Is My Head Gasket Blown? - Confirmation Using Cheap Ebay Chemical Test Kit - Any Car!

In this video I use a chemical head gasket leak tester to test & confirm a blown head gasket on a Audi A4 1.9 tdi. However test will apply to any car.
#iofix​​
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[@campcop9214]

When i did this test i got the greenish yellow colour but annoying my coolant raised gradually throughout the test and ended up sucking some up into the test. As i say i was already getting the colour change before rhat happened. Why do you think coolant level was going up the expansion bottle so much? Was it being revved too high although i dont think it was or is this just another sign im buggered

[@iofix]

Hi, I thought I had replied to this but appears I haven't so sorry for the late reply. I would say that the coolant is rising in the way u describe because you have a badly blown head gasket - especially if u're getting the green-ish colour too. The shear volume of combustion gases entering the system is pushing the coolant level up.

[@wildthoughts6959]

Great video, especially at the end when you drew the gasket . Salute . Thanks man .

[@GCS88]

holy crap my friend thank you for the information about the staining on the coolant tank, I recently used this type of head gasket tester and got a positive result though I was second guessing the product that it could just be a color changing dye that reacts to temprature, but recently Ive been having this little crud in my coolant tank, I flushed its like 5 times already but gave up accepting that my radiator is just old, I was so annoyed that I bought a coolant filter for my car now you and the tester have me convinced it is a head gasket failure

[@iofix]

Hello, yes sounds like u do have a head gasket issue, glad the video helped, thanks for messaging.

[@DusanStev996]

My MK4 Golf (1.6 liter, 16v petrol) lost about 0,5 liter of coolant in about 3-4 weeks. First I thought it was leaking somewhere but then I saw small bubbles in the expansion tank. It's not like foaming and bubbling hard, It's like 2-3 small bubbles every few seconds. Is there any other thing that could be causing this or the gasket is the only one? I'm guessing if it was the gasket, there would be much more bubbles, but the fact that it loses coolant is worrying me.

[@iofix]

Sounds like it could well be the same problem as on this audi - I would do this test.

[@adamwilliams4377]

I have a rover 75 1.8 turbo that doses the same as your golf but also is OK to drive until I try to boot the gas and them kind of looses power not sure if it's my head or turbo any ideas

[@DusanStev996]

@@adamwilliams4377 you probably have pressure leak. Check the turbo hoses

[@adamwilliams4377]

@@DusanStev996 I have put new hosees on and replaced turbo solenoid

[@nobodyreally]

Thanks for sharing!

[@iofix]

👍

[@maximolotov]

will co2 test be also positive if injectors cap is damaged ?

[@kenbennett2374]

Great Video Mate....

[@iofix]

Thanks! :)

[@zephaniahblair3246]

I’ve used the same kit but instead of it changing colour after 2/3 minutes of holding it at 2500 revs the coolant has came up and out of the test kit

[@iofix]

Assuming your engine wasn't already very hot when u started the test I would guess that's a badly blown head gasket.

[@wildthoughts6959]

Why do they need this STUPID gasket ? Why don't they build cars to NOT need a gasket ? I am sure they can, just less profit . Like if people stop getting SICK , doctors go work as chefs.

[@iofix]

Thanks for your comments. A head gasket is needed - i.e an interface between the cylinder head cylinder block - but certain engines are certainly designed/made better than others.

[@wildthoughts6959]

@@iofix Thanks for your answer. But I meant, why can't they design an engine as 1 unit, not 2 pieces and gasket between. 1 unit, no gasket, and it would have a cover on top for access . Am sure it's duable.

[@iofix]

@@wildthoughts6959 Probably could be done, but would probably cause other disadvantages - e.g. if a burnt valve had to be replaced the whole engine would need to be dismantled...

[@Jpilgrim30]

You don’t want to top off the coolant really or it can raise up high enough to come up into the test tube. A lot of the time a head gasket won’t start leaking until the engine is warm like you see here. You are testing for the air that is being pushed into the cooling system.

[@iofix]

Agree.

[@nowthenad3286]

It doesn't seem to be a very sensitive tester fluid. Great diagram by the way.

[@iofix]

Well it does the job... (Thanks)

[@redprince3158]

I don't think I would put that in my mouth ! !

[@maddoxtom]

Great, just what I was looking for. Mini and defender both got head gone :(

[@iofix]

Glad it helped. Sorry to hear about that.

[@WhinedUp2004]

Buying one now for my mini 😭. Thinking positive thoughts

[@Beemer-r5b]

Can you start this test on a cold engine?

[@iofix]

No it says engine should be warm I think.

[@Beemer-r5b]

Can you start this test on a cold engine?

[@campcop9214]

The one I've used is the reld kit which states to do it after warming it up.

[@sebastian993]

bad inlet manifold can also suck air in

[@iofix]

Yes, if it's a cooled manifold - not sure if it is on those.

[@healthystyle]

Great Video!!!

[@iofix]

Thanks! :)