80 series Blown head gasket diagnosis

[MDS]

Hi every one
Im looking to purchase a toyota landcruiser 80 series 91 4.2 diesel 280 000 km. I have had it check over by two mechanics. Both have said for its age the vehicle is in great condition. But my problem is one mechanic has found bubbles in the radiator and thinks may have a head gsket problem. The other mechanic did a chemical test an has said the head is ok an the bubbles are comming from a leak in the radiator.
Question is how do you correctly diagnose a head gasket problem.

[trains]

If it was mine, and the chemical test came back OK, then I would assume the bubbles are not coming from the head gasket.
Get it double checked at a rad center if you really want to.
Those chemical testers are pretty sensitive.

Another thing to note, if combustion gasses are passing thru into the cooling system, it will pressurise the cooling system to the point of blowing out the overflow continually, cold or warm. And if bad, split hoses, or whatever the weakest link is.

When you start from cold, and the engine warms, you naturally get some pressure in the system. Im not talking about that.

Anyway, bubbles can happen when you take of the rad cap, and inspect the coolant, could be a trapped air pocket from the heater core etc.

If the rad is leaking, a pressure test will show it leaking externally under pressure.

Hope that helps.

Are you sure the other mechanic does not want to buy it ;) LOL

Trains

[MDS]

Thanks for your advice.
Is it a common problem for head gaskets to blow on these motors ?
And do what it costs to have head gasket replaced

[udm]

Thanks for your advice.
Is it a common problem for head gaskets to blow on these motors ?
And do what it costs to have head gasket replacedhead gaskets are not a common problem on the diesels...

[trains]

If your really serious, get a compression test, and leak down test done.

If a second independant chemical test of the head comes back ok.
Then that would be enough for me.

Trains

[trains]

So how have things gone, did you get it checked again, and get it??

Trains

[ryno_0000]

i just had 2 chemical test done on mine and both prove my head gasket is cracked or blown, no milky water or oil yet so it wont be drive till i fix it, its a nissan 2.8 td and ive been quited around 4500 for the repair and new head, that should give u the idea of what one will cost to fix on a deisel, hope this helps

[HiCountryCruisr]

i just had 2 chemical test done on mine and both prove my head gasket is cracked or blown, no milky water or oil yet so it wont be drive till i fix it, its a nissan 2.8 td and ive been quited around 4500 for the repair and new head, that should give u the idea of what one will cost to fix on a deisel, hope this helps


Probably better off bying a 2nd hand engine for that price, that way you've got a spare block if something else goes wrong. Or get a price to fix from someone else.

[udm]

i just had 2 chemical test done on mine and both prove my head gasket is cracked or blown, no milky water or oil yet so it wont be drive till i fix it, its a nissan 2.8 td and ive been quited around 4500 for the repair and new head, that should give u the idea of what one will cost to fix on a deisel, hope this helpswhy did they quote a new head? :crazy: btw it pays to know how to do it, we just fully rebuilt a 1hdt for 3g :D

[ryno_0000]

yeh that was one of the considerations im taking into account, i justdont wanna have 2 suffed engines haha

[ryno_0000]

why did they quote a new head? :crazy: btw it pays to know how to do it, we just fully rebuilt a 1hdt for 3g http://www.4wdaction.com.au/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
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because the 2nd mechnic i took it to said that after 10 years of heating up and cooling down the alloy head weakens and the new head that was designed by nissan in 03 is heavier but alot stronger and it comes with a 12month gaurentee

[udm]

the new head that was designed by nissan in 03 is heavier but alot strongeri personally dont believe the head would be any different than the early ones.

you will probably just need to get your own head reconditioned and head gasket replaced, unless you are thinking of completely stripping it down and rebuilding the whole engine.

[ryno_0000]

im currently thinking of what to do, i was giong to get it opened up and then gofrom there, hopefully its all in good nick as i believe it has only just happened, but if spending an extra grand on a new head means i will get double the life out of it, im happy to pay it, if thats not the case i will get it reconditioned, cheers for your advice btw, what model truck is that you have?

[udm]

i have just noticed your signature and then realized you were actually talking about a nissan td :o so please forget about my comment in regards to head differences... i know nothing about nissans :crazy:

i really thought you were the same person that posted the initial post, my bad.

btw. my car is a 1990 gxl 3f petrol, but now turbo diesel since 2005 :D

[ryno_0000]

yeh i couldnt quite pick it from the pic, good looking pic thou haha yeh i just thought i would give MDS an idea of what its costing me to get my diesel repaired

[MDS]

Thanks again for all your advice. I did purchase the car. The bubbles in the radiator where caused by a leak in the radiator. A new radiator was put in an the bubbles have gone. Happy days

[trains]

Thanks again for all your advice. I did purchase the car. The bubbles in the radiator where caused by a leak in the radiator. A new radiator was put in an the bubbles have gone. Happy days


Excellent to hear.

What are you going to do to it next ;)

Trains