I smell coolant

[King Nothing]

Originally Posted by Cyber10

You can buy a block test, pressure test, or leakdown test kit from NAPA for relatively cheap. Definitely under $100.

When I was chasing my coolant leak I bought a block tester and pressure tester, only to find out that it was sealed properly. Finally noticed a weird residue on the underside of my hood. Replaced radiator cap and no more leak. My best bet is that the cap wasn't sealing properly anymore and coolant was evaporating out, which would explain why all of my cooling system connections and tubing was always dry. Also the pressure tester I bought had a connection so you can test radiator caps, I think they're rated to hold 18 PSI? Mine wasn't holding even half of that.

I did however go and change my head and intake gaskets shortly after for safe measure, mostly because I had a hose break earlier that year and overheated the engine so wasn't sure what kind of condition they were in to begin with.

Did you at least do a cam and lifters when you removed the heads??

[Cyber10]

Originally Posted by King Nothing

Did you at least do a cam and lifters when you removed the heads??

Nope, just gaskets. I had already thrown enough money at that car trying to chase down a couple problems with fuel and then cooling system so wasn't trying to throw more money than I had to in it. Really the only reason I went ahead and replaced what I did was because I wanted to try my hand at cracking the engine open and seeing what was what inside lol.

Car ran great after that and was free of coolant leaks but burned up the fuel pump about 2 months later, replaced that and traded in as I was tired of chasing little things one after another.

[King Nothing]

Originally Posted by Cyber10

Nope, just gaskets. I had already thrown enough money at that car trying to chase down a couple problems with fuel and then cooling system so wasn't trying to throw more money than I had to in it. Really the only reason I went ahead and replaced what I did was because I wanted to try my hand at cracking the engine open and seeing what was what inside lol.

Car ran great after that and was free of coolant leaks but burned up the fuel pump about 2 months later, replaced that and traded in as I was tired of chasing little things one after another.

Gotcha!