Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Soot in intake

[firemanmarc]

Was just wondering if having soot in my intake is somewhat normal or is it time to swap an hX-40??? Also..... with my radiator cap off and the engine idling, coolant comes up and into the overlfow bottle. It is does not bubble like if I had a headgasket leak. . I just changed thermostat due to my old one opening late ( 190+ ). I honestly thought I had a gasket leak due to the pressure I would have in the coolant system. Now that I changed the thermostat, my gauge hardly fluctuates, stays right around 180, could I have too much fluid when I changed the thermostat? I am going to get coolant test kit tomorrow to hopefully end my possible headgasket leak..... I hope this isn't too confusing. . Thank you, Marc

 

[Diesel Nut]

Soot as far as I know is normal. Get an exhaust brake and you'll really see some soot. Both my trucks I've had apart have had it (2002 HO, 2003 HO).



As far as the coolant, you have an overflow for a reason. Anything expands when heated up. Water too. As water expands, it builds pressure (with the cap on) raising the boilong point of the water. However, the enlarged mass of the water has to go somewhere after the set pressure is reached (i think 15 psi, but may be wrong). What you are seeing is water warming up and expanding, and going where it needs to to maintain a full, but not overfull system. I would call what you are seeing normal. And if you had a blown head gasket I would think you would have heard it pop, and would have found either water in the oil or oil in the water. And power would be down quite a bit.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Yes an exhaust brake will soot up the intake. I never had one on my '01 HO, and the intake was squeaky clean when I took the plate off around 70k miles.



Vaughn

 

[firemanmarc]

Thank you... Very much. I thought it might be normal, just comparing to my tractors here. I certainly haven't lost POWER, gettin' too much I think, makes my wife smile... ... Once again, thank you. Marc