Best way to diagnose if your head gasket is bad

Cylinder leakdown test!
If this helped you, follow me on subtledriver thank you! Help me get to 10k followers!

[@Engineerboy100]

Good job on the video, very organic and easy to follow. I actually did this on a car like 40 years ago and forgot about this particular method lol Thanks for posting.

[@subtledriver]

You're welcome, thanks for the comment 😀

[@seleneq.4765]

thank you for sharing your video, and tips on how to determine or test when having some difficulties on your car: engine, radiator, cooler oil pressure etc.. as I am experiencing myself on what you just described. let me say thank you putting it in into words of comfort 'your car had better days and time to retire"🙏i understand material things can get replace. The acceptance is a bit overwhelming 🙏

[@gottfriedj1647]

I bought my first car with a blown head gasket. At the time it had obvious signs but I didn't know what it was. You expect better things from a human being. My second car also had a blown head gasket, it was a dealer NJ who hid all possible signs but using sealant I guess. Signs started to appear weeks after the purchase. They were not obvious, first a CEL, then hesitating at cold start. What a nightmare with that car. Honestly, I didn’t know until now what it was like to have a car that doesn’t need coolant every time you drive it. I was constantly checking my 3rd car as I almost have a trauma. THE ONLY WAY TO TEST IT RIGHT is by doing a cylinder compression test. No chemical test on the radiator, no pressurizing the cooling system, forget it. It's like a sickness with different symptoms or no symptoms at all. Thank God my 3rd car is fine. Now, I just bought a Corolla with 90K miles and I’m freaking out as the coolant level went down a bit. (A year later, story revisited) my Corolla is alright. 10K miles strong. My prayers were heard. Thanks for comments.

[@brianjacobsen5762]

Getting good at fixing head gaskets.

[@asifsaleem2282]

If the coolant level decreases after 2 mounths a little than it is considering good but cheacking of car by give preasure to cylinder is brilient idea

[@theseattlegreen1871]

Cars are cancer

[@gottfriedj1647]

@@asifsaleem2282 cylinder pressure test is the only way to be sure. My experience with these cars is that in the beginning they didn’t have the obvious signs of gasket damage. Either the dealer applied sealant or it was a very tiny crack.

[@Thizzfather]

I got a car to sell you. Haha

[@platinumsquad118]

This is the most helpful vid ive been looking and looking

[@tanyshiachampagne5122]

I was going to rent the pressure test kit ,but just watching you do this is the same thing my car does. I have to put coolant in it everytime I drive it. Thnx for everything

[@fzigunov]

how long did you drive it until it died?

[@ericd9853]

Would also love to know

[@user-ki9ez8wx7f]

You, my guy, are stupidly awesome.

[@clearsailing7993]

You can also use a leak down tester to check your valves. Make sure the piston is at top dead center on the compression stroke. Apply pressure to cylinder. Listen for air at the intake and at the exhaust pipe.

[@moonlander03]

Thnx for the info mate…that’s pretty cool and knowledgeable 👍👍👍👍👍

[@splicezone]

This was a great way to find out and confirm a bad head gasket. thanks!

[@japfourme381]

Great video mate!! Gives me an alternative way to check my head gasket!!

[@doc-holiday]

Great video another helpful tool in the arsenal to blown head gaskets. Having said i would also suggest if your in dire straight you could also try to use Risolone block stop. Its a very good product and has helped me out with a friends Toyota Corrolla with a similar issue to this video.

[@mikem5475]

Awesome video, makes good sense and right to the point

[@joeconnolly6444]

Smart video. Used to do same test with hollowed out spark plug,6inches copper tubing n air line connector. Good video

[@nhlninetyfour]

Can you elaborate more on your tester? How you made it.. Also, top dead center for the test correct?

[@oceanhome2023]

@@nhlninetyfour Just buy one they are relatively inexpensive

[@likits1999]

You're a genius too! Sounds like an old school test!

[@leonfyahrecords2262]

I’m planing on changing my head gasket today I’ve been waiting to install a clear cover for the cam pulley gear! makes me abit sad seeing a neglected Honda engine :( hope they save it! Mines got 110k miles and it’s never let me down!

[@RogueBystander]

Thank you for this easy and quick way of knowing for sure! Gonna do it today..

[@luispalomino5514]

Good Explanation! Also I see some motor oil mix with the antifreeze! Muchas gracias 👍

[@averyheaneytheshit]

Thank you for teaching us how to figure out if a car has a blown headgasket. My 2002 Subaru has had many overheating problems. I couldn't figure out my overheating problem until I took the car to the shop. I have had my cousin do multiple radiator fixes where I have needed a new radiator and new upper and lower hose. Then my car still had overheated. So I took it to the shop, and then found out it was a blown headgasket. My car has over 233,000 miles. The price could be $1,800 dollars. Definitely not worth it.

