Newb - what am I lookin at?
10-23-2013, 07:00 AM
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Newb - what am I lookin at? Hey all....
need some of your thoughts here. I put a 5.3 in my CJ7 a year ago that had 103k on it out of a suburban. It ran great except for a month or so ago it started running crappy and stumbling and all... I noticed a few things and couldn't sort it out. Well, last time I tried to start it, it wouldn't crank. So, I thought, let me just pull the plugs out and turn it over to make sure it's not seized up or something.
So last night I went out and pulled the spark plugs, and when I got the the number 4 cylinder plug i noticed it was kind of wet.. but when I pulled the number 6 cylinder plug, it started draining radiator fluid.
So, I know something bad happened... my thoughts are is that it's either a blown head gasket or a cracked head... is that what I'm looking at? IS cracked heads normal or fairly common on these motors? What would have caused that? It never ran hot and I never stressed the motor at all.
TIA
need some of your thoughts here. I put a 5.3 in my CJ7 a year ago that had 103k on it out of a suburban. It ran great except for a month or so ago it started running crappy and stumbling and all... I noticed a few things and couldn't sort it out. Well, last time I tried to start it, it wouldn't crank. So, I thought, let me just pull the plugs out and turn it over to make sure it's not seized up or something.
So last night I went out and pulled the spark plugs, and when I got the the number 4 cylinder plug i noticed it was kind of wet.. but when I pulled the number 6 cylinder plug, it started draining radiator fluid.
So, I know something bad happened... my thoughts are is that it's either a blown head gasket or a cracked head... is that what I'm looking at? IS cracked heads normal or fairly common on these motors? What would have caused that? It never ran hot and I never stressed the motor at all.
TIA
10-23-2013, 07:45 AM
#3
CJaredo7, welcome to LS1 tech! SEARCH will be your best friend around here.
Yep, you have a blown head gasket.
As the engine wouldn't crank, it was probably because that cylinder was full of coolant. You may have a bent connecting rod.
You need a full rebuild of this engine. Yank it and get it to a reputable engine shop.
Yep, you have a blown head gasket.
As the engine wouldn't crank, it was probably because that cylinder was full of coolant. You may have a bent connecting rod.
You need a full rebuild of this engine. Yank it and get it to a reputable engine shop.
10-23-2013, 08:03 AM
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well, I'm certainly hoping that it was just head gasket. I will begin the teardown this weekend... and I'll pull the pan too of course to check the bottom end. If I had to do a full rebuild I may as well just go buy another 5.3 or maybe a 6.0 and shove it in there instead... how much would a full rebuild cost vs just gettin another motor?
10-23-2013, 08:14 AM
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I should also add... once I got the spark plugs removed I was able to turn the crank on the motor with my 15/16" socket wrench and it felt normal and there were no strange noises coming from the block while turning the crank through a few cycles.
10-23-2013, 09:36 AM
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Can I do a rebuild (new rings/rods/pistons if necessary and of course, reworked heads) while it's sitting in the jeep? Taking that whole thing back out is something I'd like to avoid if I can.
