How to test for a blown head gasket with a block tester

!!!WARNING READ ENTIRE DESCRIPTION!!!!
In this video I'll show you how to used a block tester to check for combustion gases in the cooling system. Combustion gases found in the cooling system are usually the result of either a blown head gasket, cracked head or cracked block. When these gases come into contact with the block tester fluid it causes it to turn from a blue color to a yellow color. Using a block tester is a great way to determine if you have combustion gases in the cooling system and is a great way to gain a little piece of mind about tearing down the engine to fine the leak. (Further testing will be needed to determine the exact source of the intrusion and this video does not explain how to do this)
!!!!WARNING!!!!
Repair your vehicle at your own risk. While this channel will always strive to give you the most accurate information regarding automotive repair it would be foolish to assume that by watching a 5-30 minute video you too will be able to repair your vehicle without any errors or risk to your safety or risk to others safety. Costly mistakes can and will happen. When performing automotive repairs there is a high risk of personal injury. There is also a high risk for EXTREME frustration. There is also a risk of damaging your vehicle. This channel assumes no responsibility or liability for any personal injury or property damage that may take place using the information found in this channels videos. It is absolutely imperative that you the viewer, and performer of said repairs, receive as much education concerning automotive repair and particularly the repair you are considering performing. While the videos featured on this channel do go into detail about particular repairs this channel does not claim that the information provided in said videos are 100% complete and accurate. YOU MUST HAVE A REPUTABLE REPAIR MANUAL FOR THE VEHICLE THAT YOU PLAN TO WORK ON THAT CONTAINS THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO PROPERLY REPAIR SAID VEHICLE. Follow all repair procedures as outlined in your repair manual. Compare the information in your manual with the information in this channels videos. Follow your repair manual over this channels videos. Follow all safety instructions and warnings found in your manual. Also, read and follow the instructions for any piece of equipment, chemical, or tool that you may use in any repair. Also, check out the owners manual for the vehicle you are working on. There is a lot of good, important, and helpful information that can be found in it. Finally, above all, do everything you can to keep yourself safe. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES. WEAR IMPERMIABLE GLOVES. UNDERSTAND THE CHEMICALS YOU WILL BE EXPOSED TO AND GUARD YOURSELF FROM THEM.
Note: Even the most educated, seasoned, and talented technicians, or mechanics, are still subject to personal injury and property damage while performing automotive repair. I say again, use the information found in this channels videos at your own risk. Repair your vehicle at your own risk.
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[@AOG_ETH]

I like how you used the tailpipe as an example of changing the color.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Yea, I wanted to show what it looks like.

[@AOG_ETH]

@@BarboursAutoHelp I just ordered a test kit from Ebay it's a universal one from Poland 14.99 with great reviews you should check it out

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

GREAT point about coolant being lower to NOT suck it up, just watched SCOTTY use one of these and he DIDN'T make that point, NEVER heard of this tool till I saw him use such, then found your's for more info, THANKS

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Scotty is the man!

[@canadapainter658]

nice video...the guy speaks very smoothly.... I wish I could balance time and speech that way.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Hey, thanks!

[@canadapainter658]

Barbours = I meant,,, I wish, I could balance time between thoughts and speech.. My speech center is not 100% synchronized with my thoughts. And that changes perspective of me. ( you could be a good speaker...you could capture people just the way you speak with the most boring subject in the world.)

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Oh OK. I appreciate the complement.

[@Ashroyer86]

That's what you call a "smooth talker".

[@lichin11]

Great video and well-spoken explanation, thank you.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions.

[@triggerfranceseaglelite644]

BarboursAutoHelp hi so can i put the tester in the overflow container on a 2000 vw jetta 2.0 ???

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

+Frances Eaglelite If the over flow is just an overflow then no. If it's a pressurized degas bottle then yes. A plain overflow bottle just has a flap for a lid. A degas bottle will have a screw on cap that is able to hold pressure.

[@toomuchsugar3960]

great demonstration, very informative. Well done.

[@KevinMay71]

Thanks for doing the test and showing it well on video, very helpful.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

No problem

[@jr675]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to produce and share.

[@jamesjamison9880]

Awesome song at the begining! What's it called so i can jam out in my car on my way to work?

[@DebbieTomkoSUNSHINE]

Tester can be rented at auto zone.

[@davidv9580]

Yes! Just rented one today,$30 and once I bring it back they give me my $30 back :).

[@Bedsitdweller]

I did the test and as many have experienced, it turned green. I would say this is negative, since if you do the same test in the open air or in the house, it will also turn green.

[@kabelolukhele3827]

What if it changes from blue to green?

[@michaelmckenna4243]

Thanks for the video. I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I lowered the coolant level in the reservoir as instructed. When I attach the bulb to the tester and then squeeze, the bulb stays compressed and won't 're-inflate'. Not seeing anything bubbles through the fluid as nothing is being drawn upwards. This happens even if I don't put the tester on the reservoir/radiator. I attach the bulb to the tester with the silver release valve facing upwards, squeeze the bulb and the bulb stays squeezed/compressed. Any thoughts. I feel like an idiot.

