Any tests to do for a bliwn head basket

[hondarookie]

I have a 82 goldwing. Is there any tests you can do to test for a blown head gasket? I don't have any signs of oil in my water and no signs of water on my plugs.

[cbx4evr]

Why do you think you may have a blown head gasket??


One method is to do a combustion leak test. Google is your friend for info on that.

[Coder]

There are many things that can go wrong with a bike other than a blown head gasket, most of which are a lot more expensive to repair ...

Why do you think you may have a blown head gasket??

The head gasket is a seal between the engine body and cylinder head. It has openings which allow coolant, oil and of course the cylinders to pass through. A leak in the gasket will typically show up as loss of compression in two cylinders, oil in the coolant, coolant in the oil, or oil, coolant or both in the exhaust. In extreme cases, it may cause severe overheating due to compressed gases preventing the coolant from circulating, or an engine seizure since the compressed gases prevent the oil from circulating properly. In any event, it is not a thing to be ignored since it will contribute to considerable engine damage if not rectified quickly.

The first thing to do is check the coolant for traces of oil, easily seen floating on the top in the header tank. Conversely, check the oil for signs of water contamination, which with most oils will turn the oil milky (not sure about synthetic oil on this one). Lastly, do a compression test on all 4 cylinders (or 6, depending on model) and post the results back here, we'll take it from there

[hondarookie]

I'll do the compression tests today and post the results. Thank you. There doesn't seem to be any oil contamination of the oil and I don't see any signs of water on the plugs, but I do have alot of backfiring on the right side and a significant loss of power.

[bthacker]

You are on the right track with the compression test and also a leakdown test that someone else suggested previously. What makes you think you have a blown head gasket? The things you have already looked at, water in oil, oil in water, oil or water on plugs or in exhaust are usually the best indicators to start with to make one think that you have a blown head gasket and you have already ruled them out. One thing you can look at is to remove the radiator cap and look for bubbles, most times when a headgasket leaks it will leak into the cooling system because the cooling jackets suround the cylinders and is the closest place for air to go. Another test to preform is a cooling system pressure test. If it leaks down and it is a blown head gasket leaking into the cylinder it will push coolant into that cylinder or into the oil if that side is leaking.
A leak down test involves a adjustable pressure regulator with a gauge on the regulated side and another on the input side to the cylinder and bringing the cylinder under test to TDC. It is not that hard but you need special equipment. I have seen people just bring the cylinder up to TDC and apply about 60psi of air to the cylinder and just listen for air hissing from intake and exhaust looking for Leakey valves, looking for bubbles coming from the radiator if their is a leak into the cooling system and hissing coming from the crank case if leaking into crankcase. But usually but not always a blown head gasket will leak into the cooling system.

[virgilmobile]

I'll do the compression tests today and post the results. Thank you. There doesn't seem to be any oil contamination of the oil and I don't see any signs of water on the plugs, but I do have alot of backfiring on the right side and a significant loss of power.

Is it backfiring in the exhaust or the carb plenum?