View Full Version : KA24E head gasket?? Need help!!!
Mishkin_707
03-27-2016, 07:51 PM
Ok guys and gals, been having an issue with overheating for a month, losing coolant but no leaks, checked my oil and it was really chocolate milky, drained it and there was 6 and a half quarts of fluid, I just did the oil change the month before.
It a 1989 SOHC, 5spd
Did the thermostat on it few weeks ago cause I lost a bunch of coolant so I was bleeding they system and the bottom radiator hose was cold to the touch and even after I did it on my way to work it overheated and again no coolant, so I parked it and haven't driven it since then, I took everything apart today and can't figure out where the head gasket is leaking from, when I pulled the head coolant was leaking out the head from where the 3rd-4th cylinder is at, I'm stumped guys
Here's a couple pics but I got video let me see if I can load it
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160328/4203bbf3a1c41f5d9a0ac75b16b1612d.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160328/c4b40d2f7ad5b6d08c1cff30e3c54537.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160328/32001af9b41deaf2c2578944f45b11aa.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160328/70e0717c45fd0f4bc65715d05c5c5809.jpg
https://vimeo.com/160561491
Thanks guys, hopefully you guys can give me some insight
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KAT-PWR
03-27-2016, 09:24 PM
It's a blown head gasket.... Replace it.
Check the head/cylinders for cracks....
Mishkin_707
03-27-2016, 09:38 PM
Cylinders look good, block has no visible cracks and head looks to be ok, taking it to work tomorrow and making sure it's not warped, the gasket didn't seem too bad so I'm hoping it is just the head gasket and it wasn't just the water pump leaking but yeah
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KAT-PWR
03-27-2016, 09:39 PM
If the water pump was leaking there would be coolant on the ground, not in your earl.
Kingtal0n
03-28-2016, 08:28 AM
good F'n job pulling it apart. A+ for enthusiasm there on such a vintage piece.
Spend 90% of your time cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, follow the FSM or use l33t skills, and hopefully it will come back together.
Mishkin_707
03-28-2016, 04:55 PM
Yeah, first time tearing a motor apart like that, also surprised that only one bolt broke but it was only for the exhaust manifold heat shield.
I'm the type of persons that has to finish what I started, started cleaning the head at work today, then maybe Wednesday I'll start cleaning the block, it wasn't anywhere near as hard as I thought it would be, but still stumped on what exactly was leaking the head is true, no cracks the gasket didn't look bad either, block seems to be good with no visible cracks
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KAT-PWR
03-29-2016, 11:43 AM
How did you verify the head?
Mishkin_707
03-29-2016, 06:57 PM
My buddy at work (I work at a shop) he does all the machine work there, he made sure everything was good
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KAT-PWR
03-29-2016, 07:04 PM
That is far from a valid assessment. I hope for your sake it wasn't a "hmm looks okay" type of deal.
This is why it is important to be hands on with every step. Do it right or do it twice.
Kingtal0n
03-29-2016, 08:10 PM
I am not in any way trying to discourage your actions.
However keep in mind before you start spending lots of $$ ( not that you would ) that a running DOHC KA engine can usually be purchased for around $350~
Mishkin_707
03-29-2016, 09:33 PM
Well, my buddy has been building heads and blocks for the past 20+ years, not to mention our shop specializes in this, so I think I would trust his machine work, also had it pressure tested, I mean if that's not a valid assessment
So far it has only cost me of couple hours of my time, parts wont cost me much either, but I know what your saying, at first I was looking for another KA but that proved to get me nowhere, so I started pricing the stuff/parts I would need and figured may as well try it, the most I'll lose out on is $100-$120 bucks
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Mishkin_707
04-16-2016, 09:03 PM
Ok guys finally got off my lazy ass, I decided to do timing chain and such, sourced the coolant/oil mix, timing chain was eating through the timing cover, I'll post pics of it in a bit
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Mishkin_707
04-17-2016, 10:54 AM
So here is what I'm working with, timing chain started eating through the timing cover and there is a fine line/crack where my coolant was going through the timing cover right behind the water pump, this is for The people that haven't changer their timing chain and guides this is what happens, my car has had the timing chain rattle ever since I bought it in 2001 surprised it lasted so long before any damage, if anyone is having cooling/oil issues pull your water pump first and have a look
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Mishkin_707
04-17-2016, 10:58 AM
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160417/038c07742cb78759c14b91e97b9d1648.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160417/5b458717e768fe8ffa43584abfce0cb0.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160417/ad2e850bdcb0feeb86c854f077866eb0.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160417/e6101024d11950c274882004788ca3f0.jpg
Sorry for the big pics, just want to show the damage from the timing chain on the timing cover, couldn't find any pictures online of what damage to look for so here it is, timing cover on a SOHC KA24E
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Mishkin_707
04-29-2016, 07:26 PM
Ok well incase anyone wants to know, I never found a new timing cover, ended up just having mine welded in those spots, I have since put my engine back together and she's running great, no more coolant/oil mix, the car runs a shit load better, I've had my car for 15 years and now it's weird to drive and idle and NOT hear the timing chain rattle, yeah it's a single cam, but it's my single cam
Here's a video of her running again
https://vimeo.com/164789205
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corkscrew
04-30-2016, 03:20 PM
Awesome dude glad it all went so well
Mishkin_707
04-30-2016, 07:37 PM
Thanks man, I dialed in my timing today and I never knew my car can actually spin my 18" eurolines don't even have to try like before
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zombiewolf513
04-30-2016, 08:24 PM
Sorry if I missed it, but did you replace the timing chain?
Mishkin_707
05-01-2016, 05:22 PM
Yep, I forgot to take pictures of the whole process, timing chain, tensioner and guides, cam sprocket and crank sprocket rebuilt the head to OEM
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