Do i have a blown head gasket?

(2010-05-30 15:51:37) 1. Godin_Detour_Fan Says: I drive a '94 Lancer and it overheated one day due to a leak in the radiator hose. i replaced that hose and the other cooling hoses, but it was still overheating. i found that the thermo fan switch was busted too so i replaced that. The radiator fan works and engages when the temp rises. But it is still overheating. I tried replacing the thermostat and its still overheating. As far as i can tell it isnt the waterpump. so the only other thing i can think of is a blown head gasket. But ive read that some definite signs are loss of power (or rough ride) and a milky colour from coolant getting into the engine. But im not experiencing either of these. Is it possible that its a blown head gasket without these symptoms?

thanks in advance2. Griffin Says: Coolant sensors? You have about 3 different ones to do different things, but I am talking about the common coolant temperature one.

Leak in the radiator itself?

For the sensors, go to a mechanic and run an OPD test. Since its below 1995, you'll have to get it done at a mechanic's since generally they use $4,000 OPD testers rather than O'Reilly's (or anywhere else) $200 OPD that won't fit your 94. Generally mechanics will run them for free since it requires no work really. You see, what happened was they kind of got together and decided that all vehicles from 1995 and on should use the same plug (like iPods use the same cord regardless of generation or iPod variation) instead of what it had been in the past of everyone using different plugs and cords. Anyways... This test will tell you if you have sensors out. YES, POOR/BROKEN SENSORS CAN CAUSE YOUR CAR TO NOT RUN OR RUN POORLY.

As for the radiator, add some water and see if it starts leaking anywhere. Come back in half an hour to see if any leaks were made.


FYI its really hard to JUST blow a head gasket. Without slapping valves or breakin cranks, etc. It would be a much bigger problem. Than just the gasket UNLESS you had a faulty head. Which is still a much bigger problem.

Hope I helped.3. B S Says: if u don't see coolant in cylinder heads and still believe head gasket blown out... it is possible. i suggest doing a compression test on each cylinder head. it should not be less than 120psi. before you decide its headgasket blown4. Scooter Says: Possibly. Your radiator may be clogged. Your water pump may have failed (if there is any play in the shaft once the belt is removed, or if it is leaking, it is bad).
If your oil is a milky color, that indicates that coolant is leaking into the engine, but if there is no evidence of this, you may still have a blown head gasket. Check the compression, but rather than looking for a specific minimum reading, you should look for variance between each cylinder. If the reading is more than 5 lbs psi between the cylinders, you can look to the gasket being blown.
If you have overheated your engine repeatedly, the head itself is most likely warped and will need to be replaced also.
Is it really worth fixing? The car has virtually no book value....and it will require a lot of work.
Sorry to deliver such bad news. Tag: Do i have a blown head gasket?