Cascade Crew

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

So I have been having an issue with my radiator building a lot of pressure and being a little foamy on top. So I assumed head gaskets. Well I did compression test today and all cylinders were withen 10 psi. So should I assume head gaskets are fine.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject:

Only way to know is to remove the spark plugs, and pressure test the cooling system. See if the pressure drops, or stays. Or use some combustion testing dye in a sample of the coolant to see if combustion gas is entering there.

Compression tests are really worthless.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

At Oriellys they have a radiator pressure testing tool. Think that works?? Also where can I get this dye you speak of. And besides head gaskets, where else could air get in at

MrMike98 · Member Joined: 18 May 2010 Posts: 231 Location: Bremerton

try takeing a coolant sample to ur local radiator shop, they can run a quick check for combustion products in that coolant...
just anouther method,

izcain · Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:14 pm Post subject:

A cylinder leak down test may reveal some clues as well.

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

I don't know how to do leakdown test. I am going to try chemical test first. Would a leaking exuast manifold let gas into cooling system??

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:18 pm Post subject:

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

With my compression numbers being so close, and the fact I have 882 heads, would it be a decent assumption that heads have small cracks. I am not showing any of the other signs of broken head gasket such as overheating, coolent in oil or smelly exaust

iansane · Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:36 pm Post subject:

How do you know it's building excess pressure?

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

Cause it gets a lot of small bubbles ( foam) it the radiator, also when I start it instead of it flowing nice is just starts spewing out radiator ( if I have cap off)