Sympton of blown HG - boosted 4AGZE

[nick.parker]

Hi,

I cant do a compression test until I get home, but...after the last little blast of the throttle before turning into my work's driveway this morning, my car suddenly started sounding like a V8. Pulling spark plug leads off at idle reveals only small and equal rpm slow down effects on cyls 2 & 3. Whereas 1 & 4 nearly stall it. So 2 & 3 have a problem its seems. Could this be a HG failure between 2 & 3? I have tested that all injectors click and all coils spark with dianostic functions in the ECU. Also if it was HG, would I damage the block/head driving it gently home?
Cheers, Nick

[Ben Wilson]

Sounds like it may well have blown between 2 and 3, how far do you have to drive to get home?

[nick.parker]

Its about 30kms to get home.

[Screamn_Sleeka]

if it had a steel head id say "fuck it, go do sum laps around bathurst on the way home", but those alloy heads can be damaged easy.
Unless its a huge blow through the head gasket between 2 and 3, it could be something worse :O
Bigport heads are cheap anyway rnt they?

[TooF]

i probaly wouldnt... can you lock it up at work and come back tomorrow with your compression guage.

none of the usual oil/water buiness ?

[Screamn_Sleeka]

compression test isnt going to tell u much more than u already know btw
if its only blow between cly's u can tell, but yea, as toof said have a look under the radiator cap when its running

[TooF]

could it possibyl be a spark issue there ? sus coil pack ? dodgy lead ?

its not blowing any steam ?

[nick.parker]

No water/oil/steam issues. No coil issues, all injectors click, but I haven't checked deeper than than, I mean one could be blocked and still click. But then perhaps its a little damning that no spark on 2 or three makes little difference. Hmm might leave the car here.....
Cheers, Nick

[Hen]

I'd say you'd be right to drive home.

What will a blown HG actually damage? It may blow more, however it's going to be replaced anyway. And it may overheat, however I'm sure you'll take it easy and keep an eagle eye on the temp gauge.

Maybe leave it til after peak hour though so you aren't sitting in traffic.

Hen

[JustCallMeOrlando]

Mine had very similar symptoms, even though my compression test was perfect. It turns out I had a BHG in two spots. I did about 5000km like that because most of the time it was fine

You'll probably be fine to drive home, but I would instead drive to a radiator place that is open and get them to do a Teekay test for you, it'll tell you for sure. If so, you can drive it straight home and park it, and hope the head isn't warped like mine was

[Ben Wilson]

It possible to blow a head gasket between cylinders without going anywhere near the water jacket or oil galleries.

If it was me, I'd drive it. Take it easy and keep off boost.

[TooF]

I'd say you'd be right to drive home.

What will a blown HG actually damage? It may blow more, however it's going to be replaced anyway. And it may overheat, however I'm sure you'll take it easy and keep an eagle eye on the temp gauge.

Maybe leave it til after peak hour though so you aren't sitting in traffic.

Hen

blow out fill cyl with water crunch-ola hydraulic lock.
drop water into oil munch-ola bearings

but yeah i know these are definantly worst case scenarios..

waiting until after peak hour is a good idea though.

[Adam_Cressi]

yeah hydralic locks suck.. did it in my dads car.. got in trouble

[nick.parker]

I'll baby it home I think, put it into valet mode (seriously) which is a 5000rpm fuel cut and SC clutch off! = crap power! Can anyone recommend where to get some ARP headstuds and a hardy gasket? Or ais a stock gasket best?

Cheers, Nick

[JustCallMeOrlando]

Just use a stock gasket with a nicely cleaned block and a nicely surfaced head.