wasnt any smoke or performance issues. With a mild custom tune I would get to 20 psi, 18 with sct canned performance and 15 or so on stock. Did gaskets and studs a month or so ago and there was soot built up on the block around the cylinders where the coolant is supposed to flow. Definite leak with mine. When you do your test, get it to full temp, then slowly let out all the pressure, then close your cap again. You should be at 0 psi, now do a WOT 0-80, if your pressure builds quickly then youve got a leak. Dont know what you use to check but if you get a T barb and enough hose to zip tie to your mirror, you can use a band clamp around the threads of a dial tire pressure gauge($8 for a 0-40 psi gauge at autozone). Just unscrew the valve stem fitting. Keep the gauge higher than the barb to keep coolant out. After headstuds and gaskets I tried over and over doing a few miles of WOT and couldnt get above 11 psi.
 
#7 ·
I did T off coolant line and had gauge inside the cab, I think I might redo the test and make sure im at operating temp and do it a few times in a row
 
#3 ·
No you don't have failed head gaskets YET. You are still operateing within specs but at the max edge. You are also not showing any of the other symptoms.

You do however have a cooling system problem that needs immediate resoloution.
 
#5 ·
What is the cooling system problem that needs immediate attention? I have ELC cat rated coolant, bulletproof EGR cooler and a year old oil cooler not to mention up till a month ago I had a coolant filter......what should I be concerned about dannyboy?
 
#4 ·
hang on...

15psi is good but there is more to the test then just not exceeding the 16psi limit. most likely your HG are good but.....

1. why did you test them in first place?
2. did the pressure build really fast? or slow gradual rise--fast rise is bad but requires more testing- you want a slow and gradual rise.
3. once you built your pressure pull over and slowly release all the pressure and the fluid will expand and then tighten your cap and drive back home etc... once parked again see if any more pressure built up after the initial pressure release: little to no more pressure should of built up...

p.s. the test is only really accurate when your coolant is above 190 and your thermostat and gauges are working correctly.
 
#6 ·
hang on...

15psi is good but there is more to the test then just not exceeding the 16psi limit. most likely your HG are good but.....

1. why did you test them in first place?
2. did the pressure build really fast? or slow gradual rise--fast rise is bad but requires more testing- you want a slow and gradual rise.
3. once you built your pressure pull over and slowly release all the pressure and the fluid will expand and then tighten your cap and drive back home etc... once parked again see if any more pressure built up after the initial pressure release: little to no more pressure should of built up...

p.s. the test is only really accurate when your coolant is above 190 and your thermostat and gauges are working correctly.[/QUOTE
It was more of a gradual build up, I cant remember if I was at 190 degrees operating temp tho, I don't think I was......the rise happened over roughly 30 seconds if that helps...
 
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