[@willardwebb4478]

that's tester is not working correctly

[@bobdeengineer7396]

My chevy sonic 1.8l is a good car but it is inherently a coolant sprinkler system 😅. It's difficult to tell if o rings are going bad or the coolant system is being overpressurized by escaping combustion gases 😅😅😅

[@ShampooWow]

Nice video! I like it

[@QwertyQwerty-jq3cu]

So what's the proper procedure to dispose of the used chemical?

[@shredders3881]

Great video! So sad that we need multiple disclaimers these days. You'd think that people would have a good understanding of the dangers, before opening their hood.

[@benheinz2432]

eh i think it's important for people who don't really know what they're doing to see the warnings. everybody has to start somewhere right?

[@Elaba_]

Use a block tester (BT 500) to detect head gasket problems. It is the main reason people sell them.

[@joshkelly6393]

i bought a 94 honda accord a few days ago it seems to run ok no misfires today i found an unopened kit like this, thinking about testing it since now it has me worried as they wouldn't have had the kit if there wasn't something wrong

[@joshkelly6393]

i drained a little water from my radiator and started it up let it run about 5-10 minutes and then used the tester and it stayed blue wasn't sure if the fluid goes bad after a while seeing how idk how old it was i did it over the exhaust and after a few times of squeezing the bulb it turned bright yellow so i'm hoping that i done the test right i did exactly how it was in the video

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

That's how I do it. Did the kit have instructions?

[@joshkelly6393]

@@BarboursAutoHelp it did but i couldn't make out what it was saying the paper was in bad shape so i just followed your video

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I've never seen a different way of doing it.

[@joshkelly6393]

@@BarboursAutoHelp i never heard of the kit until i found it in my trunk

[@antonioas709]

I was told I had a bad head gasket by one Mechanic and then 2 others tested it and said it was fine

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thanks for sharing.

[@jerrybarnette5148]

this still work if our radiator is bent into a V shape?

[@davidrathobei4570]

Great video. Quick question can I do the test on a V6 or V8 engine without removing the injectors? Do I have to remove them to have an accurate reading or removing them helps to identify which side is blown?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I’m sorry. Not sure if I understand the question. Why are you thinking about removing the injectors?

[@ebgwd]

Can this be used on a 2010 Prius? The Prius has no radiator cap. Can I use the reservoir as the fume check point instead, since there is no radiator cap? Do I need to pull down the level in the reservoir so that the combustion gas will come out of solution better or will the gas be there from natural circulation via the fluid?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Haven't worked on a bunch of those. I couldn't tell you unfortunately.

[@MartinSage]

What if it goes from deep blue to blue/green?? Yes, I removed coolant so there's a 2" gap at the radiator fill hole. Oh, when I turn off the engine when it's not fully warmed up it will "lope/diesel" for a second before stopping! My engine runs great and idles smooth after it's warmed up. Doesn't overheat on freeway but will get warmer if not moving after 10min. New radiator, fan, water pump, thermostat, sensor. Heater is hot. Coolant new. Any ideas would be welcomed😁

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I'd say blue/green is inconclusive. Not sure how to point you on this one.

[@jason-xb9wx]

Thanks for the vid, do you know of an instance when the block tester reads blue but there is still a crack in the block? i rebuilt my engine. good compression, tons of white smoke(doesnt smell like coolant) no milk shake, no muddy radiator, no gas smile on dipstick. super confusing. any ideas would be much appreciated thanks

[@guyrussell3662]

Bad piston rings

[@drgajic86]

I tried this today(i have coolant expansion tank), and my coolant was only 1-2" down, not 2-3" like it was recomemended so that it doesnt mix with coolant and contaminate test fluid when you start squeezing, and after only couple of squeezes, all my blue stuff when into the coolant. Is that because it was not enough empty space between, so it sucked my test fluid inside the coolant tank, or my block tester is not good? Also, now this tester fluid is inside my coolant. Is that bad for coolant system? I mean, its small amount of fluid, but i dont know if it have some checmical that's bad to be inside coolant system?

[@nicholashernandez7338]

what if fluid turns blue green ???

[@centurykam]

A really nice yellow color 😂😂😂

[@phillipwoodham8126]

I really enjoyed your thorough explanation as well as the video. One question. I tested my engine and discovered I had a leak (pretty sure it was a head gasket leak) After lots of googling I ended up using K Seal. It sure seems to have worked. No misfire, no engine shudder. It’s running very smooth. I tried the block test again and it still came out yellow. Does the combustion gases stay in the coolant and you have to drain and put in new coolant for an accurate test? Thanks again

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I wouldn't think you would still have combustion gasses in the coolant unless you still have a leak. Not sure if the K seal is putting off a chemical that could react the with block tester.

