Possible blown head gasket?

BlakeS94 · 25-11-2020 9:19am #1

So I've been having coolant issues with my car for a while, I thought it was sorted with the last trip to my mechanic but unfortunately not. The radiator and water pump have been changed, no sign of leaks around thermostat, there was a small leak where the bottom hose connects to radiator but that was fixed with a new hose clamp. Car drives fine, idles fine, no smoke from exhaust, no coolant/oil mixing. But my mechanic reckons its head gasket, he could be right. The only symptoms I have is that if I drive over 3000rpm the coolant tank will immediately empty itself. I tested this where I drove about 80km over a couple days kept it under 2500rpm and not a drop of coolant missing from the overflow. I then did one 15minute drive where I put the foot down and checked the overflow tank again. Nothing in it. So why is it loosing coolant only under high pressure/hard driving? I've also noticed a steady stream of bubbles when I let the car warm up without the radiator cap on, I just want someone to tell me it's not head gasket related, but it probably is.

listermint · 25-11-2020 9:21am

Mechanic could do a pressure test and or an exhaust test to confirm.. sounds like it is though

BlakeS94 · 25-11-2020 9:23am

listermint wrote: »

Mechanic could do a pressure test and or an exhaust test to confirm.. sounds like it is though

Pressure test has been done, I was told it wasn't great but not bad either. Is this a direct diagnosis for a blown head gasket? Don't think any exhaust test has been done,what does that include?

listermint · 25-11-2020 9:24am

BlakeS94 wrote: »

Pressure test has been done, I was told it wasn't great but not bad either. Is this a direct diagnosis for a blown head gasket? Don't think any exhaust test has been done,what does that include?

Wasn't great?... It's either holding appropriate pressure or its not . If it's not then test failed.

listermint · 25-11-2020 9:25am

BlakeS94 wrote: »

Pressure test has been done, I was told it wasn't great but not bad either. Is this a direct diagnosis for a blown head gasket? Don't think any exhaust test has been done,what does that include?

It's a chemical test of the coolant reservoir. Combined with a pressure test if both are bad then it's the head.

kil · 25-11-2020 9:27am

Whats the car and mileage? You could try one of these test kits to check for yourself - https://www.amazon.co.uk/RELD-Cylinder-Combusion-Universal-Motorcycles/dp/B07RS3N98V/ref=asc_df_B07RS3N98V/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344362092444&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16069991710004741192&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=20474&hvtargid=pla-762509523541&psc=1

BlakeS94 · 25-11-2020 9:29am

listermint wrote: »

It's a chemical test of the coolant reservoir. Combined with a pressure test if both are bad then it's the head.

Probably sugar coating it for me so, I'll ask them to do the exhaust check before we know for sure, I should probably mention it's a Hyundai i40 with about 215000km on the clock. There was issues with the heads on those, oh well, off I go to reach deep into my pocket

listermint · 25-11-2020 9:31am

BlakeS94 wrote: »

Probably sugar coating it for me so, I'll ask them to do the exhaust check before we know for sure, I should probably mention it's a Hyundai i40 with about 215000km on the clock. There was issues with the heads on those, oh well, off I go to reach deep into my pocket

Based on what youve said so far. I'd probably not throw any more money at it. And start looking at replacement. If that's engine or vehicle it's up to you.

Personally it would probably be vehicle for me.

BlakeS94 · 25-11-2020 9:34am

listermint wrote: »

Based on what youve said so far. I'd probably not throw any more money at it. And start looking at replacement. If that's engine or vehicle it's up to you.

Personally it would probably be vehicle for me.

You don't think replacing the gasket would be enough?

listermint · 25-11-2020 9:35am

BlakeS94 wrote: »

You don't think replacing the gasket would be enough?

With they model. It's probably a skim too. But replacing the gasket alone prob has 12 hours labour on it.

Is the car worth it ?

BlakeS94 · 25-11-2020 9:38am

listermint wrote: »

With they model. It's probably a skim too. But replacing the gasket alone prob has 12 hours labour on it.

Is the car worth it ?

