Overheating problem

[Hemidare]

Hey guys i have a 89 shadow and am having weird overheating problem. When i drive it for a bit it starts to run warm then your drive for a bit more and it gets warmer about 3/4's of the way. Then if you wot it for any length of time it really starts to get warm all the way to one notch below boiling.

So i changed the thermostat and put a hole in the top of it and it is still doing the same thing but in the morning going to work it just sits nice and cool and if i idle it in the driveway with the a/c cranked it will idle nice and cool as well.

[inmyshadow]

have you taken a look at the front of the radiator? The radiator could be rusted, clogged or have chunks of missing fins. Your radiator could have a combination of any three.

[Hemidare]

yeah i am pretty sure it is my head gasket is gone. oh well gonna go and change it right now. After i check the compression.

[magtec]

why do you think it's the head gasket? it sounds like the radiator.

[Hemidare]

then why is there no water in the head. I took the thermostat out and it was dry as a bone in the head. It sounds to like the head gasket has gone and the compression is pressurizing the cooling system and is pushing all of the water out of the head and into the radiator where it has to expel it somehow.

[Hemidare]

But i am open to any suggestions.

[puppet]

then why is there no water in the head.

Because there is a leak. Either in the radiator/hoses/cap/overfill tube or, a BHG/cracked head. Do a leakdown test. That will either confirm or not a BHG/cracked head. You can then move on to the external cooling system if this checks out OK.

[Hemidare]

i checked my compression.
CYL 1 - 130
CYL 2 - 140
CYL 3 - 155
CYL 4 - 145

I will head out right now and check my leak down test how long do you let it sit for?

[Hemidare]

I am going to replace the radiator cap. And see if it is ok.

[puppet]

A leakdown test measures the loss of cylinder pressure like right now. You don't "let it sit" ... unless your talking about a pressure test of the coolant system (?).

[Will Martin]

My guess is a cracked head.

[Hemidare]

Thanks Will that is a very cheery thought.

What a jerk......

I can't see a crack with a light or anything and the bottom of the head is very nice and shiny so it would be fairly easy to see well i will clean it up a bit better and see will keep you guys posted!

[Will Martin]

Actually, I meant for that to be a sad face. You know....I HAVE been up since 2am and worked from 4:30am to 6:30pm and didn't get home 'til 7:30pm. I'll edit it to show true sympathy.

[Hemidare]

Ok i found a little crack near the water jacket near cylinder 2 dammit and my spare i havent actually checked and it is worse it would seem.

Anyone have a spare head?

[inmyshadow]

I'd check to see if you can get the head repaired first. Probably the same cost as finding a good used head.

later

Ok i found a little crack near the water jacket near cylinder 2 dammit and my spare i havent actually checked and it is worse it would seem.

Anyone have a spare head?

[Will Martin]

Ok i found a little crack near the water jacket near cylinder 2 dammit and my spare i havent actually checked and it is worse it would seem.

Anyone have a spare head?

Told ya. It was expanding under heat and pressure. Been there, done that.

[Whorse]

Well we went out today and pulled one off of a car, which wasn't actually too bad. After looking at the cracks, I dunno if I'd repair it. Also he needs it to be running on Tuesday for work, so the repair downtime would be too long.

[Will Martin]

One suggestion; make sure you run a straight edge against the surface of the head to make sure it's not warped. You'll be changing another headgasket in a week if it is. And I'm off @ 1pm today if you need a hand.

[Hemidare]

Well Will i need a hand today if you have a few minutes of time. I mean hours!

Give me a call later and let me know if you can come by thanks man.

[Will Martin]

Well Will i need a hand today if you have a few minutes of time. I mean hours!

Give me a call later and let me know if you can come by thanks man.

Not too sure if I can make it today...just got home from work 2 minutes ago (3:00-been gone since 3:30am). Let me take a nap then I'll call you.