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Engine running cold


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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 4, 2014, 8:07 PM

Post #26 of 33 (1833 views)
Re: Engine running cold Sign In

I don't know what you would expect that to tell you. The engine isn't generating enough heat. the only way you can change that is keeping it in the engine longer with a higher temp thermostat.

If you are looking for hydrocarbons in the coolant, that needs to be done while the engine is running. It's a gas and it will dissipate quickly.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Feb 4, 2014, 8:08 PM)


GC
User
GC profile image

Feb 5, 2014, 7:30 AM

Post #27 of 33 (1815 views)
Re: Engine running cold Sign In

How has it been since the you tightened that clamp? Using coolant? Overheat? Running cold? Im assuming your speaking of getting coolant tested for oil contamination and vice versa. IMO I wouldnt do that just yet.

If your having trouble nailing this down, Id take it to a shop that has lots of expensive tools for diagnosing these things. Could still be a simple issue, and Im sure you dont want to jump into head work without knowing for sure.

BTW wasnt accusing you of withholding info, just a piece of the puzzle that changes things.


____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob

(This post was edited by GC on Feb 5, 2014, 7:32 AM)


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Feb 5, 2014, 8:01 AM

Post #28 of 33 (1806 views)
Re: Engine running cold Sign In

If this does turn out to be a head gasket issue and after the head is removed. Have the original head pressure tested and if good resurfaced. There's no sense in replacing a good cylinder head.
As for checking for combustion gases in the cooling system, I've used the block test fluid with good resultants.

As long as the test fluid does not become contaminated with anti freeze during the test; you can trust it.
If the blue fluid turns any form of light green to yellow; there's combustion gases in the cooling system.
Here's a link to a vid showing the block tester in use.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4FoUc6fRNs
Dan.

Canadian "EH"






(This post was edited by DanD on Feb 5, 2014, 8:08 AM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 5, 2014, 8:14 AM

Post #29 of 33 (1801 views)
Re: Engine running cold Sign In

I have owned many of those kits through the years and I have tried and tried to get accurate results, even testing cars with a known leak and never gotten any conclusive results from one of them unless it was so obvious it was pouring out the tailpipe.

One trick I have tried though and it worked is to attach a latex glove tightly around the radiator filler and run the engine to see if it inflates to indicate gases getting into the system.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



GC
User
GC profile image

Feb 5, 2014, 8:21 AM

Post #30 of 33 (1799 views)
Re: Engine running cold Sign In

Nice. Im with you HT, I have a block tester kit, but its hit and miss. I throw the pressure gauge on and do the test you mentioned with the glove. But im gonna use that one when im not near my pressure kit.


____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Feb 5, 2014, 9:44 AM

Post #31 of 33 (1791 views)
Re: Engine running cold Sign In

Not sure why you guys are having a hard time with the block test kit?
You don't have to see the fluid turn piss yellow, before you know there's CO in the cooling system.
Once I get even the slightest change in colour; I get out the gas analyzer and confirm it.
The funny thing is the gas analyzer will show just as much if not more HC?
I still don't like using the analyzer that close to that much liquid; so I usually put an empty 1 gallon container between the coolant opening and the gas probe. That at least gives me an air space if the rad decides to puke.

Dan.

Canadian "EH"






GC
User
GC profile image

Feb 5, 2014, 11:31 AM

Post #32 of 33 (1784 views)
Re: Engine running cold Sign In

Ive found that alot of times, I get no response from liquid unless i catch it when it burps out a bubble. Some systems it works like a charm. Other times I end up sucking coolant up into the tube, and it just irritates me. I dont have a gas analyzer, or i would just go to that right away. I dont have anything against the block test kits, just not very comfortable basing a diagnosis on it. The times that Ive had it work to the point ive felt confident in the diagnosis, its also been apparent from other tests/symptoms. I still have one and use it fairly often though. I just like to get an extra verification instead of solely on the magic blue liquid. Just my inexperienced opinion though. We all have different methods, and usually the one(s) we like work well for us. None are wrong, just different.


____________________________________________________
Willing to help, willing to learn... Rob


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Feb 5, 2014, 11:36 AM

Post #33 of 33 (1781 views)
Re: Engine running cold Sign In

Nicely put.

Thanks for the reply.

Dan.

Canadian "EH"










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