Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Blown Head Gasket symptoms?

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Hey all, I was wondering what the signs of a blown head gasket would be. NOT The obvious external leaks aside Coolant leaks , oil leaks , smoke , fliuds turning color or otherwise winding up where they shouldn't.



Rather I am looking for OTHER Signs.



Lower performance , egt rise , lower boost ... . etc. Any other tell tale signs? Are theese possible?

I may be freakin' out a bit but Unloaded on the way to the cape she ... ... well she was running hot (200-210) @ 80 mph with the box off and egt was a bit higher han normal (Realizing that it is a dead flat run for the most part) I saw average of 875-930. I also can oly build 38 lbs of boost on a max pull with he box on kill.

Keep in mind My AFE is also squeaky clean. This just started happening over the last two weeks. AND the truck smokes like a freight train.



I have checked the norm (Boost leaks at intake horns , PIERS bootys , and have checked the BD brake and it sits in its normal position . )





Thanks guys this one seems to be a weird one.

 

[Idaho CTD]

There are a few things you can do. First you can go to an auto parts store and get test strips that you dunk in the radiator to test for combustion gases. Second do an oil sample to see if you have diesel or antifreeze in the oil. Another sign of combustion loss between cylinders is a rough idle. Is the under side of the truck clean? Mine started leaking at the back of the head instead of the usual place on a 24v, the front of the head, and it was hard to figure out where it was coming from. Another sign is either a loss of coolant in the reservior (leaking out) or a gain of coolant (compression loss).



As a side note: It has been really hot out here and my trucks performance has gone down considerably. If it's hot outside there is less oxygen for combustion = higher egt's.



Another idea is a sticking thermostat



Good Luck and I hope it anything but a headgasket

Nathan

 

[willyslover]

pull that damn thermostat and drop it in your wifes BEST pan on the stove bring to a boil and see if it pops open stand back and get your butt kicked

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

i d ten t error????



I'm thinkin the tstat has problems.



head gaskets are pretty obvious.

 

[Snow man]

Head gaskets arent always pretty obvious,IMO. I was driving with a blown one for quite a while,and didnt know it. My oil samples came back perfect,the truck idled good,and ran great,if it was down on power,it was only by 20hp,and on a 500hp truck,its ahrd to feel 20hp. I only had a slight weep at the front of the engine as a giveaway. The only reason i was pulling the head was to get it o ringed. When Doug at ADT pulled my head,we were blown away,it was blown in 3 spots ,there was compression under one of the head bolts. The truck never ran hot,or did anything funny at all. It sounds like Tim's truck i s starving for air. Tim have you checked your hx40's intake impeller? I have seen them all worn down from rubbing the compressor housing,this will kill hp,and boost. Im thinking your turbo bearings may be worn ba,,what else will give high egt,low boost,if all other problem areas have been checked?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Hey Guys, Sorry I havn't been back to the 'puter but those are two of the best points I can see. Thermostat (45,000 miles) and the PDR 40 I will check today. What about a cracked Ehx manifold? I din't hear any leaks but that would kill drive pressure to the turbo.