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TEST 4: Using A Chemical Block Tester (Combustion Leak Tester)
The previous three tests can easily confirm that the head gasket has suffered some sort of failure in most cases.
But in some hard-to-diagnose cases, the only way to confirm that the head gasket has blown is to do a block test with an engine combustion leak detector (commonly known as a block tester).
In a nutshell, this is how a block tester works:
- A blue liquid chemical, which is blue in color, is placed in the tester (see photo above).
- The tester assembly is then placed on the open radiator neck (you may have to drain some of the coolant in the radiator since this tool needs to 'gulp' some of the air inside the radiator).
- The engine is started.
- The rubber bellow is then squeezed to suck in the air up through the two fluid-filled chambers. As the air bubbles up through the fluid, it will cause a chemical reaction.
- If the blue chemical turns yellow (for gasoline engines), then combustion gases are entering the radiator. This confirms a blown head gasket, a cracked block, or a cracked cylinder head issue.
- If the blue chemical doesn't change color, then you can conclude that you don't a blown head gasket, a cracked block, or a cracked cylinder head issue.
Where can you get the chemical and block tester? At your local auto parts store or here:
20%$10.40
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
