Ken-co repair kit?

[Drewet88]

I know I ask alot of questions but will the Ken-co repair kit fix a blown head gasket?

If so where can I order it from?

Thanks.

[HotZ28]

"will the Ken-co repair kit fix a blown head gasket"?

The Ken-Co kit is for the intake manifold coolant leak problem. It has nothing to do with a blown head gasket. Have you done the basic compression test, leak-down test, or the radiator pressure test, to determine if you really have a blown head gasket? The reason I ask is, blown head gaskets are rare on the 3800 engine. If it is really blown, it would more than likely be due to extreme overheating. The manifold leak is much more common on the 95-00 Buicks.

[Drewet88]

Would it still possibly be a manifold leak if it blew out white smoke. I haven't done anything to the car yet because I am buying it and the person selling says its a blown head gasket because he found some coolant in the oil and it blew out white smoke.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by Drewet88

Would it still possibly be a manifold leak if it blew out white smoke. I haven't done anything to the car yet because I am buying it and the person selling says its a blown head gasket because he found some coolant in the oil and it blew out white smoke.

Yes, absolutely, if the manifold was leaking it could be ingested into the combustion chamber and blow white smoke.

The lower intake can also leak into the crankcase and dilute the oil. (Milky looking substance in the valve cover)


More info on the plastic manifold EGR tube failure;
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ht=intake+leak
(L36 MOTOR PLASTIC INTAKE)

[Drewet88]

Hhhhhhmmmmmmmmm. Is there any way i can see if it is a leaking manifold or if it is a blown head gasket or would I have to take the engine apart to find out?

Would scanning the engine for codes tell me anything?

[HotZ28]

Normally, if I suspect a leaking cylinder, (blown head gasket), I use a leak-down tester. A leak-down tester, has a hose that screws in place of the sparkplug, and you apply 100 psi of air to the cylinder (with both valves closed) and measure % of cylinder leak-down. It is comprised of a regulator,air hose and two gauges with an orifice in between. One gage will show pressure applied and the other shows a lesser amount. Subtract the lesser amount from the applied amount and that equals the % of cylinder leakage. (100-85=15%) Usually you can hear where the leak is, if you have a leak. If it is the head gasket leaking into the cooling system, you would see air bubbles in the radiator, (if it has coolant in it). Anything above 15-20% leakage on a normally healthy cylinder indicates you have a problem. Also the compression test I mentioned earlier can be used to the same effect, if you have a blown head gasket; it would show a lower compression on either one, or two cylinders (side by side), than the others.

The radiator pressure test is another way to test leakage; however that would only tell you if the head gasket is blown between the combustion chamber and the cooling system.

Now, if it is just the manifold leaking, you can test that easy with a radiator pressure test!

[auto trainy]

I totaly agree with hot-z and if you can't do these tests I would find someone that can.