[@subtledriver]

No problem! Time to throw in a low miles replacement engine from Japan!

[@subtledriver]

@Terminology! harbor freight has a leakdown tester

[@stevenmckechnie4380]

How long can that be driven until total shutdown.

[@robertmaxwell3548]

Good info will Test My Engine right away.

[@bryanwelton1442]

Nice gonna get that leak down tool I have done block test before on a friends rig

[@richardpope9985]

Use some Blue Devil Head Gasket repair. It worked for me. Has been holding for about 1 year now. I had white smoke out the tail pipe. Used the Block Test Blue fluid and it confirmed hydrocarbons in the coolant passage way, because it turned yellow. After I used the Blue Devil Flush and gasket, and followed the directions exactly. It sealed the head gasket good. No more white smoke and blue fluid stayed blue. Worth a try.

[@julaiarnold641]

mine i used bars leak and it worked for my 96 civic.. no more white smoke and no coolant mixing on engine oil..

[@steveandrews8301]

One can also use "water glass" (sodium silicate), to do the same thing. That's the main, active ingredient is some if not most of the retail head gasket sealers out there. You can buy a gallon of the stuff online / ebay.

[@lrakwons9799]

I used bars stop leaks and I’m still going 60k miles later

[@jat-justamaturetech-philpj8285]

​@@julaiarnold641Or is it oil mixing in coolant??

[@jameshopkins365]

Sodium silicate can be purchased from a pottery supplier.

[@clearsailing7993]

Steel seal, that you add to the radiator, has silicate in it to stop the leak. The high heat by the heat gasket makes it turn hard.

[@plovely08]

Subtledriver great job on this video. Quick question what if I lose coolant from the exhaust the minute I pour it in. Unfortunately there is no oil in the engine

[@ntamichael9343]

Nice tuitorial, I love 💕💕 you it. How do I get that tool you used in testing the head gasket, am a mechanic and I need that tools. Good job!

[@scottwilson7787]

Thanks bro for your wisdom

[@garylangley4502]

I bought a leak down tester yesterday, and I saw your video today. I'm going to test our 2001 Buick next. On the 3.1 Liter GM engine, the intake manifold gaskets can leak and coolant gets sucked into the manifold. So, I'll see how it goes.

[@tomaunofilms534]

hey ! Gary! Did you test your Buick?

[@garylangley4502]

@@tomaunofilms534 Yes I did. The liquid turned green, so combustion gasses were getting into the cooling system. I have a problem with fibromyalgia and arthritis, so I was trying to decide what to do, as fixing the car would be a difficult task for me now. An opportunity came my way where I bought a nice 1998 Ford Taurus with only 87,000 miles on it for $1600. I have a friend who is a retired mechanic, and his '94 Ford Thunderbird is in bad shape, burning oil and slipping transmission. It would be easier and cheaper to fix the Buick, so I gave it to him.

[@garylangley4502]

@Nikola I'm sorry that my answer was too complicated for you.

[@garylangley4502]

@Nikola Ok, then I guess that the reply was to complicated for your Neanderthal brain. Besides, you were not the one who asked the question. Just go ahead and find simple short videos to view, and stay out of other conversations. No one wanted your input. Also, someone should warn shepherds in your area that the sheep are not safe tonight with you around.

[@Crazychris-tel]

What about a cracked exhaust manifold

[@kensendelofski3761]

New subscriber, enjoyed this video, thank you. Thumbs up.

[@subtledriver]

Thank you!

[@jonathanspencer8305]

Thanks man, awesome

[@fixitman8028]

Great video. Thanks for posting

[@leecrumble3921]

Great video! I bought a used 3.6l ram and I'm getting a few bubbles in my coolant this will tell me what heads bad.

[@Junirol1]

lol my coworker had the same problem, drove him nuts why coolant would burst out of the overflow. Head gasket fixed the problem.

[@subtledriver]

yepppp

[@hemi5.7awdpursuit5]

subtledriver love 💗 peace and chicken 🐔 grease

[@carmichaelmoritz8662]

lol he says a head gasket is to much of an investment to put in a car with 250,000 on it . i agree it might be to much for the wealthy or uneducated . i'm poor and back in the day when i were healthy enough to do the work required it was a great wise investment . wealthy look at it as a poor investment due to the fact they have to much wealth , uneducated look at it as a poor investment due to the fact they cannot do it themselves and the people that can do it charge them an arm and a leg . greed is the main factor why we have so much unfairness on this so called earth .

