head gasket leaking...

wranglerrambler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2006
Location
oxford,nc
How can i check to see if my head gasket is leaking (internally/in between the cylinders)? I'm starting to wonder if that may be an issue with my TJ (4.0) not recranking when hot.
 
I'm currently doing something similiar to my 4.0. A leak down tester will tell you if your head gasket is gone. They sell them at harbor freight for like $30. I also just used a tool that a mech. buddy has that hooks to your radiator at the cap and pumps up pressure and checks to see if you head will hold pressure. A blown headgasket won't hold pressure.

Another thing to check that would be easier to replace...

Check your Crank Position Sensor or Throttle Position Sensor (whichever one connects to a plug near the back of the engine and runs down behind the block to the tranny) Mine went out and would "kill" the engine with no recrank when my engine compartment got hot. Do a search on here and pirate it's pretty common on 4.0's.
 
You can also do a compression test, and if you have two side by side cylinders with bad compression, chances are a bad head gasket.
 
mmmkay325 said:
I'm currently doing something similiar to my 4.0. A leak down tester will tell you if your head gasket is gone. They sell them at harbor freight for like $30. I also just used a tool that a mech. buddy has that hooks to your radiator at the cap and pumps up pressure and checks to see if you head will hold pressure. A blown headgasket won't hold pressure.



Also with the coolant pressure tester hook it up do not pump it. Start the vehicle, if pressure builds up fairly quick you have a bad head gasket or cracked head. This is a very effective way to test it.



A sure sign
Click to expand...
 
check your oil is it milky? if not odds are its not a head gasket look into sensors and maybe have it scanned to see if all the sensors are getting proper voltage. if buy some chance ur head gasket is leaking or messed up try retorquing (sp)? according to the FSM

edit: are you lossing coolent or oil if not what makes u think its a head gasket ?
 
biggoofy said:
check your oil is it milky? if not odds are its not a head gasket look into sensors and maybe have it scanned to see if all the sensors are getting proper voltage. if buy some chance ur head gasket is leaking or messed up try retorquing (sp)? according to the FSM
edit: are you lossing coolent or oil if not what makes u think its a head gasket ?
Click to expand...

Ok here's what i know/dont know so far... changed oil today, not milky just thick with a hint of burnt smell. i have changed the Crankshaft position sensor (twice), the distributor (btw the "camshaft position sensor"/stator is in the distributor), the ignition coil, coolant temp sensor. Running out of ideas, thats why i was thinking that it may be a head gasket:confused:
 
ok so odds are its not ur head gasket.
 
biggoofy said:
check your oil is it milky? if not odds are its not a head gasket look into sensors and maybe have it scanned to see if all the sensors are getting proper voltage. if buy some chance ur head gasket is leaking or messed up try retorquing (sp)? according to the FSM
edit: are you lossing coolent or oil if not what makes u think its a head gasket ?
Click to expand...

A blown head gasket or cracked head does not always affect your oil. Some time they crack or blow in a water jacket, or even in the combustion chamber. which you can detect by the coolant pressure tester.
 
well john i'm so glad i have you for a friend to help me out:fuck-you:

side note... spent a while at the shop this Afternoon and it seems like the computer is the issue
 
Back
Top