exhaust gasses in cooling system question

[ruparts]

Hi,

  i have seen mention of a test for the cooling system to determine if it has ehhaust gasses getting into the water.   i have a vehicle that has a newly serviced radiator , hoses , water pump belts,180 thermostat, 2nd one actually, and still it will sit and idle till it boils out the fill like a guyser.  i'm thinking either the fan is not moving enough air across the radiator or a head gasket / cracked head.

  any advice on where i can get a test for the exhaust gas thing, is it a DIY thing or have to take it to someone?

  thanks for any opinions

[silverback]

If the radiator cap is left off, the coolant expands and will flow out the filler tube. It is a 13psi system and needs a good cap. How does it react with the radiator cap on?  Is there exhaust gas coming out of the expansion/overflow tank?

 

The least expensive tool that I have seen to pressurize a cooiling system was $65 at NAPA. That is an old price for the pump, then you have to buy an adapter for the radiator filler tube.

 

Subaru thermostats have huge pellets. The size of the pellet is everything. If you get that reaction with a 180 degree thermostat, I would throw it away.  Do you run 180's for Texas heat?

 

Figure out the power window relay under the seat?

[skishop69]

It is called a block check kit and you get it at NAPA. It comes with a device (tube) that you pour the block check fluid into. One end goes on the radiator fill neck and the other has a squeeze bulb. You squeeze it and it pulls air out of the cooling system into the tube and through the fluid. The fluid is blue. If it turns green to yellow, it indicates the presence of gaseous hydrocarbons in the cooling system. IE: Exhaust gas and blown head gasket or cracked head.

[MuddyThunder]

The most common thing that I have seen in pretty much anything from my Ford to a toyota to subarus is when you have exhaust fumes in your coolant it is 99% popped head gasket...one thing to check is with the motor off take a whiff of your radiator through the filler...if you have exhaust fumes in there you will smell it...if it doesn't smell like exhaust fumes your radiator is either 1) plugged up and not allowing it to flow properly 2) thermostat isn't doing its job 3)fans aren't displacing enough air to keep it cooled...I hope this helps...I know on my N/A subaru it used to always overheat untill I installed a second electric fan versus my clutch fan