Thoughts on possible head gasket issue...
stuarbc
Jeeper
Jeep overheated on me a few weeks ago. My temp gauge isn't working so I didn't realize it until I smelled some oil burning on the engine (from valve cover leak).
Towed jeep back and realized radiator was empty. Refilled the radiator and jeep would get really hot and not seeing any circulation in the radiator with cap off. Ran a combustion gas check in coolant system and was negative. Decided that the thermostat may be the issue and decided to overhaul the coolant system. Replaced radiator, lines, water pump, thermostat.
Ran jeep with new coolant system and was now seeing flow in radiator when thermostat opened. However, was still seeing smoke from engine. Used a infrared thermo to check temp and nothing looked too hot. Looked to be coming from around the upper seal of the exhaust manifold. Figured it was probably residual oil from valve cover leak.....so pulled off valve cover and replaced gasket.
Ran the engine again and still hear sizzling and see a little smoke. I could still see what looks like coolant at the top joint of the manifold to head....but don't really see where it is leaking from. I almost feel like it might actually be seeping from that section instead of coming from elsewhere and sizzling.
I don't have any sign of coolant in my oil and tests were negative for combustion gases in my radiator.....but I read a few threads that made it sound like you could have a ruptured head gasket and not see those symptoms. So I decided to take the easy route and try some blue devil product to seal a possible ruptured head gasket.
Installed per the directions yesterday and ran at idle for 50 minutes. I was checking temp across the engine the whole time with the infrared thermometer. Temps were climbing slowly....but seemed under control. I checked and after about 10 minutes or so....the "leak" at the exhaust manifold seemed to be dry. Thought I might have solved the problem. About 45 minutes in the temperatures started to climb. Right at the end of the test, I was showing up to around 230-235 degF at the thermostat housing. As soon as I turned off the engine, the radiator boiled over out the overflow line.
Struggling with what is going on. Several folks keep saying ruptured head gasket.....but I don't understand why I wouldn't have any of the symptoms....white smoke exhaust, oil in coolant, coolant in oil, etc. I don't even see bubbles in the radiator when its running. Engine seems to be running great other than the heating up issue.
I don't mind changing the head gasket....but not really looking forward to it. Especially without fully knowing that is the issue.
Looking for some thoughts on whether anyone else has experienced this and/or has any recommendations on what to check next.
One thought I had was whether the exhaust could be restricted....like if the cat convert was clogged....whether that could have ruptured an exhaust seal and also cause motor to overheat. But I wouldn't think I would see the liquid there with an exhaust leak. Also don't really know how to test that without just tearing the exhaust off and seeing what happens.
P.S.....I have been told to do a compression check...even though it seems to be running fine. I bought a kit but I can't get the test kit connected to the spark plug housing. The recessed design won't fit the test kit. going to order an extension and see what that looks like.
Towed jeep back and realized radiator was empty. Refilled the radiator and jeep would get really hot and not seeing any circulation in the radiator with cap off. Ran a combustion gas check in coolant system and was negative. Decided that the thermostat may be the issue and decided to overhaul the coolant system. Replaced radiator, lines, water pump, thermostat.
Ran jeep with new coolant system and was now seeing flow in radiator when thermostat opened. However, was still seeing smoke from engine. Used a infrared thermo to check temp and nothing looked too hot. Looked to be coming from around the upper seal of the exhaust manifold. Figured it was probably residual oil from valve cover leak.....so pulled off valve cover and replaced gasket.
Ran the engine again and still hear sizzling and see a little smoke. I could still see what looks like coolant at the top joint of the manifold to head....but don't really see where it is leaking from. I almost feel like it might actually be seeping from that section instead of coming from elsewhere and sizzling.
I don't have any sign of coolant in my oil and tests were negative for combustion gases in my radiator.....but I read a few threads that made it sound like you could have a ruptured head gasket and not see those symptoms. So I decided to take the easy route and try some blue devil product to seal a possible ruptured head gasket.
Installed per the directions yesterday and ran at idle for 50 minutes. I was checking temp across the engine the whole time with the infrared thermometer. Temps were climbing slowly....but seemed under control. I checked and after about 10 minutes or so....the "leak" at the exhaust manifold seemed to be dry. Thought I might have solved the problem. About 45 minutes in the temperatures started to climb. Right at the end of the test, I was showing up to around 230-235 degF at the thermostat housing. As soon as I turned off the engine, the radiator boiled over out the overflow line.
Struggling with what is going on. Several folks keep saying ruptured head gasket.....but I don't understand why I wouldn't have any of the symptoms....white smoke exhaust, oil in coolant, coolant in oil, etc. I don't even see bubbles in the radiator when its running. Engine seems to be running great other than the heating up issue.
I don't mind changing the head gasket....but not really looking forward to it. Especially without fully knowing that is the issue.
Looking for some thoughts on whether anyone else has experienced this and/or has any recommendations on what to check next.
One thought I had was whether the exhaust could be restricted....like if the cat convert was clogged....whether that could have ruptured an exhaust seal and also cause motor to overheat. But I wouldn't think I would see the liquid there with an exhaust leak. Also don't really know how to test that without just tearing the exhaust off and seeing what happens.
P.S.....I have been told to do a compression check...even though it seems to be running fine. I bought a kit but I can't get the test kit connected to the spark plug housing. The recessed design won't fit the test kit. going to order an extension and see what that looks like.
