Search | Car Forums | Gallery | Articles | Helper | AF 350Z | IgorSushko.com | Corporate |
| Latest | 0 Rplys |
06-02-2009, 07:09 PM | #1 | |
AF Regular
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Farmington, Missouri
Posts: 481
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts
|
Cracked head?
A guy at church has a 2001 zx2, said it overheated, then he drove it 30 miles on home. Long story short, couple months ago I went to his house, pulled the rad cap and had him crank it up. Didn't just have bubbles, it shot out like a rocket, not kidding, hit the hood and all. So I figured a bad head gasket or something. He finally got it to my house and I pulled the head Sunday evening. 2 and 3 are the obvious culprits, they have been burning water, only problem, no visual sign on the gasket, head, or block. It could be only on one cylinder, as the gasket right between 2 and 3 looks like the guy who put it on damaged the gasket. It is a steel gasket, and it has 3 crimps in the metal right between the two cylinders. 2 and 3 were able to leak to each other, so it could transfer between cylinder 2 and 3. ALSO, there was coolant in the intake...?? Err, I think it was coolant, could have been straight water to, the "coolant" looked and smelled like mud, so for all I know it could have been straight water too. Coolant doesn't even go through the intake system anywere does it? Gonna have to buy a Haynes from the zone anyway I guess, have to find the procedure to set the cams to put the timing belt back on.
Are there any "known" areas to look for cracks in the heads on these things? Surely the block isn't cracked, I have seen stranger things though....
__________________
10 hours away from John Deere master certified also master certified ASE tech. Exp. in both. Went to school for cars, wound up staying with Deere dealer for a while, so schooling there too. Also couple years exp in GM and some GM training Gave up wrenching for "Greener Pastures" Current job: RN 2010 Silverado Z71 5.3L 65xxx Wife's 2007 Suburban 1500 LTZ 5.3L 102xxx |
|
06-02-2009, 08:15 PM | #2 | |
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Athens, Georgia
Posts: 4,662
Thanks: 0
Thanked 64 Times in 64 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
Go to an automotive machine shop and get the head checked for straightness and pressure tested. This fee is small compared to the problems it will save you and lost time. Sometimes they will repair a cracked head or sell you a used one.
Use a flashlight after you get the block cleaned. Lay it flat and look for cracks especially between cylinders. When done make sure the radiator ,fans and water pump is working. |
|
06-02-2009, 09:25 PM | #3 | |
AF Regular
Thread starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Farmington, Missouri
Posts: 481
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
can an aluminum head be magnafluxed? I am leaning towards that, if its good, then its most likely the block, if its cracked, obviously it needs replaced...
I put a flash light in the cleaned out block and could see nothing. The only other idea I have is to try the UV light I have for leak detection, maybe a uv light will floresce a crack or something, short of that will have to send it to a machine shop I guess. I did however find a reason for the coolant in the intake plenum, the oil is very overfull, mixed with coolant of course, the pcv valve goes right into the lower swell of the block, so overfull oil would go directly to the intake via the pcv valve. So that one is solved. what is the going rate to have one magnafluxed? never had to magnaflux anything in all my years of wrenching, always been able to see the reason for the problem.
__________________
10 hours away from John Deere master certified also master certified ASE tech. Exp. in both. Went to school for cars, wound up staying with Deere dealer for a while, so schooling there too. Also couple years exp in GM and some GM training Gave up wrenching for "Greener Pastures" Current job: RN 2010 Silverado Z71 5.3L 65xxx Wife's 2007 Suburban 1500 LTZ 5.3L 102xxx |
|
06-03-2009, 05:42 AM | #4 | |
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Athens, Georgia
Posts: 4,662
Thanks: 0
Thanked 64 Times in 64 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
I've looked at magnetic particle tests and they used powder and a yoke. The other test they spray on the particles. Aluminum is non magnetic so I don't think it will work.
Machine shops also can do a vacuum test but isn't as good. Really most cracks they know exactly where to look and will spot without charging you anything but may try to sell a valve job. When I had a garage I always used them. When I worked as an inspector I used a flashlight many times hunting cracks. Laying it flat across the top cracks are much more visible. At least let them look at it and give you a price. |
|
06-03-2009, 09:48 AM | #5 |
Nothing scares me anymore
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: City of Light
Posts: 10,702
Thanks: 12
Thanked 82 Times in 77 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
|
06-03-2009, 12:32 PM | #6 |
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Athens, Georgia
Posts: 4,662
Thanks: 0
Thanked 64 Times in 64 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
|
06-04-2009, 12:23 AM | #7 | |
Escort guy
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Garfield, Arkansas
Posts: 2,486
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
I've found that cracks in the head will show up by pouring alcohol onto the surface.
|
|
06-05-2009, 07:12 AM | #8 | |
AF Regular
Thread starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Farmington, Missouri
Posts: 481
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
__________________
10 hours away from John Deere master certified also master certified ASE tech. Exp. in both. Went to school for cars, wound up staying with Deere dealer for a while, so schooling there too. Also couple years exp in GM and some GM training Gave up wrenching for "Greener Pastures" Current job: RN 2010 Silverado Z71 5.3L 65xxx Wife's 2007 Suburban 1500 LTZ 5.3L 102xxx |
|
06-20-2009, 12:28 AM | #9 | |
AF Regular
Thread starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Farmington, Missouri
Posts: 481
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
tryed it tonight, sorry so long to check it out and get back.
