What are some symptoms of a blown head gasket, besides white smoke?

Is there a way to diagnose the problem without removing the head?

On May 20, 8:39 pm, Ears <bubblegumgori... (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote:
The exact symptom depends on where the head gasket blows. If it blows
between an oil jacket and the cylinder you will have blue smoke and
low oil pressure, possibly some pre-ignition knocking, and fouled
spark plugs. If it blows between the oil jacket and the outside of
the block you will have an oil leak and low oil pressure. If it blows
between the coolant passage and cylinder you have white smoke, mis-
firing, fouled/damaged plugs, and if there is enough coolant in the
cylinders then you can bend the rods/damage pistons. If it blows
between the cylinders you won't get the typical smoke rather you will
get a severe cross fire. The car will fight itself and sound like a
lawn mower. Everyone points to white/blue smoke but that is only if
you are getting coolant/oil in the cylinder.

On May 20, 8:39 pm, Ears <bubblegumgori... (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote:
Leak down testing can accurately diagnosis a head gasket

On May 20, 10:39 pm, Ears <bubblegumgori... (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote:
The very earliest symptom of a blown head-gasket is pressure in the
cooling system even after the car is dead-cold. So, if you remove the
overflow tank cap and it gives a distinct *POP*, then the gasket is
blown.

Also as another mentioned, a leak-down test.

Consider also that all the symptoms described elsewhere could be due
to a warped or cracked head, this due to overheating or running with
low coolant. So, if you do have to remove the head to replace the
gasket, check it for "flat" and for any cracks. Don't want to be the
bearer of bad tidings, but don't 'assume' in this case.

Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA

check to see if there is HC(hrdrocarbons) in the coolant bottle. Test with
gas analyzer.


"Ears" <bubblegumgorilla (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

On May 21, 3:14?pm, "news.wildblue.net" <w... (AT) asdmonline (DOT) net> wrote:
I just replaced a head gasket on a 94 golf because of no compresion,
the head was warped so I had it shaved and tested. I think there was
other damage. dose the "in 02 " that comes up on the dash milage
display? it started first try but shut down and would not start
again. I have alreadt checked power at injectors, and spark at plugs.
I also have fuel at the end of fuel rail (7mm screw)

interested in any ideals. thanks

Mario
V.W.resto.

Talk about a hijacked thread! lol

The "in 02" will be a mileage activated reminder to have a service done to
the vehicle.

Is this a 2.0 engine?
So are you getting spark, fuel and compression?
How do the spark plugs look? Wet and black?
I would suspect that ign coil and ONLY replace it with one from the dealer.
The aftermarket ones I have seen may last anywhere from 1 week to 1 year but
all of them I have seen fail. :-(
I am told that the Engine Speed Sensor goes out a lot on the 2.0 engines. I
don't think that I have had to change one yet except on a VR6, but must have
changed 6-8 ign coils for the various 2.0 engines.
--
later,
dave
(One out of many daves)

<Kafertoys (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

On 21 May 2007 20:11:52 -0700, Kafertoys (AT) aol (DOT) com wrote:

claims that unless you align bore the cam you have the cam running in
an unantural, un-engineered situation which should cause extreme wear
of the cam caps and resultant loss of oil pressure as the tolerances
increase.