Dear all,
I recently fixed a blown head gasket and intake gasket. The engine works fine. After a day or two i had problems starting...and the battery was low. I charged it...it fired fine again. Next day battery was low again and it was hard to start. I baught a new battery as the other was 4 years old. Again new battery low after 1 day.
I then followed general tests to find problems. A short was detected by placing a voltmeter inline with first the positive then negative terminal...both showed 10 volts with ignition off. I checked frame and engine as ground and both were 3-4 ohms. With the battery ground removed...there was still the same voltage on the pos n negative. I then went through all the fuses 2x on the negative and once on the posative and nothing broke the current...ie no circuit leak. I checked other engine block ground points and they were fine. Tested alternator and its cranking at 14-14.5 with the battery. The battery holds enough charge for about 6-7 hours after running for 20 min to start. Overnight or all day it is drained enough to prevent starting or will take several tries. No blown fuses, even the starter inline fuses.
I live about 1 hour from any city and have the general tools and a voltmeter. I woundered if anyone had suggestions on battery draining shorts...and might know how to proceed further. . Any help is appriciated. Steve