89 Problem

[Z71-cummins]

I have an 1989 silverado with the 5.7. Its been having a overheating problem for the past month or so and ive had multiple things done to correct this problem. 1st i had the intake manifold gasket replaced 400$. The problem was still there so they replaced the radiator hosing 70$. I took it to a different repair shop and they said it was the a/c condensor and water pump causing my problem and that would cost 1000$. Passed on that. Each time they have replaced lost coolant. Today my truck started to smoke. I asked a couple of buddies of mine and they told me it was the Head gasket and that would be expensive if done at a shop so im in a predicament. Do i take my truck to another shop and find what is going on now with my truck or should i let my friends replace the head gasket. I really need help on this one so please help me this is killing me and my beloved truck.

[Wingnut]

White smoke in the exhaust is normally indicative of a cracked head gasket.

[Z71-cummins]

so how should i go about fixing that i know i shouldnt drive it but is my truck still salvagable. (please say yes)

[95Sierra2500]

IF it's the head gasket (and you'll know over time because your coolant will get low), then yes it's salvagable. Almost every repair is. Head gaskets are relatively cheap, in fact an entire gasket set is less than $50 last I checked, and that's for good gaskets. Labor (if done elsewhere) can be REALLY expensive as you have to disassemble the entire top half of the engine, but if you have the tools, time, and a spare car, it's not too bad of a job.

[Z71-cummins]

but how do u check if your heads r ok or what not. ive never had to repair head gaskets before or actually hardly anything else to be quite honest. i know all about the engine i just dont know how to fix the things that break esp the head gasket

[Nice rig]

I've heard of alot of folks who go ahead and have the heads machined while they have them off, to guarantee a nice flush fit. Overheating can lead to warped heads and just replacing the gasket without machining the heads in that case is just a futile effort...and can get costly with repeated teardowns of the top end.

[jhm]

Check the oil dipstick for coolant leaking in. If you see a fluid other than oil, the head gasket is gone. I have always taken the heads to have them ground to ensure flatness. Good time to look at the valves as well. If you don't have tools, manual, other transportation or are unsure about doing the job, take it to someone reputable. Those places you went before, I would not go back.

[TEE]

Definitely have the heads fuzzed if there was any chance of excessive heat.

I'd have em' done anyway to be safe.

Also make sure there's no issues whatsoever with the cooling system while your having them done.

It's not hard...just time consuming.

[87crew4x4]

I should apologize upfront, "Sorry for my input here"

 

BUT, An 89 with a blown head gasket probably also has well over 150k miles on it , I know my 87 does, what I am trying to say is If you are going for the heads at that age you should probably be thinking of a purcasing a rebuilt long block for somewhere around $1000 and getting the whole new engine. If your buddies are capable you can have the thing done in a weekend. Good Luck

[87crew4x4]

Whew-hew just got upgraded from Newbie to an Enthusiast.

[billcar9999]

You should be able to find it with a compression check. Depending on where the gasket failed, you may not get water in the oil. I'd bet your plugs would be wet though. Check it after it cooled down a little. As the cooling system depressurizes, coolant would leak into the cylinder.

 

It's also possible that the guy who did your intake didn't get the gaskets right or the bolts came loose.

 

I used to work for a guy that would hook up an air hose to each cylinder and look for air bubbles in the radiator. These were older cars but it worked. It has to be warm or take the thermistat out.

[GM-Tech]

You could let the cooling system build pressure (if it even will), shut the engine off, pull the plugs and let it sit overnight. Have someone crank it next morning while you watch to see which cylinder pumps out moisture.

 

Napa (maybe others) sells a product called "Block check" which I swear by. It comes with this blue liquid and a device that looks something like a turkey baster, only bigger in diameter. You get the engine hot and then use the baster to suck some of the air out of the radiator. The air is bubbled up through the liquid. If there are any combustion gases in the cooling system, which there always is with a head/gasket problem, the royal blue liquid turns green. If it's really bad it'll go all the way to yellow. We use this with any overheat condition in our shop, just to make sure there's been no head damage. Works 100%. Used to be about 35 bucks but I haven't bought the whole kit in quite a while.

[Z71-cummins]

my folks told me to leave it alone till we can find a solution and i dont know how to do anything for the engine i just know about parts but i remember sumone sayin my truck should have around 150k or more miles which it doesnt it just has surprisingly 84k miles on it.

[GM-Tech]

You can't have a solution until you know precisely what the problem is. Guessing can be very expensive.

[Shav0]

Pressure test the rad and it will tell you if there is a leak or not. Also, check the compression in each cylinder. Another thing you can do is check your oil. Water is heavier then oil and will settle at the base of the oil pan. Crack the drain plug just enough to start a drip, and if theres water in the oil it will be the first thing to come out. hope this helps

 

shav