Methods For Diagnosing Blown Head Gasket, Warped or Cracked Head

In this video I go over some methods that are commonly used to diagnose a blown head gasket or warped cylinder head or cracked cylinder head. In this video these methods are actually employed on a vehicle with a cylinder head gasket leak. The first method used involves using a block tester to check for combustion gasses in the cooling system. The presence of these gasses in the cooling system usually indicates one of the three previously mentioned conditions. (Further diagnosis needed to determine root cause.) The second method discussed was the use of a cooling system pressure tester and a bore scope to check for internal coolant leaks into the cylinders. (Usually leaks can be seen originating from the head gasket inside the cylinder. Further testing and tear down needed to determine root cause.) The third method used in the video involves the use of a compression test. Compression tests allow you to see if there is a difference in compression from one cylinder to the next. Substantial differences in compression from cylinder to cylinder indicates an issue internal to the engine. (Further testing and tear down needed to determine the root cause of concern.) I also briefly explain the uses of a smoke machine in aiding in the diagnosis of the above conditions. I was able to obtain some pretty cool footage of smoke leaking from the smoke machine leaking into the cylinder using a bore scope camera. The fourth method shown in this video is using a cylinder leak down tool. This tool is great in aiding you to determine how much a particular cylinder is leaking and from where the cylinder is leaking. (Further testing and tear down needed to determine root cause.) Finally, after ample data has been obtained by performing above tests, tear down to point of failure is needed. I do tear the engine featured in the video down to point of failure and give a final diagnosis explaining the cause.

Note: It is recommended to perform as many tests as possible gathering as much information as possible about the condition of the engine and where the problem lies before tearing down to point of failure.

Note: This video mainly involves the diagnosis of either combustion gasses leaking into the cooling system from a cylinder into the cooling system or coolant leaking into the combustion chamber from the cooling system.

Note: Head gaskets and cylinder heads can leak externally. This video does not address these types of leaks. Head gaskets can also allow leaks between the oil system and the cooling system as well. This video does not explain this or show how to test for this.

Note: It is recommended to have the vehicle in park with the parking brake applied when performing repairs and or diagnostics for safety purposes.

Discloser: As an Amazon affiliate I make a commission on qualifying sales.

DISCLAIMER
Barbour's Auto Help is not responsible for any damage or personal injury incurred in the process of performing any auto repairs done by you the viewer. Automotive repair is extremely dangerous. Repair your vehicle at your own risk. It is the viewers responsibility to verify all information and procedures as outlined in YOUR REPAIR MANUAL AND OWNERS MANUAL FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Owning and using a repair manual suited for your vehicle is essential for correctly and safely performing ANY repair to your vehicle. Always wear safety glasses and heed all instructions for use applicable to any piece of equipment you may use. Due to circumstances out of the control of Barbours Auto Help, Barbours Auto Help makes no guarantee that by the use of the information given in this video a quality repair will be made. Also, Barbour'sAutoHelp makes no guarantee that the information provided is totally complete, syncronized and accurate. Use the information found in this video at your own risk.

[Noey]

Thank you sir for a very well made and very high quality video. Amazing that you are willing to sink your valuable time to share your knowledge with other folks. Really appreciate it!

[j.chrismcgaugh]

Absolutely amazing video. I suspect I have a blown head...this video is superb in helping me diagnose the problem. THANK YOU!!!

[johnwagner]

This is what happens when you keep driving the car AFTER this issue first began..hydro city.. MAINTAINE YOUR CAR REGULARLY. Good job Keith.

[TheWopper]

Very very well done indeed Keith, excellent detective work! You know your stuff my friend I love motors they are a symphony of awesomeness lol

[richardramon]

Great video and diagnostics. I learned a lot about how to check for warped head and cracked head.

[hyojoonus]

Great video. The smoke test is great. I suspect I have a cracked block, so I was thinking of smoking and pressurizing an empty cooling system and see if smoke shows up from any of the cylinders.

[lvflbkj]

This video is fantastic! We’re working on the same engine. Very helpful. Thank you

[KingAcquisitions]

Excellent video, thank you for posting this.

[corollayanki]

This is amazing! It points me in the right direction. I'm definitely need a leak down tester. I wish I watched this before putting my head back on.

[mamicruz]

How much does a repair like this usually cost? Just took my 2014 Jeep Rubicon into the shop, just hope I’m not getting taken advantage of.

[portagepete]

Before you take the head off you can put air pressure in the cylinder with the valves closed and hear air coming out but this is a good test also.

[Treework]

I had the oil tested, and it shows no water or antifreeze in the oil. But it has high sodium.
If I check the gases in the radiator even though I don’t see any bubbles if I can find a very small leak and if this is a very reliable test ?

[balkee]

I found some yellow residue in my radiator hose. Looks like pollen or mustard. Felt like it had some small runbery bits in it. Any idea what this could be? Ive been told head gasket, been told old corrosive coolant or mixed coolant, or could be some stop leak

[cordelmar]

I took the boat out for a ride and wen I gave it gas the RPMs went to 2500 the engine bog down, I try it again and it did the same thing it went down to 1500 RPM. I m did the blue liquid test and it came out blue, so I guess the head gasket are fine but it did over heat at one point so I m going to try the leak down test next week and see what happens.

[badassg]

So how much did they pay to realize they wanted to give up on the car? That’s alotta work you did.

[franciscomora]

Hi I change my radiator, radiator hoses, water pump, thermostat, and thermostat housing but my car keeps overheading you think my head gasket is blown can you plz shed some light on my situation

[CHEAPROLLIN]

Great video brother. What would have to be done to get those valves better?

[Frankie--da-fixer]

Excellent video Brother, very well explained!Keep up the great work, new Subscriber!!!

Oops I was already Subscribed lol

[robertoudokrapf]

OLÁ. 02/01/23 Meus comentários referem-se ao que vi e não ao que ouvi. Sua "Régua de Precisão" devido ao arredondamento que possui não é a ideal para conferir a planicidade do cabeçote e bloco. O ideal é que tivesse os cantos com 90º. Para conferir a planicidade deve ser usada com inclinação com "luz" de um lado e "sombra" de outro lado. Com a quina diatrimalmente oposta é possível aferir a própria "régua". Não é necessário o uso de "apalpadores" uma vez que as tolerâncias estão abaixo de 0.05mm. Continua...

[robertoudokrapf]

Continuação:... Se observares no vídeo o 1º passe da plaina verás marcas que indicam uma sequencia de "trepidações contínuas" feitas por ocasião de uma Retífica ANTERIOR (que pode até ser de fábrica). O ACABAMENTO FINAL, pelo visto, foi PARCIAL no movimento longitudinal o que não PERMITE deixar VISIVEL o cruzamento DO CÓRTE pois neste caso é inexistente pelo simples fato de uma provável MÁ REGULAGEM (90º) OU DE UMA MÁQUINA DEFICIENTE . Com o uso CORRETO, DE FORMA CORRETA DA "RÉGUA", ao medir a planicidade da LARGURA DO CABEÇOTE NA POSIÇÃO DAS ALGEMAS ENTRE CILINDROS constatarás a falta de PLANICIDADE indicando possível "queima da junta" em data ou quilometragem IMPREVISTA. ABRAÇOS...Roberto Udo Krapf