Empty Radiator = Head Gasket Leak??? (1990 Chrysler Van)?

Question

Recently my old van was overheating and we discovered the rad was empty.....this was a shock to me because there was no leaks and the overflow was still full.....so my mechanic did a chemical test and said maybe the head gasket was leaking or cracked.... there would be engine emmisions in the rad and liquid a test tube would turn from blue to green.............. well it went a little bit murky greenish blue and he said yes I had a gasket leak...just starting.. and that it would cost 800 to 1000 to fix

but I dont have that kind of money right now........ and although it seems to be running a bit rough, it otherwise runs ok....no smoke or anything.......................

so....... any idea of how much time she has left?...and what I can do to prolong it?....and are 7 hr road trips out of the question?

Answer 1

As mentioned, look at the oil. If you notice any foaming or light coloration, the water is getting thru the engine and into the oil, this is bad. The chem test on the coolant is not a guaranteed diagnosis so I wouldnt do anything just on that basis.

Fill the radiator and leave the cap off. Start the engine and rev up the engine a little. On my 1990 plymouth 3.3L (and some of the other cars I've had), the coolant level will drop a little when engine speeds up and after idling a minute and warming up the coolant will expand and Slowly climb to the top of the radiator cap port. If coolant shoots out of the radiator when engine is started or you rev it up, or if you get a lot of bubbles, this is most likely a bad head gasket or a cracked block.

Next, pull the sparkplugs and look at them. If a head gasket is leaking, it will be obvious on one of the plugs where the coolant is getting into the cylinder. Also, look at the tailpipe for evidence of water after driving (ignore any moisture you get after first starting the engine, condensation in the exhaust is common until fully warmed up). If you have moisture, especially if it smells like fried coolant coming from the exhaust, it is a problem.

Keep a close watch on it as you continue to use the car. Do you continue to have to top off the water? If so, you need to know where it is going.

I was on a trip across country and pulled off the freeway after several hours and once onto the side streets the engine overheated quickly. I stopped and found the radiator half empty. I'm 1000 miles from home and freaking out. Filled radiator and started driving, seemed ok. Got on the freeway and when I floored it I see a fog behind me. Pulled off the freeway and refilled the radiator, same problem a few miles later. Everything under the hood was dry so I ruled out a bad hose and figured it must be going thru the engine but no moisture in the tailpipe. Now I'm freaked and confused. 40 miles and 5 gallons of coolant later, I finally find the problem, a pinhole leak in heater hose behind engine that would only spray under pressure - directly on to exhaust manifold, making steam and leaving no evidence.

Answer 2

go to another mechanic! and fast! That price is outrageous and if the head gasket is leaking you can see it! There will be liquid or in my car foam looking stuff coming out. At the least you would see some steam/smoke where the coolant leaks onto the hot engine Also, check the oil. does it look normal or is it gray, meaning there is anti freeze mixed it. Another way to tell if the head gasket is leaking. Don't drive it too far. If it is over heating the block can warp. You could get a used but good engine installed for way less than $1000. Also check the water pump, it could be leaking coolant there for making it run hot.

Answer 3

Coolant acidity or chemical tests aren't always accurate---best to have a presssure test done on the system.If a leak is confirmed, try filling the radiator and putting in some BARS head leak repair product, drive for a while and check the coolant level in the radiator every day to see how much is leaking out. It could just be a minor leak for now and may last a while before getting really bad. White smoke from the exhaust will indicate it too. Price some other shops for the repairs. No road trips till it's fixed properly.

Answer 4

unfortunuatly, nobody can give you a real answer with any certainty. It could last a week or it could last for years. The cost depends on what engine your van has. While it could be a head gasket, it might also be a cracked head or block.

About the only thing you can do (besides tearing the engine apart) is keep a close eye on the coolant level and keep the oil changed. Don't use anyof those miracle in a bottle additives. All they do is take money out of your wallet!

What does the oil look like? If it looks like a chocolate milk shake, then water is getting in the oil and the engine is not long for this world.

Answer 5

A leaky gasket is one of those things that might go for years, or might fail tommorow - you just never know. Your mechanic's test is, however, not a clear indicator of a head gasket leak. He should do a leakdown test to rule out other areas where it might be leaking. Just because you didn't see coolant leaking or pooling, doesn't mean it isn't leaking and evaporating before it hits the ground. I wouldn't do a head gasket job based on a test tube diagnosis, especially on an older vehicle. "Engine emissions", as you call them, have a cumulative effect, so it may be completely normal to have traces of hydrocarbon in your coolant if it hasn't been flushed regularly. If it doesn't smoke and you can maintain the coolant level, just drive it. Is it worth putting $1000 into a vehicle that is likely worth less than that?

Answer 6

that's a number of issues - problem is that oil would not stay the place it is going to. this implies in user-friendly terms one difficulty - some thing interior the engine the two cracked (head or block) or some thing gave way (a seal or gasket, incl head gasket). there is possibly no hassle-free restoration for this. maximum mechanics will recommed removing the top to choose what is going on. this might harm the top gasket and hence will choose for alternative. i understand you probably did no longer choose for to pay attention head gasket, yet i think of in case you're fortunate, it will be in user-friendly terms the gasket. Cracks interior the top or block is costly to restoration and there is no guarrantee that it will no longer crack returned, till you replace the broken section. the problem might additionally be as a small seal someplace interior the engine (internally) that failed. in case you motor vehicle has a engine oil cooler that makes use of the radiator to relax the engine oil, it may be achieveable which you have a leak there additionally - this could be failry hassle-free to restoration if the problem is interior the radiator - purely replace it. purely my 2cents - desire it helps.

Answer 7

If there are absolutely no leaks anywhere else, it should be the head gasket.
Needs to be replaced before it's too late.
I think the price they quoted to you is way too high. Take it to another shop to compare prices.

Answer 8

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