Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Head Gasket Woes......again!

[Bloomy]

Ok, so the truck is down with a destroyed clutch. I decided to check my leaky head gasket and see what is going on there. I had the head surfaced and o-ringed last march and put studs in as well. Was great for a little while and then started leaking anti-freeze again. So here are some pics. Let me know what you think... .



Thomas

 

[Bloomy]

The head shot is cylinder #2. That was the worst one regarding the crud. #4 was rather clean. The gasket was rather wet and slimy in the event you cannot tell with the pictures. not sure if the one picture shows the spray pattern of the injectors on top of the piston?



thanks

thomas

 

[PKemp]

How reliable was the shop that resurfaced the head? Looks like you may need to take it back... ... .

 

[DMoon]

What are you running for boost pressures? If the head was properly decked and o-rings installed it should have been virtually bullet proof but... ... ... ... if you are running wild boost and horsepower numbers it may be that it's just being overwhelmed.

 

[Cooker]

What are you running for boost pressures? If the head was properly decked and o-rings installed it should have been virtually bullet proof

I have the same question.



I don't think anything about a turbo upgrade in his signature so drive pressure could have gotten up there is pushing too much boost through an HX35? Just a thought.

 

[Bloomy]

Stock turbo. Tried to keep it in the 30's most of the time. Every now and then it would push higher. The shop that did the head work is very good and well known on this sight. I am leaning more towards my own errors in drive pressures and excess EGT's. Much as I hate to admit that. I do have a new turbo on the way that will help some!!. A diesel mechanic stopped and took a look at my parts when I wasn't there and quickly said I had to much fuel. Which I also tend to agree. Well back to work again. Thanks for the replies.



Thomas

 

[Pmaloney]

Just out of curiosity, how many times were those head studs torqued? I have read quite a bit that sometimes it takes 2-4 retorques to get a good seal. Just an idea

 

[Bloomy]

I re-torqued twice initially and then read some threads that mentioned doing it more often. So after I noticed it leaking a little bit I re-torqued it for the third time. It seemed to have improved for a brief period of time then started leaking again. So perhaps I waited to long?



Thomas

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

check for gaps in the o-rings. it doesn't take much.

 

[Pmaloney]

Not sure if you waited to long or not. I wouldnt think that would matter too much since you said you retorqued them twice. Could have been too low of torque??

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Two things: was the head carefully checked for cracks? (one member had his checked and no cracks showed up, but later found one)

Did you check the block deck to make sure it was square and perfectly flat? (not likely but possible)



Vaughn

 

[Bloomy]

Vaughn

The block wasn't checked. I am going to check it this time though. This is really bad, but I can't remember if the head was checked for cracks. I would like to think that I asked for it but can't remember. As soon as my gasket kit gets here I am having it checked for cracks, decked, and valves redone. My only problem is if it needs resurfaced I have to find a shop to do the o-rings. Nobody in my area can do them. At least not within two hours that I know of.

I travelled a good ways to get it done last time.



Good news is my new clutch came today!



Thomas

 

[RChamberlain]

well i am on under my friends name but i have done the head gasket on mine twice and the first time my head was warped so if i were you i would check it for warping myself and then take it in and hace it checked for internal cracks if need any other advise let me know cause i have been there twice my e-mail is -- email address removed --

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I've had a little trouble in this area with other peoples trucks, One the head was crack and a pressure test took care of that, the other blew because of the stock bolts being loose (200K and never touched) and the head being . 009 out but the block was less than . 002.



Jim

 

[Bloomy]

Wanted to post an update. The truck has been together for a little while now. The head was in excellent shape once we got it cleaned up. No cracks, was less than . 002 out. The shop that checked it for me said the o-rings were in good shape. No gaps or nicks that would cause problems. So I put it together and it seems to be doing well. A few bubbles on top of the studs. I had/have some valve cover problems. Couldn't get them all to seal. Redid them and just redid them again. Now I only have one leaking. Still clueless as to why. Other than that everything seems good. New turbo is here waiting to install it once the downpipe gets here. Thanks for the help.



Thomas

 

[Dual EE]

Bloomy,

Good to here things are staying together. Let us know how the new turbo works out.

 

[BPonci]

Are you running studs? If so maybe the stud is holding up the valve cover and not able to seal properly.

 

[Bloomy]

Are you running studs? If so maybe the stud is holding up the valve cover and not able to seal properly.

I am running studs. That is also what I have been thinking. The gaskets have little indentations where the stud washer rests against them. I did get a few of them to seal good this last time. Patience, Patience, Patience



Dual EE, might get to dyno the end of this month. Will be looking for a more aggressive plate. I wish I could find the stock one to grind



Thomas

 

[ctd8999]

Head Gasket

Bloomy, When you did the retorque did you loosen and relube the nuts and washers ?Thanks Steve B.

 

[Bloomy]

Steve,



I didn't loosen them and relube the nuts. Is that how it should be done?



Thomas