Thread: Overheating Mystery

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Turns out the head gasket or gaskets are bad. I did a combustion lead detection test using the funnel with blue liquid, and the first puff of air coming through the liquid immediately changed the color of the fluid to yellow. In a flash! So.....that's pretty much the answer the to mystery. Now to pull the heads off and see why the gasket/s failed. New engine too. Bad build? Bad heads? Cracked heads or block? All possibilities out on the table. Dang!

I should also have mentioned, that the engine runs great at moving speeds.....freeway driving is a breeze and never gets hot. Only at idle, or in traffic will it heat up. I think the new radiator and fan with shroud can keep up with the gasket leak. Crazy problem, and really no visible symptoms. No water in the oil, no smoke out the back.....no nothin! Just combustion exhaust leaking into the water jackets, heating up that coolant! Learn something new every day!

Who built the engine?

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Originally Posted by NTFDAY

Who built the engine?

Not sure, but think it was an Australian guy "Mobile Mechanic".....someone my cousin knows and did the work before I bought the car. I have been in touch with the guy and he's been great answering the phone and helping me along. Seems like a really nice guy....and gave me a machine shop to work on the heads after I pull them off...$300 for the pair to be re-surfaced, and pressure tested....and some mention about the valves. Sounds way better than I thought.