Questions

[vampyr]

Ok I have been debating on posting this or not but... Here goes.

I just purchased a 1997 3.8 Auto that was reported to have a bad head gasket. Car needs some additional work but I figured Hey for 900.00 out the door I cannot complain. I looked at the car on the lot and could not find ANY sif a blown head gasket. I did find signs of an overheat in the past, a water leak and a power steering leak. I started the car on the lot and it ran OK, a little rough butr nothing I could not handle. Purchased the car and drove it the 35 miles home, NO issues on the road other than loosing water and power steering fluid.
Got the car home and up on the ramps it went. I got to looking around it and found that the water leak was from the coolant bypass tube, $4.00 and about an hour work and that is now fixed. No more loosing water that I can tell. I tried to run a compression test on it the other day and I ma having trouble getting the hose from the guage to seal properly in the number 3 cylinder (any tricks?) I am going to try again this weekend.

OK so after that long back story here is the question. As I stated I am not seeing ANY signs of a head gasket leak. No nasty oil or water no smoke nothing. Car has a random misfire and an egr code but nothing else. What are the chances that I just got REALLY lucky and the head gaskets are fine? Also if I do have to change the head gaskets can I get away with just a gasket set or am I going to have to mill the heads?

I guess that is it for now. Thanks to all in advance for any advice or assistance on this one.

[cam98aro]

Re: Questions

if the car overheated like you said, your heads are probably warped

you really need to do a compression/leakdown test to see what is going on.. the previous owner most likely thought the leak was the headgasket and got rid of the car

[vampyr]

Re: Questions

I agree with the compression test (this weekend hopefully). I am hoping that the previous owner was not a total moron and ran it hot. I think it lost the water pump and over heated. the waterpump has been replaced and there was antifreeze stains on the hood blanket and around the overflow bottle. We shall see. Any thoughts on an easy way to get to the hard to reach plug holes?

Thanks for the reply.

[espey_16]

Re: Questions

Yeah, headers lol.

[vampyr]

Re: Questions

If I could afford them I would.

[Rob Bell]

Re: Questions

If the compression test is non-conclusive I would suggest one of those test kits that detects hydrocarbons in the coolant. If that test shows up negative, then I'd watch for coolant appearing in the oil. Check the oil level frequently to see if it goes up. I don't know how long it takes for coolant to make the oil appear milky. When my other car blew its headgasket, it dumped a ton of coolant into the oil. I drove it home (40 miles) without issue and changed the oil right away. It was not milky or anything.... there was just a lot more of it.

[venom3300]

Re: Questions

wooohooo someone else from sc... just had to say that lol

[adrummer02L78]

Re: Questions

In order to have warped heads that car would have to be run at overheating temperature for a decent amount of time, I'm talking serious heat. I highly doubt that the heads are warped

[nascar24jd]

Re: Questions

If the compression test is non-conclusive I would suggest one of those test kits that detects hydrocarbons in the coolant. If that test shows up negative, then I'd watch for coolant appearing in the oil. Check the oil level frequently to see if it goes up. I don't know how long it takes for coolant to make the oil appear milky. When my other car blew its headgasket, it dumped a ton of coolant into the oil. I drove it home (40 miles) without issue and changed the oil right away. It was not milky or anything.... there was just a lot more of it.

I would do exatly as stated by Rob. Perfect write up.

[vampyr]

Re: Questions

I agree I just wanted to get some input on it. I am going to get a compression test if it will ever stop raining long enought for the ground to dry out. I will update after that. Thanks all

[vampyr]

Re: Questions

OK after compression testing this weekend I found that I have a blown head gasket. Blown between the number 1 and 3. I got the head off of that side and sure enough... So I am in the process of removing the other head. Once again fighting the rain in SC. I also discoverd that both intake gaskets were shot... I am going to take the heads to a local shop and have them tested. I know that this next question is VERY locational but, does anone have any idea how much it should cost me to have the heads checked and milled if needed?

[EarlR]

Re: Questions

OK after compression testing this weekend I found that I have a blown head gasket. Blown between the number 1 and 3. I got the head off of that side and sure enough... So I am in the process of removing the other head. Once again fighting the rain in SC. I also discoverd that both intake gaskets were shot... I am going to take the heads to a local shop and have them tested. I know that this next question is VERY locational but, does anone have any idea how much it should cost me to have the heads checked and milled if needed?

Any reputable shop should check the heads for nothing. Milling - it's been a while since I just had a set milled, but I would think $80-$100 per head would be in line.

[vampyr]

Re: Questions

Next question is this If only one is warped should I have them both milled so that they stay as matched as possible? Or is milling one OK?

[techsan23]

Re: Questions

If you have to deck one, go ahead and do the other so your not running slightly higher compression on one bank of the engine.

[vampyr]

Re: Questions

That is what I thought... Thanks again to EVERYONE for your contributions and advice..