There are a number of ways to check for bad head gaskets.
With the engine cold, remove the pressure cap, then put it back on. Start the
engine and
let it run for 15~30 seconds. Turn off the engine and remove the radiator
gasket. If you
got a pressure build up in that time, you have a combustion to water passage
leak. This
leak can be either a head gasket, cracked head, or cracked block. Pull the head
and check
the head gasket. Take the headto a shop and have it checked for warp or
cracks. Generally
the problem will be one of these. If not, it is time to check the block.
Another way to check for combustion products is to use a combustion tester that
sits
on top of the radiator (or t'stat). It has a liquid in it that turns yellow
when combustion
gasses are pulled through it. This is a cheap test.
You might also want to retorque the head.
If no combustion products are shown, and the overflow only happens after thge
engine is
warmed up, I would check either the water pump, or an obstruction in the engine
that is
keeping the water from circulating properly.
Good luck,
Pat
--
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Pat Horne, Network Manager, Shop Supervisor, Hardware Guru
CS Dept, University of Texas, Austin, Tx. 78712 USA
voice (512)471-9517, fax (512)471-8885, UUCP:cs.utexas.edu!horne
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