2006-11-21 20:48:40 · 6 answers · asked by matthew w 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I asked my boyfriend for you, and he said VERY soon. He also said some other stuff, but I have censored it.
He did state there IS a reason we have thermostats.......
2006-11-21 20:53:04 · answer #1 · answered by Ambience 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's really a difficult question to answer because of the possible variences in the driving and terrain. I just got rid of an iold chevy truck that had a cracked head. It had been driven that way for quite some time a few years at least. You need to re-install the thermostat so the engine will atleast get up to operating temperature. What you can do to get more mileage out of it is loosen the radiator cap. Instead of cranking it all the way closed just tighten the cap to the first detent.
There are also radiator sealants out there that will work for a time on cracked heads. Bars leaks is one of the best most good auto parts stores will have it.
The problem with the cracked head is the crack will only get worse due to thermal stress. the constant heating and cooling of the engine will work the metal back and forth causing the crack to increase. I realize it may be a little hard the visualise but the whole engine does expand and contract when hot and cold although just a tiny bit it's still enough to work the crack.
Depending one what the head is made of, cast iron or aluminium ther are ways to repair the head but it takes a good automovtive machine shop to do that.
It might not be a bad idea to see if there are any salvage yards around in your area that might have a head for your engine and you could possibly swap the head out. I'd get a machine shop to check the head before i put it on though to make sure it's not warped or cracked. They can check for cracks through magnafluxing which uses an electro magnet,graphite spray and iron filings it's a neat trick that works pretty good
2006-11-22 09:24:30 · answer #2 · answered by tracysw100 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How long would it take you to over heat if your body was unable to retain any water. On the other hand if it is a slight crack and you drive it like you "didn't" steal it you might get some miles out of it. Remember that head (and gasket) problems do not fix themselves and the problem is going to get worse. Do not rely on that car any more. Unfortunately fixing your problem, is so labor intensive that it's probably the most expensive "repair" out there. Good luck to you and next time buy a chevy. %)
2006-11-22 05:57:06 · answer #3 · answered by quitbeing 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow, hard to awnser, it won't take long, i have to assume this thing is on its last legs and will be melted down to make new kia's soon , so if you need to cripple this beast along , restrict yourself to short trips, when it's cool loosen the rad cap, this will help lower the pressure in your cracked area but will consume coolant, carry water and top it off every time you start a trip
2006-11-22 12:50:06 · answer #4 · answered by sterling m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not long as you will be loosing yourcoolant. Also your power will be falling off. Maybe 5 to 10 miles. Have a fun day.
2006-11-22 06:08:58 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the problem is the coolant will be mixing with your oil and breaking it down as well as it getting hot you pushing it trying to drive it you might still be able to get it repaired but if you try to drive it you might render it unfixable
2006-11-22 17:39:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