How To Test A Blown Head Gasket (1994-2003 2.2L Chevy S10, GMC Sonoma)

You can perform four tests to determine if you've got a blown head gasket on your hands.

In this tutorial, I'll explain how to perform each one step by step.

With your test results, you'll quickly determine if the 2.2L engine in your Chevrolet S10 or GMC Sonoma has suffered a head gasket failure.

You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar El Empaque De La Cabeza (1994-2003 2.2L Chevrolet S10, GMC Sonoma) (at: autotecnico-online.com).

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

• 2.2L Chevrolet S10: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.
• 2.2L GMC Sonoma: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.
• 2.2L Isuzu Hombre: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.

Symptoms Of A Blown Head Gasket

A blown head gasket will usually cause one of the two following issues:

• An engine no-start.
• The engine starts but overheats immediately and for no apparent reason.

Here's a basic list of the symptoms you'll see when your 2.2L Chevrolet S10 pickup or GMC Sonoma suffers a head gasket failure:

• The engine overheats for no apparent reason. All engine cooling system components (like fan clutch/motor, water pump, etc.) are working fine.
• White smoke is coming out of the tail-pipe and it smells like anti-freeze being cooked.
• The engine won't start.
• The engine oil is thick and a milky white color.

TEST 1: Engine Oil The Color Of 'Coffee With Too Much Creamer'

Usually, the first test an automotive technician performs on an engine (to check for a blown head gasket) is to pull out the engine oil dipstick and check the color and condition of the oil sticking to it.

What he's looking for is if the engine oil is the color of coffee with too much creamer.

If the oil is the color of coffee with too much creamer, you can conclude that the head gasket is blown (all under 5 minutes).

So the first thing that we'll do is check the condition of the engine oil adhering to the engine oil level dipstick.

Let's get started:

1. 1

   Open the hood.

2. 2

   Pull out the engine oil dipstick.

3. 3

   Check the color of the oil (sticking to the engine oil dipstick).

4. 4

   You'll see one of two results:
   
   1.) The engine oil looks like coffee with too much creamer.
   
   2.) The engine oil is its usual normal color.

Alright, let's analyze your test result:

CASE 1: The engine oil has the color of coffee with too much creamer. This test result confirms the head gasket is blown on your 2.2L Chevy S10 (GMC Sonoma).

CASE 2: The color of the engine oil is normal. This is the correct and expected test result.

The next test is to see if the engine's compression pressures are escaping into the engine's cooling system (radiator). For this test go to: TEST 2: Coolant Shooting Out From Open Radiator.