NO DICE. I still can't see it, I really don't know why alcohol would work, but I tried it anyhow. Checked in the combustion chambers, and in the intake ports, can't see it, only other thing I know is to pull those 4 valves out and look down in the seat areas, I don't think it is in the intake ports though, they are not "steam cleaned", like they are when water cleans them up....Other than that I guess I'll send it off and have it checked, he will put a new head on it if thats what it needs, but I don't want to put a new head on it and the block be junk, so gotta find a reason for the water burn.
__________________
10 hours away from John Deere master certified also master certified ASE tech. Exp. in both. Went to school for cars, wound up staying with Deere dealer for a while, so schooling there too. Also couple years exp in GM and some GM training Gave up wrenching for "Greener Pastures" Current job: RN 2010 Silverado Z71 5.3L 65xxx Wife's 2007 Suburban 1500 LTZ 5.3L 102xxx |
|
06-20-2009, 04:56 AM | #10 | |
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Athens, Georgia
Posts: 4,662
Thanks: 0
Thanked 64 Times in 64 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
Try some kerosene and rub it on with a rag wipe off any excess. Sprinkle talcum powder on it a crack will show up.
|
|
06-20-2009, 11:04 PM | #11 | |
AF Regular
Thread starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Farmington, Missouri
Posts: 481
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
I wonder if the crack is on the "inside, or blind to me" part of the head, I obviously cant contort myself into all the passages of the heads. Funny thing to me is the intake ports aren't steam cleaned, so that means it has to be either in the block, or the combustion chambers, just cant beleive I can't see it...
__________________
10 hours away from John Deere master certified also master certified ASE tech. Exp. in both. Went to school for cars, wound up staying with Deere dealer for a while, so schooling there too. Also couple years exp in GM and some GM training Gave up wrenching for "Greener Pastures" Current job: RN 2010 Silverado Z71 5.3L 65xxx Wife's 2007 Suburban 1500 LTZ 5.3L 102xxx |
|
06-21-2009, 07:40 AM | #12 | |
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Athens, Georgia
Posts: 4,662
Thanks: 0
Thanked 64 Times in 64 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
Some machine shops can do a head repair I would at least get a quote. They clamp them in a pressure tester and can pin point the leak.
Look at a scrap yard for a used head and get a valve job or price a used from the shop. http://www.ebay.com/ Search for a used head. |
|
07-19-2009, 07:03 PM | #13 | |
AF Regular
Thread starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Farmington, Missouri
Posts: 481
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
I sent the head off a couple weeks ago, just wanted to update here.
They pressure test and said it is not cracked, but it was warped .016!!!!!! I think thats enough warp to go across to gasket and not even leave a trace. Machine shop asked me if the oh cams were binding in the head, they weren't, but apparently usually with that much warp the cams start binding up in the bearing bores. So, been kinda lookng around, looks like its probably a trip to pick and pull. What year heads will fit this dude?
__________________
10 hours away from John Deere master certified also master certified ASE tech. Exp. in both. Went to school for cars, wound up staying with Deere dealer for a while, so schooling there too. Also couple years exp in GM and some GM training Gave up wrenching for "Greener Pastures" Current job: RN 2010 Silverado Z71 5.3L 65xxx Wife's 2007 Suburban 1500 LTZ 5.3L 102xxx |
|
07-21-2009, 12:46 AM | #14 | |
Escort guy
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Garfield, Arkansas
Posts: 2,486
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
Anything from 98-03 should fit. Check casting numbers: XS7E AD, XS7E AE.
|
|
01-31-2010, 12:26 AM | #15 | |
AF Regular
Thread starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Farmington, Missouri
Posts: 481
Thanks: 0
Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts
|
Re: Cracked head?
WOW, this thread is old, makes me think there aren't many posts here.
Anyway, finally got around to putting another head on this thing, seems to have fixed it, doesn't get hot and doesn't have the explosive coolant trick. Anyway, put it back together and it idles rough and smokes at idle, runs like a raped up when you take it down the road, it is obvious the zetec is working, only way a 2.0 would have that much zip. Think there is a chance i got the exhaust cam off just a bit or is there something else. I don't see a cam/valve timing issue cause it runs so good on top, but every day is a learning exp. I don't wanna rule it out. I could use a screwdriver through the gear and a wrench on the cam on the intake cam, but couldn't hold the gear on the exhaust, just the cam. So could it be or is it something else. By the way, no trouble codes, runs out good otherwise, just crappy idle and some smoke, can't id the smell of the smoke, it is just weird, kinda rich smell, but not really. Def not antifreeze or oil...
__________________
10 hours away from John Deere master certified also master certified ASE tech. Exp. in both. Went to school for cars, wound up staying with Deere dealer for a while, so schooling there too. Also couple years exp in GM and some GM training Gave up wrenching for "Greener Pastures" Current job: RN 2010 Silverado Z71 5.3L 65xxx Wife's 2007 Suburban 1500 LTZ 5.3L 102xxx |
|
|
POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD |
|
|