It never ENDS!!!

bkathsalero · 08-31-2009, 09:50 AM

So was driving on my way to work this morning, cruise on 85 when all of a sudden I started bogging again, pull over and there are no external leaks. SHIT! this means one thing, head gasket, with most likely cracked rear head cause that is a common problem on the la1 3400. SOOOOO, Like always when I replace something its time to mod it. So I'm thinking of just a ligt port and polish as to not spend alot after my rebuild. I have some extra heads I'll send in to get finished and checked, then port and polish at home. I was wondering would a how to on cylinder head r&r be needed?

[ion] C2 · 08-31-2009, 09:52 AM

You determined you had a blown head gasket just by that?

cherrington17 · 08-31-2009, 09:59 AM

check wot-tech.com

bkathsalero · 08-31-2009, 10:00 AM

I know its a blown head gasket due to the loss of coolant and no external leaks, and furthered this knowledge with a diagnostic check

its a rear head.. PITA car I tell ya

bkathsalero · 08-31-2009, 10:01 AM

wot-tech is like 700 for their lowest modified set, I can do the same thing for $300

Nate's Alero · 08-31-2009, 10:56 AM

huh, no blowing of mega white smoke?

bkathsalero · 08-31-2009, 11:44 AM

It's not blowing coolant THAT bad yet, it's just a little, to the point where it's pressurizing my coolant system making an air pocket

And the whole white smoke can be missleading. as on alot of cars now days the cad will turn the coolant into a vapor and no white smoke will be present

08-31-2009, 11:45 AM

Out of curiosity, how was the ECT? I've not heard of a problem with heads cracking, but the LIM gasket is a well-known and documented issue, so maybe coolant leaked into the crankcase and nuked your bearings.....it would explain the coolant loss. How's the oil look? If it's a milky sludge, I think I'd look at the LIM gasket.

bkathsalero · 08-31-2009, 12:05 PM

/\/\Oil is perfect. IT is not the lower intake as that was just repaired in the rebuild not even 100 miles ago. I appreciate your guys help, But this is 100% confirmed as a cylinder head, I am a mechanic and had the other 3 techs look over this with me. Its a common problem with high mileage 3.4, or in my case driven hard. But thanks again. Just curious how anybody else would make a mod out of this with a cheap budget, and if a how to would be usefull to anyone "with pics"

wrestlingandrunning · 08-31-2009, 01:07 PM

hey i feel your pain already started tearing about my motor because we have a head gasket leak and possible cracked head, also have lifter tick. Already spent $300 in parts and probable another $200 soon.

Nate's Alero · 08-31-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkathsalero

It's not blowing coolant THAT bad yet, it's just a little, to the point where it's pressurizing my coolant system making an air pocket

And the whole white smoke can be missleading. as on alot of cars now days the cad will turn the coolant into a vapor and no white smoke will be present

when mine went, it blew SMOKE... i mean SMOKEEEE

WhiteV6 · 08-31-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkathsalero

wot-tech is like 700 for their lowest modified set, I can do the same thing for $300

The same thing? So you port heads for a living and have done a lot of flowbench work on these heads?

bkathsalero · 08-31-2009, 01:51 PM

Personally I havn't but co worker does it as a side business, will do it for a few beers at his house.

jackal2000 · 08-31-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkathsalero

Personally I havn't but co worker does it as a side business, will do it for a few beers at his house.

i don't think you are picking up what ben is laying down. he has probably spent more time doing r&d on these engines than the engineers at gm who built them.

Bad99Olds · 08-31-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackal2000

i don't think you are picking up what ben is laying down. he has probably spent more time doing r&d on these engines than the engineers at gm who built them.

Ding ding ding.

bkathsalero · 08-31-2009, 02:27 PM

I respect that yes. But dont have 700 to throw down right now, when it's a repair that needs to be done and have a resource who can have it done in my time frame. I respect wot-tech,they make good parts, but when funds are low you have to find different resources. I have confidence In my co-worker to do a damn good job as he has a business like I said: Boring, port and polish and Lowerblock builds with a list of other things. SO its either $20 bucks or $700

And I'll make this promise: If he messes it up,or I'mnot happy with the work, I will punch the beer out of his belly and send them into wot-tech

heineck · 08-31-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate's Alero

when mine went, it blew SMOKE... i mean SMOKEEEE

same thing here

bkathsalero · 08-31-2009, 03:12 PM

you probably had a fatally blown hg, like my ga se had, the one on my alero isn't that far yet, it's just showing it's first signs. I'm catching it before the fatal point

WhiteV6 · 08-31-2009, 03:56 PM

The local machine shop does port work too, but when they want it done for performance, they have me do it. Lots of people want it cheap, and for that, they have someone else there that will do it no problem. Just don't call it the exact same thing

Nate's Alero · 08-31-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkathsalero

you probably had a fatally blown hg, like my ga se had, the one on my alero isn't that far yet, it's just showing it's first signs. I'm catching it before the fatal point

no, mine was only slightly leaking, i drove it 30 miles like that, and still had coolant in the overflow