black1998z28

I have a 5.3 and didnt know if anybody else has had any problem with blown headgaskets or a cracked head or block. Its using water pretty fast and is blowing it out the exhaust but the oil is clean. Just seeing if anybody else has had a problem with the samething??

usmcz28

iTrader: (3)

WHo uses straight water in their coolant system?


If it's blowing out the exhaust you sir have a blown head gasket! It all depends where its blown it doesn't always mix with the oil.

FactoryPhil

iTrader: (1)

you are 100percent correct.
i have a friend running that block with no issues, good luck,

black1998z28

It has coolent in it not just water. Thats what im thinking just didnt know if anybody else has had any problems with them blowing.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

You need to pull those heads and get them re-surfaced if you want to cure the problem. Or if its cracked, time for new heads. I wouldnt just replace a gasket. It can and will pop again. You probably just had it give out on a water jacket.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

First, you need to see IF and WHERE the problem is before you start turning wrenches. I would highly recommend a cooling system pressure check. If you don't feel comfortable diagnosing this then take it to a shop and have them do the check. By pressuring up the radiator, the air/pressure will escape if there is something wrong (meaning crack or bad gasket). If the test reveals an obvious issue then you can plan your repair from there.

black1998z28

Im gonna do a leak down, compression test and press the rad too in the morning. The heads are no big deal I have others if they are cracked. You just never hear of them ever losing head gaskets

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Did the motor run hot at some point? I think the stock graphite gaskets are pretty forgiving to tolerances but the MLS are not. Is this a stock headed motor or have they been removed in the past?

stangtrader

iTrader: (2)

Pressure test isn't the best way buy a block test kit they are cheap and will tell you if you have a leak between combustion and cooling passages. This is the way a good shop will diag the problem and its what I do at my work. A pressure test doesn't always work cause it could be a small leak and you wont see it as where combustion gasess have far more pressure and will exit the cooling system at easiest point. Napa sells block test kits

stangtrader

iTrader: (2)

Here is a explanation of what it is. http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/hea..._leak_test.htm

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

^^^Good info.

joecar

Yes, that is an excellent tool.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-75500.aspx

O2Form

If it was overheated at some point you may have loose headbolts...check um. the head bolts will stretch and lose tension on the head and gasket if the engine is overheated. You may get lucky by just retightening them believe it or not.

black1998z28

I dont know it hasnt been hot since ive had it. I just got it running not too long ago. It does has the mls gaskets and I dont think they have been off before its suppose to be a pretty low mile motor..

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/Bl...t_loss_5.3.pdf

black1998z28

Well I started with a lean down test and had no press in the cooling system so im gonna do a block test in the morning. Its looking like something maybe cracked..