How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (2.4L Honda CR-V)

TEST 4: Using A Chemical Block Tester (Combustion Leak Tester)

The one test that automotive repair shops use, to confirm a blown head gasket, is a block test (especially when TEST 1 and TEST 2 have failed to confirm the problem).

This test require that you run down to your local auto parts store and buy the block tester and the chemical it needs.

Once you have the block tester (and its blue liquid chemical), you can accurately confirm that the head gasket is blown and thus causing your Honda CR-V's 2.4L engine to overheat or completely rule it out as the problem.

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 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 result 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 have 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:

More 2.4L Honda CR-V Tutorials

You can find a complete list of tutorials here: Honda 2.4L Index Of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find there:

• How To Test The Ignition Coils (2002-2005 2.4L Honda CR-V).
• How To Test The TPS (2002-2004 2.4L Honda CR-V).
• How To Test Engine Compression (2002-2009 2.4L Honda CR-V).
• How To Test The MAP Sensor (2002-2004 2.4L Honda CR-V).