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lunghd
Member
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2008
- Messages
- 16
- Vehicle Year
- 1990
- Transmission
- Manual
I've had an issue w/ the engine for a couple of years w/ coolant loss. Never in oil - assumed it was a head gasket. Used barsleak etc way back then & it bought me about 2 years. Fast forward to this week.
Coolant leaking on outside of engine but not bad enough to pinpoint exact leak location - vicinity of thermostat neck but fan blows it everywhere. No obvious drips - it's just wet on front passenger side of engine. Changed oil last week - some condensation, maybe coolant, but not enough to make oil muddy. This week, temp gauge went up to dead center of 'Normal' (higher than it's ever gone) and dropped back almost to zip. Plenty of heat from heater so coolant was circulating through core at least. Checked oil next day & saw fresh coolant (unmixed) on dipstick. Checked coolant level & overflow was empty & radiator was about 1-2" low.
I suspect the radiator is at least partly clogged up but never had an overheating issue.
With coolant on outside of engine & now in oil I'm thinking intake gaskets are bad or maybe the intake has warped? What do you guys think? I have not noted any bubbling back through the overflow tank but will check that before doing teardown.
Also, with earlier issue wonder if I should just go ahead and pull the heads off to check them for cracks & head gasket leaks?
I'm proceeding with the tear down on the assumption that I'll have to get the heads rebuilt or replaced from a boneyard donor but any input is appreciated.
Also - what "while I'm at it" items should I take care of? Things that should be done, or things that will improve the performance / mpg while I'm in there. Not for tireburning... but for wood hauling.
I hate to ditch the truck if I can get it back on the road for a few hundred $.
Coolant leaking on outside of engine but not bad enough to pinpoint exact leak location - vicinity of thermostat neck but fan blows it everywhere. No obvious drips - it's just wet on front passenger side of engine. Changed oil last week - some condensation, maybe coolant, but not enough to make oil muddy. This week, temp gauge went up to dead center of 'Normal' (higher than it's ever gone) and dropped back almost to zip. Plenty of heat from heater so coolant was circulating through core at least. Checked oil next day & saw fresh coolant (unmixed) on dipstick. Checked coolant level & overflow was empty & radiator was about 1-2" low.
I suspect the radiator is at least partly clogged up but never had an overheating issue.
With coolant on outside of engine & now in oil I'm thinking intake gaskets are bad or maybe the intake has warped? What do you guys think? I have not noted any bubbling back through the overflow tank but will check that before doing teardown.
Also, with earlier issue wonder if I should just go ahead and pull the heads off to check them for cracks & head gasket leaks?
I'm proceeding with the tear down on the assumption that I'll have to get the heads rebuilt or replaced from a boneyard donor but any input is appreciated.
Also - what "while I'm at it" items should I take care of? Things that should be done, or things that will improve the performance / mpg while I'm in there. Not for tireburning... but for wood hauling.
I hate to ditch the truck if I can get it back on the road for a few hundred $.
