Head gasket problem...need ideas please
#1
Head gasket problem...need ideas please
Replaced the head on my 94 with a rebuilt head from a shop in Texas. I used an oem mls gasket and arp studs. The head and block are both flat. I torqued the nuts in four stages to 65 ft lbs with arp assembly lube.I used a quality torque wrench. When I fired it up I had water smoke and drops coming out of the tailpipe. I though it was some condensation but it ran for 30 minutes and never stopped dripping and the smoke changed to oil smoke as well. After a few warmup cycles it never quit so I yanked the head again. I didn't see anything obvious with the gasket. I am confused...btw..the head was replaced because of a stripped spark plug hole, not because of any mechanical issues.HELP?
#2
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MLS gaskets are finnicky bitches. If you had a single drop of coolant or water on either the block or head surface, it will leak like a sieve. Been there, done that.
Clean it all up, replace the gasket, and try again. Remember that the mantra for engine assembly is "Cleanliness before Godliness."
Clean it all up, replace the gasket, and try again. Remember that the mantra for engine assembly is "Cleanliness before Godliness."
#7
I'm not disagreeing with what has been said, but it is hard to believe that just starting it up [and not even driving it] for 30 mins of mostly idling would cause the rather severe leaking you are describing from a little contamination installing, and from your post it sounds like it was instantly, not even waiting to warm up to operating temp. I don't know about the 94 but a 99 you can install the gasket flopped 180* and some holes line up but the water passages are not correct. Either that or the wrong head gskt was sold to you.
Another possibility is you got a cracked cyl. head?? Don't mean to disagreewith anyone just throwing out food for thought.
Another possibility is you got a cracked cyl. head?? Don't mean to disagreewith anyone just throwing out food for thought.
#8
I'm not disagreeing with what has been said, but it is hard to believe that just starting it up [and not even driving it] for 30 mins of mostly idling would cause the rather severe leaking you are describing from a little contamination installing, and from your post it sounds like it was instantly, not even waiting to warm up to operating temp. I don't know about the 94 but a 99 you can install the gasket flopped 180* and some holes line up but the water passages are not correct. Either that or the wrong head gskt was sold to you.
Another possibility is you got a cracked cyl. head?? Don't mean to disagreewith anyone just throwing out food for thought.
Another possibility is you got a cracked cyl. head?? Don't mean to disagreewith anyone just throwing out food for thought.
#9
I can't imagine a head gskt leaking enough to wet all 4 pistons within 30 mins of idoling. I agree a cracked head shouldn't either, infact I can't imagine what would be causing all 4 pistons to be wet other then leaving the head gskt off or you didn't clean the block or head at all which I doubt, so I give up. Good luck. Post what you find out fixes it someday, I'm really curious. Thanks
#10
I remember the first time I started up my car after removing the cat, it would spit water out of the tailpipe enough to leave moisture droplets on the ground.
The first time I rebuilt it, it did the same thing. I just finished my 2nd rebuild with what is now basically a fresh engine and it still does it. I have never used a drop of coolant and it runs great.
As long as compression is good and it doesn't use coolant, I would just drive it. I think it's just condensation building up within the exhuast system.
The first time I rebuilt it, it did the same thing. I just finished my 2nd rebuild with what is now basically a fresh engine and it still does it. I have never used a drop of coolant and it runs great.
As long as compression is good and it doesn't use coolant, I would just drive it. I think it's just condensation building up within the exhuast system.
#12
BugShield, I posted this for you to look at
https://www.miataturbo.net/showthrea...042#post851042
If the head gasket surface looks like the surface in the first pic, your MLS gasket will have little to no chance of sealing properly.
It should look like the last pic in the linked thread, nice and shiney.
Belt surfacers are not the best peice of equipment to use to surface a head.
When you pull the head again, post a pic of the surface finish.
https://www.miataturbo.net/showthrea...042#post851042
If the head gasket surface looks like the surface in the first pic, your MLS gasket will have little to no chance of sealing properly.
It should look like the last pic in the linked thread, nice and shiney.
Belt surfacers are not the best peice of equipment to use to surface a head.
When you pull the head again, post a pic of the surface finish.
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