It has to be, can't afford to fork out for another, I've great luck with cars haha

BlakeS94 · 25-11-2020 1:08pm

Quoted ballpark €1200 for the job. Head gasket kit, head to be skimmed, labour, and oil/filter and coolant change. This sound like a decent price to anyone that's had the job done?

listermint · 25-11-2020 9:50pm

BlakeS94 wrote: »

Quoted ballpark €1200 for the job. Head gasket kit, head to be skimmed, labour, and oil/filter and coolant change. This sound like a decent price to anyone that's had the job done?

Sounds around the money youd be looking at. Not super Low not super high. In the middle.

Bmw123d · 01-12-2020 9:25am

Ya the price is in and around what I’d be expecting to be quoted. I’d be going with the head also based on what you have told us. I would like to check the coolent bottle and exhaust for gases. Not sure if your mechanic has but tests. But to me just me personal experience it sounds like there’s a crack in the head and when the engine is revved that’s when the head is splitting and causing your problems.
If your gona pay to fix it that’s all well and good just make sure the head isn’t cracked so for that your gona have to get the head pressure tested on the bench. If it does end out being cracked your after having a mechanic say do half the time let’s say 6 hours and now the head is useless.

Have you priced a second hand engine for the car this is what I’d possibly be looking into.
It might actually be cheaper if your mechanic is worth his salt just to swap out the engine.

Pasteur. · 01-12-2020 9:28am

What year is it

I'd change car

BlakeS94 · 01-12-2020 1:00pm

Bmw123d wrote: »

Ya the price is in and around what I’d be expecting to be quoted. I’d be going with the head also based on what you have told us. I would like to check the coolent bottle and exhaust for gases. Not sure if your mechanic has but tests. But to me just me personal experience it sounds like there’s a crack in the head and when the engine is revved that’s when the head is splitting and causing your problems.
If your gona pay to fix it that’s all well and good just make sure the head isn’t cracked so for that your gona have to get the head pressure tested on the bench. If it does end out being cracked your after having a mechanic say do half the time let’s say 6 hours and now the head is useless.

Have you priced a second hand engine for the car this is what I’d possibly be looking into.
It might actually be cheaper if your mechanic is worth his salt just to swap out the engine.

My mechanic has just done a pressure test which was inconclusive I would say as the coolant overflow cap wouldn't hold in the pressure around 1.5 psi with a hand pump. Haven't looked at any second hand engines bit of it's an issue with those cars wouldn't another engine of the same kind be a risk also? It's in with Hyundai main dealer at the moment to properly diagnose the issue. They have already told me from the same information I've given you the technician dealing with it thinks it'll either be head gasket, cylinder head cracked, or both. Have to wait and see

BlakeS94 · 01-12-2020 1:01pm

Pasteur. wrote: »

What year is it

I'd change car

2013. I don't want to change if I can help it, still have a good bit of the original loan on the car to pay off

BlakeS94 · 02-12-2020 2:13pm

Got the car back from main dealer, dodged a bullet, head gasket in good condition, system held pressure, thermostat was at fault, stuck closed causing the overheating and some coolant loss, heater core also needs changing but they said it's not urgent the thermostat was the main issue. €145 all in, I'm a happy little boy this Christmas

btree · 11-12-2020 12:06am

Congratulations. Great to hear that you have sorted it out. A good lesson for me too.

Thanks,

BlakeS94 wrote: »

Got the car back from main dealer, dodged a bullet, head gasket in good condition, system held pressure, thermostat was at fault, stuck closed causing the overheating and some coolant loss, heater core also needs changing but they said it's not urgent the thermostat was the main issue. €145 all in, I'm a happy little boy this Christmas

John.G · 12-12-2020 10:58am

Amazed that thermostat wasn't one of the very first items checked.

If this is the Hyundai I40, changing/checking the stat was suggested very early on, also the stream of bubbles should now also be gone.

BlakeS94 · 20-12-2020 11:25am

John.G wrote: »

Amazed that thermostat wasn't one of the very first items checked.

If this is the Hyundai I40, changing/checking the stat was suggested very early on, also the stream of bubbles should now also be gone.

Haven't checked for bubbles again just yet, but car has been sitting for the past 12 days or so without being started and the coolant overflow went from the full to low line indication on the overflow bottle? No sign of coolant underneath the car. Head gasket is the only thing left entire cooling system components have been replaced, except the heater core which will be done soon.

gctest50 · 20-12-2020 11:46am

BlakeS94 wrote: »

............
.