[@borgman79]

@@carmichaelmoritz8662 how bout the fact you would need a good amount of tools to do the job. Those aren’t cheap. And not everyone is in to cars.

[@carmichaelmoritz8662]

​@@borgman79 yes i understand when it comes to people making more money from their job then they would save if they repaired the item themselves . thats why they are not into other grunt work like mechanics . as for the tools , tools can be home made or bought used and or on sale . i never needed any expensive tools back in the day when my body still allowed me to do grunt work .

[@greensahuaro2834]

What do you use to place pressure and how much.?

[@technicalak8085]

Genius sir good idea

[@eyeHATEuall85]

Great video, thanks.

[@subtledriver]

Thank you!!!!

[@robertmartinez6042]

Bro 100% fucking badassvideo you know what, were all both stupid and smart at the same time that goes for everyone in the world 🌎

[@boostedpsi99]

does this explain why my crv after sitting some days itll burn off alot and i mean alot of white smoke that smells really strong? its also burning alot of oil as well. my mechanic told me my engine needs replaced but if its just a head gasket that would be awesome. i get alot of engine chatter as well in the both head and block. i ran it dry for a few days before i noticed.

[@oscarrojas4281]

Very good video man

[@arsingh8724]

Great video thanks brother.

[@JK-cq5nc]

Hello, I've a 2005 ford explorer v6. It has oil in the coolant reservoir. It has a transmission cooler that is not connected to the coolant, it has no engine oil cooler. So the only thing i can think about is a bad head gasket? Btw 2 head leak detection tests that i did were negative (is a false negative possible?). The engine was rebuild and was put in 1k miles ago, however the store employee forgot to tigthen the clamb on the bottom of the radiator and i was at least 2-3 quarts low on coolant, can that have done the damage?

[@likits1999]

Your awesome!!! Could you do it this way without a tool? Example: If you're testing cylinder 1 out of 4; Remove the fuel pump fuse; Remove spark plugs 2,3 and 4; Remove the radiator cap and crank the engine to simulate the tool. Will that work the same way? I have a car that the oil and coolant mixed together and I would like to think its just gonna be the oil cooler gasket. Crossing my fingers on your response. Thanks a million!!!

[@TreyKing63]

Nice tip! Thanks

[@lifesailor981]

Good job mate

[@vickiehenderson8755]

Thank you I learned something to I'm not watching your video thank you so much

[@gsr2envy]

What about an option of putting a low mileage JDM motor in there? Will it work?

[@yadqadir6188]

Its very useful for me thanks

[@coreykimbler5188]

Really smart trick

[@jacobbulkoski861]

my first truck used sealant and lasted me 4 years strong until i totaled it definitely had 4 or more in her still i also took great care of it other than that whole sealant ordeal but it worked so dont knock it till u try it

[@howtowithelizabeth7513]

U could get the tester kits to that use dye that changes color if it detects exhaust gasses

[@subtledriver]

That's what I normally do,,, but it evaded detection this time. So I had to do the cylinder pressure test.

[@jozani777]

Thank you for your video.

[@lakegrinnelllane9926]

Great test, now is there a way to single out which cylinder or cylinders are the one with the issue? If I leave the spark plugs on and I only air each cylinder?

[@subtledriver]

Yes, you got it

[@juansolai1]

It suppose to have bubbles to determine a bad head gasket, or a mixing, rising coolant with them??

[@dave41590]

Can you do a video on how to troubleshoot? Cummins ISM or any large diesel for that matter, running hot under load, but not boiling over

[@user-hz5no6ky5v]

Very good ! Thank you

[@ghostgaming7226]

Whats that kit you used?

[@powerofknowledge7771]

Very helpful video! Thank you for sharing! What do you think about flusing the coolant and changing over dexcool to regular coolant? I have an 05 Buick Century, and dexcool is not good for the head gasket in that particular year, make, model, but that's the original coolant that the car comes with. It's a defect that has since been fixed in newer models, but I have the older model and I'm looking to change it out completely.

[@subtledriver]

I personally run toyota pink or asian pink coolant in all my vehicles. but i dont see any issues running dexcool.

[@guesswhomartin9249]

There are several different ways to do a blown head gasket check. The best way is do a pressure check. But the cheapest way I have found is; remove all spark plugs, remove the fuel relay, and start the car.If you have a blown head gasket, water will squirt out through the spark plug holes. To do this exercise, you will need 2 bodies. But The pressure check is the best way. There are other ways as well. If you wanna be a mechanic.