[@phillipwoodham8126]

Hopefully the longer it’s in the system it will seal all leaks. Thanks for the reply!

[@JEE7600]

So I did this same test. It started out Blue but then turned Green. I read on other places. Green or Yellow means a bad head gasket is that true?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Go by the instruction given with the product your using. It will usually turn golden yellow.

[@ep2653]

I have a 2005 malibu. 2.2 ecotec. My radiator does not have a cap. It only has the coolant reservoir. Does that make the procedure any different?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Instead of taking samples where the radiator cap mounts, like the vehicle shown in the video, just take samples where the reservoir cap mounts on your vehicle. .

[@ep2653]

@@BarboursAutoHelp excellent, thanks

[@marylamb6063]

What if it turns light green? I only have water on the system for testing.

[@MartinSage]

Yes, I got the same blue/green Twice when testing with a 50/50 antifreeze/water mix. Made sure I had 2" gap from tester to antifreeze on a regular radiator with fill hole on top.

[@nnon_existantt]

I had a problem and wonder if anyone can explain l. I drive an infiniti g35x, 2006. I siphoned around 3 inches below the radiator cap and tried the test and it sucked up radiator fluid immedietly. It rose up immedietly after starting engine. So i disconnected that little hose to see if that would help. I started the test and roughly 60-80 seconds of pumping later it started sucking up radiator fluid. Im scared that 60-80 seconds wasnt enough time to get an accurate read and i dont know why the fluid rises unless its just the heat

[@willdabeast144]

Supposed to have like 2in clear from Coolent or more and it will raise due to your engine warming it expands and cost you to suck up fluids

[@Ashroyer86]

Is that the same tool and fluid that autozone sells?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

It is. I bought it just before I made the video. I've been happy with it.

[@dakotasilvers9117]

Will this work on a diesel?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

You can do this test for diesels also.

[@AMan-qt6wc]

Not sure if I need this kit. I know bubbles in the coolant tank could be a blown head gasket but my coolant tank has a large layer of foam on top of it. Does anyone one have any clue what I'm on about?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Foam may be engine oil. Sounds like you may be onto something. Sometimes a blown head gasket will cause this.

[@tunedom6488]

does this works on diesel engines?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Never used it on a diesel but probably?

[@tunedom6488]

@@BarboursAutoHelp ok mate thx

[@MartinSage]

@@BarboursAutoHelp my auto zone tester says Not to be used on Diesels.

[@CITYOFANGELES1343]

@Barboursautohelp my reservoir tank has a breather hose attached to it, will it still work?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Do you have a picture of your set up? Or a video?

[@Dev_Everything]

I have the pcv hose. I disconnected mine and capped it off for this test

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Huh?!

[@alfredomejia410]

Mine turned green? It says only diesel engines turn green gas turns yellow. My car uses gas... so wth?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Id say thats an inconclusive test. I've hade them turn green on gassers too. In conclusive.

[@sisterbrothers1677]

Crackhead tester?

[@romanrebisz4205]

Hi what does a orange mean color

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Did you suck some red coolant into it?

[@romanrebisz4205]

@@BarboursAutoHelp maybe

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Well ... Maybe that's why it turned orange.

[@romanrebisz4205]

@@BarboursAutoHelp maybe but later I try again but this time I take some of the Coolant out lower the cap a it still turn orange maybe I did I wrong I send the car to get it diagnostics on it the will tell me tomorrow

[@milkhouse01ja]

What if you don't have fuel injectors

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I don’t understand the question. Can you clarify?

[@milkhouse01ja]

BarboursAutoHelp you talked about puking fuel injectors to find which side is bad. I don't have a fuel injected engine.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Oh, then you can’t use that method. What kind of vehicle do you have?

[@milkhouse01ja]

BarboursAutoHelp a 78 Chevy nova

[@milkhouse01ja]

BarboursAutoHelp can I still use the block tester though

[@ryantrogdon3633]

Will this work if I just have water in my cooling system? A lot of coolant has leaked from my radiator and car is overheating and I wanna use this to make sure I don’t have a blown head gasket. Do I need coolant or will it work with water too?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

The steam from the water may though it off a bit. It may turn yellowish green but shouldn't turn golden yellow.

[@yoyobored847]

Mine turned light blue but not yellow/green/orange just light blue

[@yoyobored847]

Any ideas ? Thank you

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Light blue is not yellow. Sounds like you don’t have combustion gasses in the cooling system, which is a good thing.

[@yoyobored847]

thank you for the response

[@dosoffbeats]

The kit from harbor freight turns from green to blue

[@mr88jmr88]

What is wrong with your audio?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Are you referring to how the audio is loud at first and then gets quiet right after the entro causing you to have to turn up the volume?.... easy explanation. The video was put together by a dude that didn't really know what he was doing. He also was working with some pretty second rate equipment. (That guy may or may not be me) I think that dude has improved his game a bit since this video was made. But, I'll be sure to pass along the info. Lol