any one know how to check a headgasket

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by jamey2466, Apr 27, 2010.

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  1. jamey2466

    jamey2466 New Member

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    I have a 1984 vf1000f the oil is milky i think it is a blown head gasket but not sure any one know how to check with out taking it apart
     
    jamey2466, Apr 27, 2010
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  2. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    compression test 1st, leakdown test second. I'll see if I can find you a link on the leakdown test. BRB
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Apr 27, 2010
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  3. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    tinkerinWstuff, Apr 27, 2010
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  4. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Jamey - you don't suppose there's a chance the coolant froze up in your motor over the winter? If the engine froze, the block could have cracked anywhere. You could get a good compression test and still have coolant going to the case. The coolant system runs around 15psi when it's at temperature so the block can crack from coolant passage to the case without affecting compression. Just something to keep in mind as you're testing. condensation from short runs in cool weather can cause milkey looking oil as well. Letting an engine get to operating temperature in the winter allows moisture to evaporate off.

    Have you changed the oil and filter to see if the oil gets milkey again and how quickly?

    Monkeymunch is parting out two 1000's so you might want to talk to him and get on the stick with your troubleshooting!
    http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-...92-new-bike-finally-arived-i-got-screwed.html
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Apr 27, 2010
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  5. jamey2466

    jamey2466 New Member

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    thanks and ya i put new oil in it and let it run for about a min or 2 and was milky that soon. and that was the 2nd oil change that i did this week.
     
    jamey2466, Apr 27, 2010
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  6. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Sounds like bad news.

    Like I said; a quick compression test will give you a good 1st clue. If you have good compression on all four cylinders then you can skip the leakdown test mentioned in the thread I linked earlier. There are tools to allow you to pressurize the radiator to 15psi which will only prove it's leaking but not do much to tell you where. At that point the only thing you can do is tear it down and do a visual inspection. Some shops can use an NDT (non distructive test) using magnaflux Welcome to Magnaflux Worldwide to detect cracks that are difficult to see with the eye.
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Apr 27, 2010
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  7. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    Magnaflux works on ferrous metals only....
     
    squirrelman, Apr 27, 2010
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  8. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    ah, my bad. I forgot. Thanks for the correction.
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Apr 27, 2010
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  9. jamey2466

    jamey2466 New Member

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    ok thanks i will try this first
     
    jamey2466, Apr 27, 2010
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  10. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    In my defense; Magnaflux is a company name along with the product they used on ferrous metals. For non ferrous you have to use a penatrant method which it appears Magnaflux also markets a product for.

    History of PI

    Just more worthless information to clog up your brain...
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Apr 27, 2010
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  11. jamey2466

    jamey2466 New Member

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    i put 15 psi of water to the radeator thinking that it would go to the lower end if there was a leak and got nothing in the lower end.
     
    jamey2466, Apr 27, 2010
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  12. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Well, that's one more piece of the puzzle. How about a compression test on the cylinders? If you don't have a guage, you can buy one for around $30ish from your local auto parts store or try Harbor Freight. You may want to spring for the one that has the ability to connect an air compressor line for leak down testing. It's a good tool you'll own for a lifetime even if you only use it once every couple years.
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Apr 27, 2010
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  13. jamey2466

    jamey2466 New Member

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    ya i will test the compression i know someone that has one just down the road i will let you know another guy i know sems to think it mite be frome when i took the motor out and took it to the car wash water got in i need to find something to put in it and get all that crap out so i can start fresh
     
    jamey2466, Apr 27, 2010
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  14. donald branscom

    donald branscom New Member

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    A blown head gasket can be difficult to diagnose.
    Milky look on the oil could be from condensation. Not a good indicator.

    There are 4 pieces of info that can pin down a blown head gasket. BTW you did not give milage and that is a factor.

    #1 Remove oil drain plug and when the plug first comes out if there is coolant in the oil, the coolant will be on the BOTTOM so you will see it(coolant) come out first.
    #2 Engine is overheating.
    #3 Compression will be low on one or two cylinders and it is common for it to be between two cylinders. So two cylinders normal and two cylinders low by 50lbs.
    #4 Oil in the radiator coolant or in the coolant bottle.
     
    donald branscom, Apr 27, 2010
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  15. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Head gasket failure is rare for a gen 2 but I would think if it were your issue that it would be due to corrosion in the cooling system.The protion of the head gasket is very thin where it seals the water jacket . What condition is or was the coolant in ? Another possibilty is a water pump failure but once again it is rare and the weep hole would have to be plugged as well but it does happen.
     
    TOE CUTTER, Apr 27, 2010
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  16. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    This is a scrap engine but you can see that the area that would need to fail to get coolant into the crankcase is small and any compression from a leak would go into the cooling sytem. Gen 2 engines will overheat to the point of piston seizure and not pop a head gasket.
    [​IMG]
     
    TOE CUTTER, Apr 27, 2010
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  17. donald branscom

    donald branscom New Member

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    And only on surface cracks. Used to do it.
     
    donald branscom, Apr 27, 2010
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  18. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

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    Did you read my follow up post? Magnaflux has a product for penetrant inspection on non ferrous metals.
     
    tinkerinWstuff, Apr 28, 2010
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  19. donald branscom

    donald branscom New Member

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    Dye penetrant will also only detect surface cracks on ferrous or non ferrous metals. It is a 3 step process and you need a black light to shine on the inspection area.
    In my experience most cracks can be seen with your eyes and a magnifying glass. The first level of any inspection begins with a careful VISUAL inspection.

    An x-ray is needed to detect problems internally.

    Magnaflux is used on ferrous metals and it is performed by holding up a coil of wires or wrapping them in a coil around the part. Then passing the part and suspect area with iron filings sprinkled on the suspect area through the coil of electrified area. If a crack is present the iron filings move to both sides of the crack.
     
    donald branscom, Apr 28, 2010
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  20. jamey2466

    jamey2466 New Member

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    i dont think it is a head gasket. I changed the oil out 3 times and ther is no more milky white stuff in the oil. but i will have to keep an eye on it to be sure.thanks for all your help .
     
    jamey2466, Apr 28, 2010
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