How do I tell if I have a blown headgasket in my 73 Mustang?

Question

It overheats though I've checked everything with the cooling system. (check my previous question for details)

I Have no white smoke coming from the tail pipes, also I have no coolant in the oil. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

1) Fill the cooling system, and the expansion tank (half way)
2) Start the engine.
3) While the engine warms up the coolant will expand and begin to "overlow" into the expansion tank.

4) After 3-4 minutes has passed with the engine idling, look for bubbles to apear in the expansion tank from the small hose comming from the radiator.
If it constantly bubbles, there is a leak in the cooling jacket and exhaust gasses are being pushed into the antifreeze.

If there are no bubbles, you should be fine.

Answer 2

I would suggest doing/have done a compression test of all cylinders. That will be able to determine if the head gasket/cylinder head/engine block is good. It is entirely possible to have a blown gasket/cracked head/block and not have white smoke /oil in AF/AF in oil,if leak is small enough. Also check condition of spark plugs,if they all look the same gasket should be ok,if one or two(next to each other) are clean and the rest have deposits on them,then that is where your leak is. If all look the same,you may need a new thermostat or water pump.

Answer 3

i like Zach's answer myself, or repairing the blown head gasket. yet once you will sell it for areas, sell each and every little thing human beings could purchase. placed the vehicle in the labeled of your community paper as "parting out". Wheels, fenders, doors, hood, engine (definite the undesirable one), transmission, seats and different indoors areas. in basic terms wait a on a similar time as and maximum of those areas will sell, the bigger city you reside in or larger section you promote the vehicle in, the extra stuff will sell. meet up on some Mustang boards and promote it, a number of those adult adult males will make a particularly long-term to get low-fee areas.

Answer 4

You do have a blown head gasket the break is from the cyl. to the water jacket. That is the reason for your exhaust to be white it is steam

Answer 5

Usually, if you have a blown head gasket there will be oil in your anti-freeze and vise-versa.

Answer 6

Why not take it in to Midas and let them check it out or your dealership.
Don't worry you will know when it blows, so will everyone else.

Answer 7

when anti-freeze comes out of your tail pipe or sometimes u cant tell

Answer 8

Have you checked the transmission fluid?

Answer 9

you need a new thermostat [spelling ]