Head gasket or cracked block/liner

[DeMak]

I've read over a lot of posts on head gaskets. I can't find a definitive answer on how to tell the difference between a bad head gasket and a cracked block (or cracked liner or porous block finally going bad). I have bubbling in the coolant tank and over pressuring the system, so I afraid it is one or the other?

Thanks

 

[jeffro0502]

I think HG, but the only way as far as I know is to pull it apart. I think you can pull the pan and look at the liners to tell if one possibly is slipped a bit.

 

[jrolfedrev]

How many times it overheated?

 

[DeMak]

3 times since I've had it. Never really cooked it, but once it starts going up, it shoots up real quick. I've replaced the radiator and water pump. It's got 162,000 miles and I just don't have the money or time right now to do the head gaskets and the valve job. I'd hate to do that and have it be a cracked block or porous block or cracked lined.....

 

[Steve Rupp]

I think HG, but the only way as far as I know is to pull it apart. I think you can pull the pan and look at the liners to tell if one possibly is slipped a bit.

It's really hard to tell from below. At the point that you're bubbling coolant or blowing white smoke you should pull the heads. You're going to be able to tell real quick with the heads off so you might as well just do it and stop trying to figure if it's something else. The weekend after the 4th I'm pulling an 01 d2 apart to see if it's a gasket or liner. I'm sure it's one or the other but it really doesn't matter. My truck has 150k miles so it's about time for a fresher motor.

 

[Steve Rupp]

It's got 162,000 miles and I just don't have the money or time right now to do the head gaskets and the valve job.

I'd plan to start looking for a decent used motor. My money is on a bad block.

 

[DeMak]

Thanks to everyone. At least I have other cars. I guess I'll wait till I pay off the last of my kids college, then I'll have some money to work with. Another buddy said he'd tear it down and do the valve job. Then if it wasn't the head gasket, he'd have a spare set.

 

[DeMak]

I was watching the masterpull line breaking when I saw this method of testing a block for cracks or leaks. What do you guys think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-NrrCpHhP8&annotation_id=annotation_234714&feature=iv

 

[mbrummal]

you could make the "tools" to do that with some steel plate. Don't buy it.

 

[DeMak]

Yes. I could build that. Easy money, but it's a good idea.

 

[ptschram]

IMO the 3.5/3.9/4/2 are far less prone to liner problems than the 4.0/4.6.

I cooked my 3.9 BADLY and it's still going strong 120K miles later. OK, maybe not exactly strong, but it's still going!

 

[jeffro0502]

I loved my 88 RRC it had a 3.5...best Rover I've had to date. Wished I'd never traded it. It surely wasn't the prettiest thing but by far the most reliable. The guy that ended up with it still has it 10 years later and engine still together.

 

[DeMak]

Is it possible to crack an aluminum block like a cast iron one?