Head gasket is the only thing left ...........

Has to be going somewhere though

Head cracked ?

Block cracked ?

BlakeS94 · 20-12-2020 1:46pm

gctest50 wrote: »

Has to be going somewhere though

Head cracked ?

Block cracked ?

I dont know, just going to have the head gasket changed along with the heater core. Engine performs well and theres no dramatic symptoms that a cracked head or block would indicate, no power loss and no smoke

Roversfc · 31-01-2021 10:41pm

BlakeS94 wrote: »

I dont know, just going to have the head gasket changed along with the heater core. Engine performs well and theres no dramatic symptoms that a cracked head or block would indicate, no power loss and no smoke

Hi, have you got this sorted out yet? Im currently having the same problem with my i40

BlakeS94 · 01-02-2021 12:10pm

Roversfc wrote: »

Hi, have you got this sorted out yet? Im currently having the same problem with my i40

It's in the garage at the moment for head gasket replacement I'll update when it's back. Seems to be a not so uncommon issue with these i40's. And here I thought the reliability would be better after switching from an Audi

Roversfc · 01-02-2021 1:28pm

BlakeS94 wrote: »

It's in the garage at the moment for head gasket replacement I'll update when it's back. Seems to be a not so uncommon issue with these i40's. And here I thought the reliability would be better after switching from an Audi

Do you mind me asking how much its going to cost? Ive also changed the water pump and radiator but still the same problem. Also in the last couple of weeks the reversing camera has kicked the bucket along with the driver side DRL. Have it booked in for a pressure test on wednesday if it ends up being the head gasket I'll be getting rid of it

BlakeS94 · 01-02-2021 3:21pm

Roversfc wrote: »

Do you mind me asking how much its going to cost? Ive also changed the water pump and radiator but still the same problem. Also in the last couple of weeks the reversing camera has kicked the bucket along with the driver side DRL. Have it booked in for a pressure test on wednesday if it ends up being the head gasket I'll be getting rid of it

I was quoted ballpark €1200 for the job including the head being skimmed. In the last year or so I've changed every part of the cooling system and it still didnt stop the leak so has to be head gasket. What year is yours? The reversing camera was a manufacturing fault just bad quality unit mine was replaced under warranty by previous owner. As for the DRLs I haven't had issues yet but see many i40s on the road with only one working

Johnthemanager · 08-02-2021 2:22am

BlakeS94 wrote: »

I was quoted ballpark €1200 for the job including the head being skimmed. In the last year or so I've changed every part of the cooling system and it still didnt stop the leak so has to be head gasket. What year is yours? The reversing camera was a manufacturing fault just bad quality unit mine was replaced under warranty by previous owner. As for the DRLs I haven't had issues yet but see many i40s on the road with only one working

I bought one from a dealer 16 months ago, found out after the manifold was melted when they sold it to me. Still trying to get my money back. The i40 engines seem real soft.

BlakeS94 · 02-03-2021 12:36pm

UPDATE: have the car back and all seems well. Cost €1,420 by the end of it. Had to replace glow plugs because they all sheared during removal. They also flushed the whole cooling system and installed some bushings for me. Hopefully it's good from now on

Hellrazer · 02-03-2021 8:56pm

These are known for the blocks having hairline cracks in the block.

The bolt holes for the head were drilled too shallow in the block and once the head is tightened down the block cracks.

Honestly I wouldnt say its the end of your problems and Id probably bet the head gasket was ok.

BlakeS94 · 02-03-2021 9:16pm

Hellrazer wrote: »

These are known for the blocks having hairline cracks in the block.

The bolt holes for the head were drilled too shallow in the block and once the head is tightened down the block cracks.

Honestly I wouldnt say its the end of your problems and Id probably bet the head gasket was ok.

I'm aware yes but that doesn't affect every single i40, block was inspected and was found to be in good order, cylinder head itself had a shallow crack along the margin between intake and exhaust valves but was fine after being skimmed. As I've said the car seems to be running fine now I've taken it on a few spins and let the revs climb with no issues.

Possible blown head gasket?

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