Cylinder number 4

[HeWhoKillz]

So, some are probably used to me posting about my 91 corolla with a bubbling coolant issue. I finally got a few minutes to go mess with the car and I decided to start the car and pulled off each spark plug wire while it ran. The first three it was worse as it ran but the 4th one it sounded the same since the car has a sputter with it. So can I assume this is the culprit cylinder? I switched the 3rd and 4th spark plugs and wires just to see if the 4th one was bad and it ran the same. I also found I have a bolt that I'm not sure if it broke off or is missing but its on the exhuast manifold. There is a little exposed space and pushing the exhuast manifold up against the engine makes the engine quieter, obviously. But I was thinking, with a small gap between the engine and exhuast manifold, can that cause bubbling in the coolant? Air has to be getting in somewhere. What other steps should I take to deal with the 4th cylinder?

[534BC]

Getting an exhaust gas test done would be in order. It is a pea test that sticks in the radiator , and turns blue liquid pea yellow if combustion gas is present. For number 4 a compression test may be a wise comparison to all the other 3 cylinders.

The exhaust manifold should be bolted on as well (maybe remove the broken bolts? while head is off)?

[HeWhoKillz]

Originally Posted by 534BC

Getting an exhaust gas test done would be in order. It is a pea test that sticks in the radiator , and turns blue liquid pea yellow if combustion gas is present. For number 4 a compression test may be a wise comparison to all the other 3 cylinders.

The exhaust manifold should be bolted on as well (maybe remove the broken bolts? while head is off)?

Sadly the head is back on I haven't put cover that metal cover that goes oever the exhuast manifold yet. I've never done a compression test before. I've seen a few done on youtube, they mostly used an item hooked up to an air compressor and as they tested the cylinders, the bad cylinder made the radiator shoot fluid out of the radiator cap. Is this just called a compression tester? I want to see if autozone lets you rent one. And whats the pee test stick for the radiator called? I know I should junk this car but I'd rather get more knowledge and expiernce working on cars.

[danielsatur]

Bubbles + the smell of gas is a symptom of a bad head Gasket.
I would of gave steel seal a try on this project.
See Google ''Auto head gasket repair steel seal''

[534BC]

It sounds like you are describing a leak down test , and that would work too. A compression test is a pressure gauge inserted into the spark plug hole that measures the cylinder's compression (psi) while cranking.

The pea test (what I call it) is an exhaust gas anylyser and is a fluid that is poured into a container mounted to the radiator neck. The blue fluid turns pea yellow when exhaust gas is present (flowing thru the fluid)

[HeWhoKillz]

Originally Posted by danielsatur

Bubbles + the smell of gas is a symptom of a bad head Gasket.
I would of gave steel seal a try on this project.
See Google ''Auto head gasket repair steel seal''

Well when I changed the head gasket it was fine, according to eveyone else. I used a new one anyways and there is a pin on one side of the top of the block so that you can't install the gasket backwards or upside down. I also had to change the thermostat due to sever overheating. How much over heating does it take to warp the block or head?

[danielsatur]

? It depends if the block is cast iron, or alm.

Did you use new head bolts?
Try doing a coolant pressures test, and look for leaks.

[HeWhoKillz]

Originally Posted by danielsatur

? It depends if the block is cast iron, or alm.

Did you use new head bolts?
Try doing a coolant pressures test, and look for leaks.

New head bolts? No...same ones...wasn't aware of using "new head bolts" I'm pretty sure the block is cast iron. The rest of the engine is aluminim. Perhaps the engine is leaking because of the head bolts. I had a torque stick I borrowed from an old man but the stick was as old as he was so I have no idea if everything was torqued down properly.

[danielsatur]

Do a Google '' Auto head stretch head bolts''
They require different tools, and procedures for torquing.

I like to use Steel seal 1st, because of the time, and money for parts.
Doe's the spark plug on cylinder 4 smell like coolant?

[shorod]

Many engines today use "torque to yield" head bolts that are not designed to be reused, and like danielsatur indicated, require a special torque sequence.

-Rod

[RahX]

They call it torque to yield and should be replaced every time. It can take just one overheat to warp a head. USUALLY it takes quite a bit to warp the deck of the block. It is always a good idea to have the head checked since it could be anything from a warped head to a crack in the head. If it is just a matter of machining the head, make sure if they go over .010" to get a copper head gasket shim of the thickness machined away so you don't run into problems with the timing belt/valve train.

[HeWhoKillz]

Ok so I got the head back off. There is coolant on all four piston tops. The head gasket its self looks like its got burns or as if the covering on the gasket was torn cause I can see through it to the mesh or wire thats inside. I didn't have my video camera so pictures from a phone will do. The first four pictures are all four cylinder holes in the head gasket. If you look at the 4th one, around it are some of the torn areas. The next 4 are the backside of each cylinder on the head gasket. The last two were two of the cylinders with coolant but they all have coolant on them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MimEw7Vq2m4

[HeWhoKillz]

I was also wondering. If you look at the "backside of number 3." Along the bottom there is a U shaped mark where the top of the block rests. There is also similar marks above on the bottom of the head. The first two cylinders have cut out in them like water is supposed to travel through the gasket where the U shaped mark would be at on the 3rd cylinder. but 3 and 4 don't. Except for a small small small tiny hole. Does water not travel by all four cylinders?

[534BC]

I see no problems with the gasket or coolant on top of pistons that couldn't have come from normal disassembly. Generally you don't have to worry about the engineering of the coolant passages as long as your using all same components as stock.