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Head gasket, or am I missing something

fabjunkie

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Las Vegas
Ok guys, I need your take on this problem. I am assuming it's a head gasket or cracked head, but here's what I have

Steam out exhaust after warm up (lotsa!)
cooling system won't make pressure

The thing that's getting me is I checked compression, and they are all semi OK at 135-145lbs. Every other bad head gasket I've ever seen has bad compression at least in 1 cyl..The thing runs pretty good, I checked plugs and they are all identical tan.. Motor has a gazilion miles and has not been taken care of so anythings possible.

Is there anything I could be overlooking here before I tear it down?

Thanks, mike
 
What year/ engine??

Sure it could be the head. Are you using coolant??

Other tests that can help you isolate include:

1. Cooling system pressure test
2. Block test (sniffs coolant for presence of hydrocarbons)
3. Cylinder leakdown test
 
that would help, wouldn't it?? Duh!! it's a 91 with a 4.0 motor. I haven't run the thing (just got it a few weeks ago) , but sitting in the driveway, it does seem to be always needing to be topped off. Either way it does seem to point to the head or gasket, so I think I'll just suck it up and tear it down.

Anyone in the Vegas area with a rebuildable long block?? :)
Thanks for the help..
 
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