Thread: 89RRC engine

Originally Posted by Big Dog

towed my 89 home due to all water being sent out the overflow like a volcano
possible head gasket due to crackling sound as water explods out
any ideas
repair or replace motor
and what with

Heads off, look for failed gaskets. If you didn't cook it totally the 3.5 usually survives a boiling event. Relatively cheap and worth a look.



Pic shows a failed gasket and a new one what went in, no probs.

Originally Posted by Big Dog

towed my 89 home due to all water being sent out the overflow like a volcano
possible head gasket due to crackling sound as water explods out
any ideas
repair or replace motor
and what with

G`day ,

Suggestions .

Could be a gasket but you need to find out why it has a lack of coolant and why it has air in it .

Gaskets won`t normally volcano the coolant by themselves but air in the system and hot spots are more likely to do it .

Put liquid in the radiator top undo the brass plug .

Start the engine and idle have enough liquid on hand to fill it , do it running because if it is a major gasket failure it could fill one of the end cylinders with liquid , check the tailpipe for a flow of liquid or thick steam , light steam only matters if it`s still there after a run .

Fill the cooling system and be sure all the air is bled out and start from there , i`d suggest .

If it volcanos almost straight away at idle or when shut down it has air in it , if it does it after warm and at revs and your sure it has no air in it , then a gasket maybe what it is . If it crackels and burps when you shut it down it has air and hot spots .

peter