hodge Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 im doing some work on another members car and it has a suspected head gasket issue causing overheating. Could someone explain how to do a sniff test. Im under the impression you add something to the coolant and it changes colour If it comes into contact with exhaust gassess. Many thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew_flux Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 A sniff test also known as a tk test,co test,block tester works by sampling the air in the cooling system at the radiator filler,when combustion gas is present it causes the testing fluid in the tester to change colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Or you can use an MOT type emissions tester to check for hydrocarbons in the air above the rad water level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 A sniff test also known as a tk test,co test,block tester works by sampling the air in the cooling system at the radiator filler,when combustion gas is present it causes the testing fluid in the tester to change colour. What sort of testing fluid and how can it be done. could you do me a how too or something please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 You need to buy a tester, and the fluid. Snap On and Sykes Pickavant both sell them. A friendly local garage would do the test for a tenner, I'm sure, or an MOT place might have a sniff with their analyser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 thats great thanks alot chris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 A freebie for you If the head's warped and you skim it you'll probably have trouble. Measure the cam shaft bearing saddles for straightness with an engineering straight edge. People forget the cams are ground straight and hate running in journals that are banana shaped over the (considerable) length of the straight six head. They'll either break, or wear themselves and their bearing housings in the head, very badly. Line boring cam caps is going to cost more than a new head, let alone a straight used one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 What sort of testing fluid and how can it be done. could you do me a how too or something please. They're sometimes known as a "Block Tester". I got mine off ebay. http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=universal+block+tester&_sacat=See-All-Categories Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 A freebie for you If the head's warped and you skim it you'll probably have trouble. Measure the cam shaft bearing saddles for straightness with an engineering straight edge. People forget the cams are ground straight and hate running in journals that are banana shaped over the (considerable) length of the straight six head. They'll either break, or wear themselves and their bearing housings in the head, very badly. Line boring cam caps is going to cost more than a new head, let alone a straight used one. I'm always apreciative of freebees matey LOL. Cheers for that if it is the head gasket I'll look into it. They're sometimes known as a "Block Tester". I got mine off ebay. http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=universal+block+tester&_sacat=See-All-Categories Now that's what I'm talking about matey cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest drlee Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Do as they do,smell it yourself,if you smell fuel in the coolant,shes shot,if not,look elsewhere,i may get shot for this.But if we were on the roadside,what is the first thing one of you guys would do.I appologise if yet again im being outspoken.d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNIVERSAL-BLOCK-TESTER-KIT-FOR-GASKETS-CYLINDER-HEADS_W0QQitemZ130318873929QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment?hash=item1e579c3549&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1689%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50 Fluid turns pink = head gasket gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hodge Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 i ordered 1 of there this morning lets hope i ts not the head gasket n i just end up changing the water pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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