Cracked head-What to do?

[kugzs]

My recently purchased POS VL has a suspected cracked head. First time i took it for more than a 5 minute drive it was overheating pretty badly. Coolant was like a brown fudge and was bubbling.

Anyway, how long before the engine totally dies? What can i do to maximise the life of this engine?. Ive heard that keeping the heater on full blast might help??

Thanks

[Crazyracer]

Could be just a blown head gasket.

But VLs had to have the cooling system power bled as the radiator sits lower than the engine due to the drooping nose on them. This is a problem the R31 skyline with the same engine didn't have.

You basically have to force the air out of the system as when is rises to the top it sits in the head rather than going to the radiator and out of the cap.

Take the car to a garage that knows how to bleed the cooling system properly and see if that helps.

[EldarO]

chemi-weld in the radiator for a patch up jobbie to keep it running.

and the heater just acts as another radiator for the heat to get out of the coolant, so could help.

but chemi-weld is the stuff your looking for.

Elmo.

[MWP]

Itll probably be a cracked head, they are very well known for the problem.

Chemi-Weld might keep it going for a bit longer.

If you actually want to fix the problem, try to find a cheapie replacement head, or have your cracked head welded up (ive had this done before with good results).

[kugzs]

can someone please elaborate on how to chemi-weld it?

i was going to just replace the engine, but if i can get a mate to teach me how to replace the head it might be a good chance to learn!

[30psi 4agte]

chemi weld is a bottle of liqiud that you can buy. You just pour the stuff into the radiator and let it do its job. If its a bad lak / crack you may need two bottles. If ts really bad ...... Get on your knees and pray !

[30psi 4agte]

VLs had to have the cooling system power bled as the radiator sits lower than the engine due to the drooping nose on them. This is a problem the R31 skyline with the same engine didn't have.
.

Good to see someone knows their shit !

[IN 05 NT]

Could be just a blown head gasket.

But VLs had to have the cooling system power bled as the radiator sits lower than the engine due to the drooping nose on them. This is a problem the R31 skyline with the same engine didn't have.

You basically have to force the air out of the system as when is rises to the top it sits in the head rather than going to the radiator and out of the cap.

Take the car to a garage that knows how to bleed the cooling system properly and see if that helps.

that what i was going to say workmate has a R31, and has been a mechanic since they were new,

never had to do work on the skylines, but the VL's were as common as the 7M BHG's




i dont know if yoru interesed, but matt, workmate also has a VL sitting here in the workshop that he bought for the motor,...(to replace his skyline one with 500,000ks )

but i dont think that is going to happen,....will ask if he wants to sell it...n fit it for you too

[crowncustom]

Why not just flush the coolant system and see what that does for starters and check the thermostat also.
Cheers Brett.

[o_man_ra23]

Can you park on a steep hill nose up and bleed like that?? Or jack the front end right up and bleed??

Go the chemi-weld... but you should just stick a 1JZ in there and fix all your problems Better yet, polish, sell to bogan, buy cressida, profit

Cheers, Owen

[Crazyracer]

I wouldn't really use chemi-weld as a long term solution, although I know some people do. Its more one of those get to the end of the week type solutions.

Don't let that put you off giving it a go though.

Don't know how well you'd go getting the head welded up. The alloy head will warp as you weld it, and being an overhead cam there will be a lot of stuffing around to get it all true and running properly again.

I'd be checking out the wreckers for a head or motor in decent condition. Probably go for an R31 motor or head as it is less likely to have had the same problem. Should be pretty cheap, especially if you go to a DIY wrecker.

[o_man_ra23]

Anyway, how long before the engine totally dies? What can i do to maximise the life of this engine?. Ive heard that keeping the heater on full blast might help??

Thanks

To maximise the life, rebuild it and fix the problem. To do it on the cheap, Chemiweld is your best chance. How long do you need it to run for?? Is the cappachino in the oil or bubbles in the water?? If not, then you should be pretty right with some chemiweld, else you may be experiencing the dreaded 7M disease, where a new head may be the only solution.

Cheers, Owen

[kugzs]

ideally id like it to last till december. bubbling was in the radiator overflow bottle.

Might flush it and give the chemiweld a go but if it is still no good then, the VL might be good Blake. (Would also give me a shell to fit a real motor too!)

Get me a price and ill speak to you soon

[wraith]

Chemiweld it if your feeling rich, otherwise I've had very good results with pepper. You can buy vast quantities of pepper for small amounts of money. And you can just keep putting more and more and more in... generally, a motor will run badly for an extended period before it gives up altogether. December here we come!

[o_man_ra23]

Yeah, have heard the pepper trick, never tried it though. If you do give it a shot, let us know how it goes for future reference. I would assume you would use the finely ground stuff - correct me if I am wrong on that though.

Cheers, Owen