SD33T Radiator bubbling - Head Gasket Failed?

Post by **Rosey55** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:06 pm

Hi Guys,

I fear the worst, I went to check my radiator water yesterday and when I removed the cap a loud sucking sound was heard. Radiator level was low, topped it up and white foam appeared (oil??), running the engine at idle I have bubbles forming and the level drops away every 15secs in a pile of glycol bubbles.

Is this an obvious head gasket failure? Anything else I should check?

Engine has done 250K and has never given me any troubles in the 5yrs I've owned it. It has always run a little on the hot side, I don't recall an occasion when its overheated to the point of boiling radiator.

If it needs doing, is it pretty straight forward job? anyone recommend a place to get gasket and expected price?

Thanks

Post by **jtraf** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:50 pm

I did the head gasket on my MK a few years ago and the VRS kit cost me $300 trade......

If the radiator was low when you opened the cap and the beast has not overheated I would get a coolant system compression test to see if any heater or radiator lines are leaking. The bubbles may be due to the coolant being too low and now it has air in it....If the gasket has failed this will also bring it to your attention as the system will not hold pressure as well.

Things to wary of are

* once you pull the exhaust manifold off they are a bugger to get to seal again as they are a two piece unit....
*carefull pulling the turbo return line off

thats about it.

Post by **macca81** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:42 pm

sounds like its a head gasket... poor bugger

Post by **rut rat** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:56 pm

Same thing happened in the gq. Noticed it was getting a bit hot and when I checked the water it had that oil film on it. Checked the oil and it was white. Turned out it had 2 minor cracks and 1 major crack in the head. Cost me $1300 to fix. Thats me taking it off and putting it back on.

Post by **pongo** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:53 pm

my SWB used to boil the water out after 3 hrs running flat out on the hway.

Never gave me any trouble, Just used to top it up and have a leak my self.

Radiator was blocked to the hilt. Never had i looked at in the 2 yrs i owned it, but always was wary. Always had heaps of grunt and was run hot a few times, etc

Have it looked at before you strip her down

Post by **Rosey55** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:56 pm

just to close this one out for future people having to replace head gasket on the SD33T, I got quote for VRO (valve regrind??) kit, basically all top end gaskets required including head gasket from;

Repco: $430

a place on Beaudesert Rd (No. 670?) in Brisbane, $207

I wonder which one i'll be getting?

Post by **pongo** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:56 pm

Rosey55 wrote:just to close this one out for future people having to replace head gasket on the SD33T, I got quote for VRO (valve regrind??) kit, basically all top end gaskets required including head gasket from;

Repco: $430

a place on Beaudesert Rd (No. 670?) in Brisbane, $207

I wonder which one i'll be getting?

Buy a genuine one, Or at least make sure the 2 after markets are the same brand.

I bought a car that had a fresh rebuilt motor and had head gasket issues, They replaced it twice but then tried a genuine one and prob solved. Motor has run strong for 40k now no probs.

You do get what you pay for sometimes, and i think genuine was about $300

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SD33T Radiator bubbling - Head Gasket Failed?

SD33T Radiator bubbling - Head Gasket Failed?

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