Testing For Blown Head Gasket With The Pico Scope
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Date: 2020-08-05
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Comments and reviews: 10
spelunkerd
That's a creative idea, look for early rise in coolant pressure. My first thought was normal pressure is 10psi, however that only builds AFTER the coolant is warm enough to produce a tiny head of steam inside the closed space. So, we can run the system with cap off to burp for about 10 minutes, 0 psi while cranking, for sure. The backyard way to look for a gross leak would be to crank with coolant at the brim, cap off and watch for the bubbly fountain, ha ha. However if thermostat is closed, engine cold, it may take a while. I'm a little surprised you got a brisk pressure rise with thermostat closed.
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That's a creative idea, look for early rise in coolant pressure. My first thought was normal pressure is 10psi, however that only builds AFTER the coolant is warm enough to produce a tiny head of steam inside the closed space. So, we can run the system with cap off to burp for about 10 minutes, 0 psi while cranking, for sure. The backyard way to look for a gross leak would be to crank with coolant at the brim, cap off and watch for the bubbly fountain, ha ha. However if thermostat is closed, engine cold, it may take a while. I'm a little surprised you got a brisk pressure rise with thermostat closed.
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Kingy
Why not just use a combustion leak detector on the radiator? I've used the Napa Auto Parts Leak Detector Kit to diagnose hundreds of head gaskets in the radiator shop I ran. Simple: Fluid turns from blue to yellow when a combustion leak is present. There is no better way to diagnose a head gasket in my opinion.
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Why not just use a combustion leak detector on the radiator? I've used the Napa Auto Parts Leak Detector Kit to diagnose hundreds of head gaskets in the radiator shop I ran. Simple: Fluid turns from blue to yellow when a combustion leak is present. There is no better way to diagnose a head gasket in my opinion.
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Ted
So sad, folks that can least afford a loss like this. The inability or ignorance to perform simple maintenance results in the loss of transportation. Guess they will by another beater and do the same to it. Grast Video Eric, nice to see another way to diag a blown head gasket. I have stepped off my soapbox.
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So sad, folks that can least afford a loss like this. The inability or ignorance to perform simple maintenance results in the loss of transportation. Guess they will by another beater and do the same to it. Grast Video Eric, nice to see another way to diag a blown head gasket. I have stepped off my soapbox.
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Alan
Well at least they did not cool it off with ice cold water.
The slow ramp could be a mild head gasket leak or toasty cylinder leak. I would expect a larger leak. Need to compare to known bad. Hahah!
Another test would oil analysis at Blackstone Labs. They would see the antifreeze in the oil!
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Well at least they did not cool it off with ice cold water.
The slow ramp could be a mild head gasket leak or toasty cylinder leak. I would expect a larger leak. Need to compare to known bad. Hahah!
Another test would oil analysis at Blackstone Labs. They would see the antifreeze in the oil!
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RC
I automatically assume the head gasket blew when they over heat. It almost sounds like timing issues with that cranking. I always press the issue that when the needle goes in the read, the head gasket is dead. Also the head is WARPED because of it. Yes, dead engine. Replace engine.
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I automatically assume the head gasket blew when they over heat. It almost sounds like timing issues with that cranking. I always press the issue that when the needle goes in the read, the head gasket is dead. Also the head is WARPED because of it. Yes, dead engine. Replace engine.
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Alan
Parts that are probably nuked! Catalytic converters. Expensive! Oxygen sensors. Spark plugs! Lower crank bearings! Expensive. Warped heads more expensive stuff. Why drive it overheating? Hate the car?
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Parts that are probably nuked! Catalytic converters. Expensive! Oxygen sensors. Spark plugs! Lower crank bearings! Expensive. Warped heads more expensive stuff. Why drive it overheating? Hate the car?
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Otis
The waveform looks like it shows every cylinder uniquely contributing to the overall pressure build. It looks like a six bar commutator with a unique signature. I'd say that's pretty skookum.
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The waveform looks like it shows every cylinder uniquely contributing to the overall pressure build. It looks like a six bar commutator with a unique signature. I'd say that's pretty skookum.
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dwoodog
Even though I love the videos, sometimes I feel you breeze over the for dummies part, So how did we tell by looking at a graph that goes from 0-5 PSI it need a head gasket?
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Even though I love the videos, sometimes I feel you breeze over the for dummies part, So how did we tell by looking at a graph that goes from 0-5 PSI it need a head gasket?
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Redd
Another case of Maybe, if I ignore the problem, it'll heal itself syndrome. Oh well, it's worth 125 at the wreckers. The guy will get another car and croak that one too.
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Another case of Maybe, if I ignore the problem, it'll heal itself syndrome. Oh well, it's worth 125 at the wreckers. The guy will get another car and croak that one too.
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Boris
Interesting test. Would be interesting to see the same test on another known good car just to see how much pressure is built via a water pump itself.
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Interesting test. Would be interesting to see the same test on another known good car just to see how much pressure is built via a water pump itself.
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