Possible leaking H***g****t. Need tried and true block tester.

Having my first problems with the notorious 05 head gasket. Overheated the other day, low coolant, filled on the road and drove home. Today I was burping the system when the bubbles kept coming and the dark realization of what the problem is sank in. I want to test coolant but I’ve seen mixed reviews on the block testers. Which work? Any advice helps

 

I’ve found that it depends less on the actual tester, more on the quality of the liquid used to check for combustion gasses. I had good luck with the BT-700 tester off Amazon. Purchased it when I couldn’t find my old (no idea what brand) unit.

Works great. Of course, my old one turned up to be right where I left it after the new one showed up.

 

I think a block tester is the best method, what shaeff says makes sense regarding the quality of test fluid. Draining the motor oil to check for milky oil is another way. I’ve heard others say to look at the piston tops, see if any look steam cleaned from coolant leaking in. Others say to use a leak down tester, then watch for bubbles coming up in the radiator. When I had one go out, I was getting temp needle sorta bouncing all over and bubbling reservoir. Sure enough, upon disassembly the gasket was chewed. Iron block and aluminum head, dissimilar metals expanding and contracting at different rates.

 

Another good way to check is give the coolant a smell. If you're getting combustion gasses in there, you'll know.

 

SUCCESS WITH THE BLUE DEVIL!!(for now) Can’t believe it works! Thought I was wasting 70 bucks and 6 hours taking all the steps. Will keep updates on how long it lasts!

First pic: Before treatment, while engine ran got constant never ending bubbles.
(I know it requires pink fluid, I just bought the truck a few months ago I didn’t put it in)

Second pic: after treatment, Zero bubbles while running, might look like bubbles but it was just a whirlpool. Couldn’t figure out how to upload videos.

 

gnarly....i have an issue like this but the bubbles are a lot less and only happens after I drive the heck out of the truck and get the load up on the engine. wht is the blue devil supposed to do? how does it stop the leak?

 

So the chemical is liquid glass and when it gets really hot, from the exhaust gas leaking, it hardens and clogs the leak.

11 minutes into the video he’ll show a demonstration.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q3_kDiQb7lE

 

glad it worked. how many miles on the truck when it went?

 

I spoke too soon, bubbles came back the next drive. And somewhere around 180k. The odometer broke two years ago so I dont know how many miles are on it. I think I’m gunna try one more gasket sealer before I commit to dig into the engine and replace the gasket.