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4276 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2006 at 1:11 AM

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#4090 of 4276 Re: Potential repair in my future??? [shipo] by mfahey1 Jul 14, 2006 (12:31 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Jul 13, 2006 7:08 pm) A good repair facility can pressurize the cooling system in order to determine if there are internal leaks. The cost of the diagnostics might well be offset by pinpointing where your problem is before diving in before possibly doing an unnecessary repair. Replies to this message: shipo (Jul 14, 2006 1:40 pm) mfahey1 (Jul 15, 2006 11:44 am) shipo (Jul 15, 2006 8:54 pm) and 4 more...
#4091 of 4276 Re: Potential repair in my future??? [mfahey1] by shipo Jul 14, 2006 (1:40 pm)
Replying to: mfahey1 (Jul 14, 2006 12:31 pm) I've asked about that elsewhere and so far no answer. So, assuming that there are no leaks in the radiator, the heater core and the hoses, how exactly do they pinpoint where the leak is inside of an engine without partially disassembling the engine?   I ask because I'm pretty sure the leak is from a bad head gasket, however, I don't want to tear it apart to find that both gaskets are fully intact (meaning that the problem is most likely one of the two heads).   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: mfahey1 (Jul 15, 2006 11:44 am) shipo (Jul 15, 2006 8:54 pm) mfahey1 (Jul 16, 2006 6:30 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jul 16, 2006 7:20 am) and 2 more...
#4092 of 4276 Re: 01 DGC EX Spark Plug and Wire Replacement [shipo] by masterpaul1 Jul 14, 2006 (4:36 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Jul 13, 2006 6:02 pm) Thanks Shipo. I will be doing it in a few weeks. I will let you all know how it went. It looks pretty easy from you instructions.
#4093 of 4276 Re: 01 DGC EX Spark Plug and Wire Replacement [mfahey1] by masterpaul1 Jul 14, 2006 (4:38 pm)
Replying to: mfahey1 (Jul 14, 2006 12:28 pm) Sorry about that. It's the 3.8L engine. So how did you get at the rear plugs and wires? How long did it take and was it hard? Replies to this message: mfahey1 (Jul 15, 2006 11:40 am)
#4094 of 4276 Re: 01 DGC EX Spark Plug and Wire Replacement [masterpaul1] by mfahey1 Jul 15, 2006 (11:40 am)
Replying to: masterpaul1 (Jul 14, 2006 4:38 pm) From what I remember, it was mostly from the top and mostly by feel(and maybe a few bad words). I've also done my Bonneville and that was much worse. You'll have to use a combination of extensions and a swivel but again, I felt it was pretty straight forward.
#4095 of 4276 Re: Potential repair in my future??? [shipo] by mfahey1 Jul 15, 2006 (11:44 am)
Replying to: shipo (Jul 14, 2006 1:40 pm) Assuming that pressurizing the cooling system indicates an internal engine leak, they would then do a compression test. If the test shows low compression on two adjacent cylinders, that's a head gasket leak. If the compression check is ok, then that would indicate a cracked head. Replies to this message: shipo (Jul 15, 2006 8:54 pm) mfahey1 (Jul 16, 2006 6:30 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jul 16, 2006 7:20 am) shipo (Jul 16, 2006 8:02 am) and 1 more...
#4096 of 4276 Electrical fire in speakers? by lotsofvans Jul 15, 2006 (1:10 pm)
Just laid down $3100 for a very clean 98 Caravan (private), switched my insurance, drove it for 3 miles to test, and let my wife have it... when she called me to report a fire that required the rear right interior to be ripped out, as flames were coming out the speaker grill! No apparent previous damage, no aftermarket add-ons... just a short? Can speakers get that hot, and so what about the fusing system? Anybody got a gray front-ended wreck to scrap out? Replies to this message: 97xpresso (Jul 17, 2006 9:18 am)
#4097 of 4276 Re: Potential repair in my future??? [mfahey1] by shipo Jul 15, 2006 (8:54 pm)
Replying to: mfahey1 (Jul 15, 2006 11:44 am) Assuming that pressurizing the cooling system indicates an internal engine leak, they would then do a compression test. If the test shows low compression on two adjacent cylinders, that's a head gasket leak. If the compression check is ok, then that would indicate a cracked head.   Hmmm, I'm thinking that there is a third possibility. I've wrenched on plenty of engines (in years gone by) that had neither a compression problem on any cylinders or a cracked head. The problem would instead turn out to be a failed head gasket between a coolant gallery and either the lifter valley (on "V" type engines) or an oil return drain, both of which will allow coolant to drain into the oil pan without a crack or a low cylinder.   FWIW, while I haven't performed a compression test, I have no indication that there is a low cylinder (which doesn't necessarily mean that there isn't one). I suppose a cylinder leak down test and a borescope could help rule out a leak into a cylinder, however, having that diagnosis performed will cost at least half of the total cost of overhauling the top end of the engine.   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: mfahey1 (Jul 16, 2006 6:30 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jul 16, 2006 7:20 am) shipo (Jul 16, 2006 8:02 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jul 17, 2006 9:18 am)
#4098 of 4276 Re: Potential repair in my future??? [shipo] by mfahey1 Jul 16, 2006 (6:30 am)
Replying to: shipo (Jul 15, 2006 8:54 pm) I've also been thinking some more about it and you're right. Not saying this is the same but the GM 3.8L engines have had a terrible problem since 1996 with leaks from the intake manifold into the engine.
#4099 of 4276 Re: Potential repair in my future??? [shipo] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jul 16, 2006 (7:20 am)
Replying to: shipo (Jul 15, 2006 8:54 pm) why don't you run some block sealant. Maybe you have a really minor defect in the gasket in a non-critical area. Replies to this message: shipo (Jul 16, 2006 8:02 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jul 17, 2006 9:18 am)

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