How do you know if it is a head gasket?

[cold_one]

So is there an easy way to know if the head gasket needs replacing? I understand that if there is white smoke then there likely is something bad going on, but are there other signs? Can a dealer tell by using their scanner?

Reason I am asking is the car all of a sudden spiked temperature, normal then right up to H in a really short time. So took it to dealer thinking it was a thermostat. They called and after replacing thermo, still wants to heat up. They said probably head gasket - big and expensive job.

I read here that gaskets aren't that prone to failure and I also read on the forum about burping the system. I'll have to ask if they did that procedure.

Car has 76000KMs.

Advice is appreciated as I am new to this since just getting the car a month ago.

(Yes I listed it for sale in a moment of being PO'd:mad2: but would rather keep it.)

[CBT]

I would try burping it.

[RacerX]

With a failed head gasket, you may see a little oil in the coolant system and/or coolant in the oil. In the oil, you would be looking for a milky to mud like color. A lot of auto shops do not know how to burp these!!!

[fastblackmerc]

With a failed head gasket, you may see a little oil in the coolant system and/or coolant in the oil. In the oil, you would be looking for a milky to mud like color. A lot of auto shops do not know how to burp these!!!

What he said^^^^^^

Try burping it first.

[Blackened300a]

Been chasing this in a truck. IF you see bubbles in the coolant, oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil, if the coolant smells like exhaust, you see excessive white smoke or smell antifreeze in the exhaust, wet spark plugs or if you are noticing that you are low on coolant constantly then you have a head gasket issue. If its running hot constantly that sounds like either blockage somewhere in the system or you can have a bad radiator cap. Just recently I had a bad radiator cap causing all kinds of problems if its not venting, holding pressure or not relieving pressure into the expansion tank.
With the car cold and the front elevated, remove the bleeder screw and make sure its full of coolant. If not then fill and let the engine run with the bleeder cracked loose.

[Marauder Rick]

Burping: If you look at your COT you should notice a spout about 1-1.5" in diameter and it is capped with a seal that has a 1/4 drive inlet. With the car cool, take this cap off. If you dont see coolant in the tube, pour it in until it fills the COT. Start the car with the cap off and let is run. After a few moments you should notice the coolant starting to flow into the engine. This means that the thermostat has opened up properly. If the system did in fact need burping, you will start to see air bubbles. Check your engine temp, it should be pretty steady. keep the engine running letting all of the air bubles out but make sure that the COT stays filled at least to the connection spot of the burping spout. When bubbles stop, turn the car off and return the cap.......DONE.

[Pat]

A compression check can isolate a blown head gasket. The offending cylinder would have a substantial lower reading that the others.

[MOTOWN]

did anyone check the water pump?, or heater core for blockage?

a bad heater core was my problem

[cold_one]

Thanks guys. The experience on here is valuable when talking with a dealer that has limited exposure to these cars.

I'll ask to check all these things first before ripping the engine apart to replace a (possibly) faulty gasket.

Is there a way, other than compression check, to know which side a leak may be on?

[RacerX]

Thanks guys. The experience on here is valuable when talking with a dealer that has limited exposure to these cars.

I'll ask to check all these things first before ripping the engine apart to replace a (possibly) faulty gasket.

Is there a way, other than compression check, to know which side a leak may be on?
Check the spark plugs.

[RacerX]

BTW! A lot of auto parts stores now do free tool rental and I know some have compression gauges/tools. It's really easy to do.

[EMAS]

Pulling and looking at the plugs is normally all it takes to find the offender. The spark plug will be nice and clean. A compression test may or may not track it down depending on just how bad the issue is. Also until you pull it apart there is no way to tell if it is a head gasket or a cracked head or block.

[cold_one]

Well it looks to be good news. The shop did another check on the cooling system and it appears that gaskets aren't a problem. I think they did what was suggested here, i.e. burping and now there is no over-heating issue.

Big relief :D

I appreciate the comments on this board. Guess I'll keep the car for now and see what else happens.