What are easy ways to determine if head gasket is blown on a 1993 Acura Legend?

Question

While warming up the engine does not release heat until temp gauge reaches H and then the tstat opens and heat pours in. While driving above 2000 rpm the heat keeps coming in, but when I slow or stop the heat vanishes and the gauge goes up to H only to repeat the cycle. There is a slight smell of antifreeze coming through the vents only after coming to a stop after highway driving, then it disapears. It has a new radiator. I had the tstat replaced and the system was flushed, but I haven't had a chance to drive it longer than 15 minutes. It didn't have any symptoms for that short drive and heat was coming out as the gauge was going from C to the middle line. Were the symptoms because of a bad tstat or is the head gasket blown?
Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Check your oil for a milkshake looking film on the dipstick.
Look in the radiator to see if oil is on top of the coolant.
Start the engine with the radiator cap off, and if it shoot coolant to the hood (while up) then you have a blown head gasket.

Answer 2

As long as the engine runs smooth with no loss of power, you don't have to worry about the head gasket.
An engine runs cooler on the road because air is being forced around the engine and radiator as you drive. For this reason, the fan either slows down or shuts off. When you stop, the cool air stops, so the fan comes on and forces air thru the radiator and around the engine.
Now, you had a new radiator and thermostat installed, and the engine was flushed out. Good, now did it overheat before this work was done? If yes, the shop didn't correct the cause of the problem. Did you ask them to correct the problem or did you simply tell them what to do? Is it in writing?
If no, the engine didn't overheat, but you thought with so many miles on the car, it should be done, then they caused A problem where no problem had existed before. They are then responsible for any repairs needed.
.
possible causes:
1) they didn't connect the fan or re-connected it improperly. You can see for yourself, the connector is near the fan motor on the radiator.
2) they blew a fuse when re-connecting the fan motor and the fuse needs to be reset or replaced.
3)it's possible that some gunk released from flushing has remained behind to jam the thermostat.
4) the thermostat has been installed upside down. Running the engine at high speed forces coolant thru the bypass and around the thermostat for better flow. At idle, the flow rate is much lower and overheating results.
5)Spilled coolant was left on surfaces that get hot, and this causes an ordor. Sloppy work guys.
6)there might be a leak around the thermostat housing. Very sloppy work guys.
You can check the fuse and connector yourself, and if that was the problem, tell the shop what happened. Tell them to go back to school and learn the basics!

Answer 3

when you start the car up does a cloudy-like fog look comes out the exhaust pipe. check the motor oil and see if it has a milky -like look. if it's milky looking water is mixing in the oil. a sure sign of a blown head gasket.

Answer 4

Depends. Is the rest of the car in good shape? Low mileage? Do you like it? If you said yes to all, then fix it. If there are several other things that need to be fixed, if the car has 200k, or if you hate it and want a new car, then get a new car.

Answer 5

if theres white steam coming out the tail pipe or theres water in the oil.

Answer 6

If you sometimes smell antifreeze it's probably the heater core.

Answer 7

I bet your gasget is blown only if the oil stick is milky. or you may have a stuck ring ..that will cause blow by blue and black smoke. will foul plugs also. if it is blow by gas will mix with oil.

Answer 8

Low coolant level.

Answer 9

Are there signs of water loss if not then it is the old thermostat that is faulty.