Diesel Diagnostics

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Reliable test for head gasket failure on diesels #

Posted by andrew pethig on October 19, 2017, 12:42 pm

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can any one recomend a reliable test for head gasket falure in to the water jacket for diesels ?

for a petrol i use a gas analiser but this does not work for diesels as they do not produce HC like a petrol.

what have you got ?

thankyou.

Re: reliable test for head gasket falure diesels

Posted by Ian Baxter <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT1560' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 19, 2017, 6:49 pm, in reply to "reliable test for head gasket falure diesels"

Hello Andrew,
Blue-point do a Combustion leak detector kit .
You fit a tube/cup container in place of the rad or header cap and in the cup/tube a fluid is poured and if any combustion gases enter the coolant the fluid changes colour, different colour for petrol engine as to diesel engine.

I would guess this kit will be available by other supliers but ask if it will do petrol and diesl engines.

You could also use a coolant pressure tester and see what the pressure gauge reads like. I.e does the needle bounce up and down as the pistons pressureises the cooling system

HTH,
Ian

Re: reliable test for head gasket falure diesels

Posted by Russell Davey <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/ukautotalk8/info/user=UKAT2748' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 23, 2017, 11:16 am, in reply to "reliable test for head gasket falure diesels"
Andy Davey

Never been a fan of leak detectors - had too many mis-diagnosed over the years.

As Ian says, we connect a pressure tester from cold and watch the pressure. Any more than 10 psi and the head is coming off.

Another good one is to start engine from stone cold with pressure cap off and to watch carefully for any fumes wisping out of the expansion tank.

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