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Author Topic: V6 - Head Gasket Failure  (Read 2603 times)

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JamesV6CDX

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V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« on: 24 February 2014, 16:41:40 »

My 3.0 (V plate) 2000 Omega V6. This car has lost coolant from day one (I've probably only done 500/800 miles in it in my ownership) and is getting increasingly worse.

It's now at the point it is emptying the header tank within 150 miles.

The compression on all of the cylinders is fine and car pulls like a train, there is no misfires. It's probably one of the best pulling V6's I've owned or driven.

The engine appears in good order and unmolested, EG plenum caps intact, everything correctly routed.

It only has a total of 98k miles. The coolant (albeit blue antifreeze) appears to have been well maintained.

All of the pipes around the back of the engine appear dry as a bone, as does the "v".

When running, I can see a very small, intermittent stream of coolant running down the block, as you look down from the top into the crank sensor, oil filter housing area, and back a git where the gearbox bellhousing bolt goes through the block and into the gearbox on this side.

I know it's not a '98 model, but it is a 3.0. I reckon the head gasket has slightly let go in the rear corner on the passenger side, as a few other members (myself included) have seen and experienced.

My understanding is that the firing rings around the pistons on the head gasket remain intact, (hence no misfires or over pressuring) but that the composite material on the gasket between the water jacket and the outside world deteriorates, hence the coolant making a bid for freedom

Any thoughts?
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Andy B

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #1 on: 24 February 2014, 16:54:40 »

Sounds a reasonable assumption. Though years ago, one of the local OOFers had a steam making V6, nothing pointed to head gasket failure other than the steam .... a compression test said all was OK. Scott eventually removed the heads to find a tiny crack in one of the fire rings  ??? which was obviously the fault.

You've checked the HBV  ;) ;)
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Entwood

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #2 on: 24 February 2014, 19:40:04 »

Get a.n.other header tank cap, drill and fit a tyre valve. then use that to pressurise the cooling system whilst it is not running ... far easier to find the true source of leaks when nothing is rotating or vibrating .. you can also use paper towel to wipe away traces of coolant and see if they reappear from the same spot...
« Last Edit: 24 February 2014, 19:55:37 by Entwood »
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omegod

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #3 on: 24 February 2014, 19:52:43 »

Coolant bridge also leaks down that route, had it on my 3.0 and was a perished doughty washer
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tunnie

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #4 on: 24 February 2014, 20:44:07 »

Worth popping plenum and inlet manifold out? Inspect the coolant bridge and cooler plate?
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andyc

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #5 on: 24 February 2014, 22:46:18 »

I have the same thing happen on my 2.5. I was on the back of the passanger side head and had to take the coil pack and bracket off to get a good look.

Andy
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Andy H

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #6 on: 24 February 2014, 22:47:15 »

My 1994 2.5 V6 leaked from the rear corner of the passenger side cylinder head. It believe it had been doing it for some time before I got it because the coil pack (I refuse to call it a DIS/digital ignition system) was rusty enough that the metal plates were spreading.

It didn't appear to have any running issues. The fire rings were all intact but as soon as I lifted the heads I had 6 bracelets loosely attached to the remains of the head gaskets.

Another example of why the coolant should be flushed and replaced regularly. :y
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omega3000

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #7 on: 24 February 2014, 23:22:26 »

Coolant bridge also leaks down that route, had it on my 3.0 and was a perished doughty washer

+ 1  ;)
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JamesV6CDX

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #8 on: 26 February 2014, 18:00:41 »

Still not had time to strip right down to the cooler but I had her up on ramps today while pressurising the system

Coolant is gathering on lower right exhaust manifold nut

This is obviously higher than the head to block face, and water doesn't go uphill

Time for a proper poke about at the back with all the inlets out

It still could be from HG if its leaking higher up the gasket eg right at the back due to the 54deg angle of the v6...

No time until at least Saturday to check :(
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Andy H

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #9 on: 26 February 2014, 18:55:14 »

Maybe one of the core plugs is weeping behind the lifting eye /bracket thing  :-\
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omega3000

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #10 on: 26 February 2014, 22:05:19 »

Maybe one of the core plugs is weeping behind the lifting eye /bracket thing  :-\

Similar happenings on my vectra  :(
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Marks DTM Calib

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #11 on: 27 February 2014, 13:30:58 »

(I refuse to call it a DIS/digital ignition system)

ER, but it is a DIS....Distributorless Ignition System.  :y

In this case a wasted spark DIS or on the 2.2/2.6/3.2 a coil per plug DIS.
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Miggylover

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #12 on: 27 February 2014, 13:36:52 »

Get a.n.other header tank cap, drill and fit a tyre valve. then use that to pressurise the cooling system whilst it is not running ... far easier to find the true source of leaks when nothing is rotating or vibrating .. you can also use paper towel to wipe away traces of coolant and see if they reappear from the same spot...

Never heard of this before, sounds genius though. Definalty going to adapt one of my spare header tank caps incase i ever need to try this
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tidla

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #13 on: 28 February 2014, 00:12:12 »

Get a.n.other header tank cap, drill and fit a tyre valve. then use that to pressurise the cooling system whilst it is not running ... far easier to find the true source of leaks when nothing is rotating or vibrating .. you can also use paper towel to wipe away traces of coolant and see if they reappear from the same spot...

Never heard of this before, sounds genius though. Definalty going to adapt one of my spare header tank caps incase i ever need to try this

Just make sure if you are using a compressor to turn down the pressure before hooking up. There is a pressure figure I cannot remember, but its not much.
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kcl

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Re: V6 - Head Gasket Failure
« Reply #14 on: 28 February 2014, 07:49:06 »

Get a.n.other header tank cap, drill and fit a tyre valve. then use that to pressurise the cooling system whilst it is not running ... far easier to find the true source of leaks when nothing is rotating or vibrating .. you can also use paper towel to wipe away traces of coolant and see if they reappear from the same spot...

Never heard of this before, sounds genius though. Definalty going to adapt one of my spare header tank caps incase i ever need to try this

Just make sure if you are using a compressor to turn down the pressure before hooking up. There is a pressure figure I cannot remember, but its not much.

0,5...1 bar should do it, more will blow off something  ???
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