Does This Look Like It Fits The Slow Coolant Leak Tsb - Castech Head I

rfraboni · January 31, 2011

I was wondering if these pictures look like the head(s) in question fit the TSB : Slow Coolant Leak withou evidence.

I had taken the truck to the dealer to help locate a leak and they were not able to do so, after 5 hours of pressure testing etc.

Drivers Side Head Pictures

Castech Mark

See spot in drain hole

See Clean areas on the head

Valve Covers

Also the plug under the drainhole with a shiny spot was coated with a film of oil when it was pulled, sorry no pictures of that.

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Rich

ChevyTech77 · January 31, 2011

Looks like it. I'd pull the heads and have them checked for cracks.

txab · January 31, 2011

Looks like it. I'd pull the heads and have them checked for cracks.

+1

rdnkcpa · January 31, 2011

That's what mine looked like. I had mine pressure tested and they were trash. Sorry for the bad news.

rfraboni · January 31, 2011

I have to admit I was a little frustrated when all the dealer did to look for the leak was to put the pressure tester on. If that was all they were going to do, and look under the truck, I would have done that myself.

I can honestly say that with my skills I was able to disassemble and reassemble the valves covers and all in under an hour, I would think the 100 dollar diagnostic fee would have coverred that, or pulled the plugs to check for signs on them.

So in simple terms it sounds like the heads are going to need to be replaced. Does anyone have any suggestions about what heads to replace with, should I get new GM or reman? After Market?

Thank you,

Rich

ChevyTech77 · January 31, 2011

I would use the new GM castings, if you can afford it but I have used A/M reman heads without issue also.

rfraboni · January 31, 2011

Do you know if GM makes a complete head (casting, valves, springs, keepers) already assembled or do I need to price out all of the individual parts and assemble them myself? Do the new castings need any machining for the valve installation.

just castings and valves were pretty pricey at parts direct. using the picture catalog.

Anyone know the parts that are needed from GM for the change over, with GM part numbers?

Thank you,

Rich

rdnkcpa · January 31, 2011

I have to admit I was a little frustrated when all the dealer did to look for the leak was to put the pressure tester on. If that was all they were going to do, and look under the truck, I would have done that myself.

I can honestly say that with my skills I was able to disassemble and reassemble the valves covers and all in under an hour, I would think the 100 dollar diagnostic fee would have coverred that, or pulled the plugs to check for signs on them.

So in simple terms it sounds like the heads are going to need to be replaced. Does anyone have any suggestions about what heads to replace with, should I get new GM or reman? After Market?

Thank you,

Rich

You have some options. There is a regular poster here that has purchased used heads off of Ebay for around $125.00/head with good luck. There are several online cylinder head remanufacturers. They cost anywhere from around $350.00 on up. They are well aware of the the Castech problem. I did some research on the source of the castings that the remanufactures are using and a fair amount of the castings come from China. I'm not saying Made in China is bad, but I'm not sold on the quality yet.

The route I chose to take is a little more expensive. I used a local reputable machine shop and ordered new bare heads (cast in Canada), had the valves reground to spec, and trasferred the springs. Pressure testing of the old heads, new bare heads, valves reground, springs tested and replaced, new seals and guides, 16 new lifters, valve grind kit(all gaskets included), and all new head bolts: $1,375.00.

What also you should factor in: New spark plugs, wires, upper & lower radiator hoses, hose clamps, oil, oil filter, antifreeze, exhaust manifold bolts, serpentine belt. I'm also replacing the water pump while everything is apart. The truck has 117k on it, water pump repair is coming soon anyway.