[@biglebowski923]

@@subtledriver If it ever slightly overheats or gets air in the system Dex cool turns to brown and black sludge. My Buick the coolant elbows burst causing it to slightly overheat before I caught it . I had to flush the radiator and block added Dex cool back into system then 9 months later the thermostat stuck closed and again slightly overheated . I had to flush with radiator cleaner because radiator had brown/ black sludge. I again flushed it with radiator cleaner and distilled water. This time just running distilled water In it for now but temperatures never rise above 196 and I can idle with air on for 30 minutes and temp may rise 4 degrees but that’s all. With Dex Cool I couldn’t do that before temp would be getting to high. Personally I believe Dex Cool is garbage.

[@petesmith9472]

My car does this, but in six years I’ve never had any heating problems. I drove 3000 kms and it did take a litre of coolant yesterday.

[@kowalski363]

Great video

[@ChimpPunck]

does this issue cause my radiator cap if radiator pressure cap is bad to create a suction locked on to the radiator. I can not remove the Cap and I do not want to snap off the the threads to the radiator I replaced the radiator 9 months ago. I am trying to salvage my 2006 Chevy trailblazer it has been a dream dream vehicle since I was 15 when I got to ride in a 1971 trailblazer.

[@JamesWilliams-xf6ix]

Ok so if you don't have the proper tools like you to check for a blown head gasket whats a home made way to check and see if you just completely broke?

[@xshunko_14k44]

Honda told me cylinder #3 is leaking coolant and may have block damage would a new head gasket fix this?

[@samsongabrielimmanuelgarci6191]

Fantastic detail

[@fuqutube]

Awesome man TY

[@ua7pyro591]

My d17 civic was pushing coolant to the reservoir, no overheating but no heat in winter unless you gave it gas.

[@ZERONEINNOVATIONS]

Maybe your water pump is getting inefficient?

[@jonnypablo6892]

Is this the same with white label blue devil where it doesn’t specify to remove thermostat ?

[@PinpointR]

This is for someone stressed out over a 2012 caravan 3.6 we just milled heads, NEW head gaskets, new oil cooler, still misfiring at heat soak, because these motors are bad too have cracked blocks, from the coolant to the cylinder, if it misses when you start it then smooths out,or gets worse when hot, yep

[@newhypeline1]

Good job

[@LilyWillow22]

Is it possible to tell by there being coolant on the spark plug?

[@javier-m75]

yep you just confirmed my car is bye bye tried to bleed it bubbles never stop coming out. thanx for the info

[@arzibanez3924]

Boss I have a question about my 2006 Nissan Xterra off-road, it’s consume oil and the smoke is white from the pipe hopefully you can help me please

[@Lee-pd4fm]

Good video thank you

[@tgriswold5840]

Thank you.

[@IanBuell]

Good video.

[@journeyquest1]

Normal for an all aluminum engine. My 85 Nissan 720 had a cast iron block and aluminum head and never blew a head gasket in 320k miles. Also had a brass radiator.

[@LilyWillow22]

How would you determine whether it needs a new head gasket or a whole new block?

[@SteVocArter]

I got a 1998 Ford explorer what does it mean when I have oil in my radiator?

[@ChadFreeman757]

Bar’s Leak Head Gasket Fix. It works.

[@carsrcool7149]

Good vid !

[@hawkseye737]

Good information i have this problem with my n1 diesel engine

[@onyxgt4856]

Because of the video title I read your username as “SubieDriver” and thought, yup...Subaru lol

[@mjt-ew8rs]

why did the hg blow in the first place? was that fixed as well? or will it happen again?.....

[@subtledriver]

@@mjt-ew8rs lack of maintenance is typically the main issue (not changing coolant, not keeping on top of oil changes and allowing it to run in poor state, second is loss of coolant and overheating. This warps the gasket surface and allows it to blow out.

[@UDisbest]

Also means you have air in the system don’t confuse these kids you have to remind if there’s air in your radiator after draining / or replacing a radiator there will be air in the radiator which causes this and also over heating

[@weeral1]

Air in the cooling system causes a non running, cold engine.. To suddenly have a higher level of coolant when the cylinder is pressurized? ... And then goes down the instant it is not pressurized? Huh. Explain please Sensei.

[@basik1dotcom]

Negative. Pressurizing a cylinder on a non-running vehicle should not affect the cooling system... unless the head gasket has failed.

[@japfourme381]

Hi mate great vid!! I have a question though was the engine cold or warm when you did the test?

[@subtledriver]

can be done either way. it was a little above room temp.

