Old faithful from my radiator.

[docgab]

I recently replaced my radiator and noticed that when I first started it and gave it some gas, my radiator spit coolant out. After searching the site, I noticed that this is always mentioned as being due to a bad head gasket.

My question is, is this definitive for a bad head gasket? The truck has been parked for 2 years and was driven by someone else for the year before that so I have no true idea what is going on with the truck right now.

 

[tRustyK5]

let it idle with the cap off and watch for bubbles...that is a good sign of a bad HG. When you rev it with the cap off the water pump has enough pumping action to make it spew...so that could be all the problem right there.

Check the dipstick...look for any moisture, tiny blobs of green are a dead giveaway.

Does it overheat? Does the heater stop working with the cap on? Any white smoke from the exhaust? These are the classic signs of a bad HG.

Rene

 

[docgab]

let it idle with the cap off and watch for bubbles...that is a good sign of a bad HG. When you rev it with the cap off the water pump has enough pumping action to make it spew...so that could be all the problem right there.

Will do. I imagine the bubbles will be apparent right away as opposed to after things heat up?

Check the dipstick...look for any moisture, tiny blobs of green are a dead giveaway.

Unfortunately, some piss poor previous exhaust work has been done which now won't let me get my dipstick in to check my oil. I just recently got the truck back and running. When I changed the oil when I first got it back, it was all good. I might change the oil again just to check things out.

Does it overheat? Does the heater stop working with the cap on? Any white smoke from the exhaust? These are the classic signs of a bad HG.

Rene

I haven't really driven it enough to determine if it overheats. Small things keep popping up that need to be fixed before I can get it inspected and get it some plates.

When I first got it running, the first couple of days that I started it after that, quite a bit of fluid was shot out of one of the exhaust pipes. I haven't really noticed that lately although I wasn't really paying attention.

I will check the things you suggested and post back up and see what the consensus is. Thanks for the reply.

 

[NV_K5]

Condensation is different than white smoke. If you let it run for 10 minutes you'll know if it's a head gasket by watching the exhaust, with the radiator cap on you'll be able to see the hoses swell up, without it on you see it bubbles like Rene stated.

 

[docgab]

Condensation is different than white smoke. If you let it run for 10 minutes you'll know if it's a head gasket by watching the exhaust, with the radiator cap on you'll be able to see the hoses swell up, without it on you see it bubbles like Rene stated.

Good deal, thanks for the response!

 

[3 on the tree]

If you can smell anti-freeze, out the exhaust pipe, then get the tools out.

 

[mnstrburbon]

They also sell test kits that detect exhaust gases in the coolant easy check just did a little stick in or you remove some coolant and add the chemicals like pool testing. but i bet you its like said cap off reving the motor they all will do that the water get's flowing and then hits a wall as the motor slows quickly causing it to surge and out it comes from the radiator.

 

[docgab]

I don't have an update on this as of yet. I went out to fire it up and now I am having charging problems. Will update once I get it running lol. THanks for the info all.