[@japfourme381]

Thanks for the reply! The reason I asked was because I was wondering if the thermostat would have an effect on it ie: if it was closed!

[@brianbrewer8683]

Good on you bud great video

[@Hibachipower]

I do cool star with cap open ...coolant is rising up no bubble.....coolant rising up with cool engine star is it normal??

[@drobinray]

does the cyclinder still have 150 psi above compression?

[@RedEyedJedi]

I'm impressed that a car, that is not being maintained has managed to go 250,000 miles. Is it a Toyota?

[@subtledriver]

some people get lucky. this is a honda civic 1.7, problem is it is age related, not mileage. the material on the headgasket is poorly developed, and these motors tend to over-heat due to other issues with cooling system failures

[@gorgegutierrez9704]

So you dont have to have water in oil to have a blown head gasket?

[@flywiseman]

I recently bought a 1980 cj with a 258. I can't keep it from getting hot. The radiator hoses get hard as well, this is probably at a minimum a head gasket problem right? Or could be rings as well? Thank you for the video

[@stopher1971]

On my car on a cold start with no radiator cap the system pushes about 8 ounces of coolant out but no air bubbles is normal. Also, on a cold start with the radiator cap on the system, pressurizes but not enough to go into the overflow …. What’s up with that?

[@pulpanochamaster]

Shouldnt be also coolant in oil?

[@jcastellon04]

what if the antifreeze rises without pressuring the cylinder.. I did the chemical test and it passed it did nt turn yellow it stayed blue.

[@EscobarMT]

So I was told if you see bubbles on in the radiator when flushing or replacing water pump it means there’s air pockets in the block so now I hear you say bubbles means head gasket failure! Wouldn’t it be easier if you do combustion leak test?

[@jerrylisby5376]

Does head gasket stop leak work? My coolant looks reddish.

[@richardcdickerson3667]

Ha that is Awesome and exactly how I would do it to save time and Money $$$

[@ro-landocalrissian4633]

Hi, so the Toyota dealer mechanic messed up the radiator on my 03 Corolla & the manager put in a new one at no charge, but what’s happening now is I noticed the coolant on the reservoir is disappearing! From 1 day to the next half of the coolant on the reservoir disappeared. Why could this be?

[@lucidalist7078]

Great video, I never seen a test done like that. Just a suggestion. I have done this many times my self. If you detect a leak like that in its early stage a simple retorque on the head to manufacturer specs can fix the problem. We use to do that all the time with cast-iron engines. With todays alloy engines I have found this trick only works if the leak has just started. I have tried it on engines with bigger leaks but it has only worked with small leaks.

[@user-tf5kr4qp2i]

That’s a bandaid always was even with the old iron motors. You must be in the used car sale business those are the only scambags still using that “fix”

[@lucidalist7078]

@@user-tf5kr4qp2i You are so funny :D

[@briancastillo9471]

How do u know what kind of pressure tool besides the gage that u have air to it to use....what is in the hole....and how without having the engine apart....do u know when it's too dead center????

[@captainwho1]

Yeah really. I had the same questions. Helpful video and interesting but not complete really.

[@scubadivingsince2006]

Yeah I bought a car that has a bad head gasket builds pressure in the coolant reservoir an you can see metal flake an small bubbles moving in the reservoir even after I flushed it so I’m going to have that done sometime an also blew or cracked the reservoir while in the garage so going to need towed in 😕

[@onrdetailingnews802]

I seen guys put blue devil in there and drive it another 5 years that way

[@Sip28]

Yea blue devil is good

[@Durazno83]

Hello, Good video. Thanks 👍👍👍

[@marcusa.rivera6377]

Tools brand and were did U get it.

[@rmr1300]

Very informative, replaced my radiator and fan(with cheap parts not OEM) due to a collision. Radiator began to start leaking, eventually severely. Added stop leak into the radiator no longer leaking but now my car is over heating. A day later I realize the fan isn't working. I'm getting the overflow of coolant from the radiator neck when the car is on, also notice what sounds and feels like boiling in the top hose and radiator cap. I was thinking the stop leak may have clogged the radiator. Can the fan not working cause the overheating, overflow of coolant, and boiling sound?

[@sterrshow5016]

A boiling sound is likely from air trapped in the system, especially if you hear gurgling when switching on the heat. My guess is your cooling fan has a problem if its not on constantly when the engine is up to operating temeperature, have you felt your radiator hoses? Are they hot to the touch when the car runs for a while? If not maybe your water pump broke or your thermostat is stuck shut cause the coolant to not circulate.

[@bobpress1235]

stop leak will clog your radiator and put you in a world of hurt.....dont use it!