Combustion Leak test - head gasket test

[mkfdar]

On a 1999 300m -Finally successfully diagnosed combustion gas leaking past my head gasket into coolant causing overheating. Used the Napa Block Test kit for $50. Many posts say go to your neighborhood garage and get them to use an exaust analyzer - dont know what that would cost.

My Napa Store did not know anything about this test kit and could not find it on their computer so here is a site and part number you can show them http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/head_gasket_or_combustion_leak_test.htm part number700-1006.

Be sure to drain a few inches of coolant before installing this thing on your radiator (or pressure bottle) opening. . Keep watching the tube as the car warms up and gases go through. If you have combustion gas, the fluid in the tube turns yellow.

Now, about that head gasket...

 

[Bill Putney]

On a 1999 300m -Finally successfully diagnosed combustion gas leaking past my head gasket into coolant causing overheating. Used the Napa Block Test kit for $50. Many posts say go to your neighborhood garage and get them to use an exaust analyzer - dont know what that would cost.

My Napa Store did not know anything about this test kit and could not find it on their computer so here is a site and part number you can show them http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/head_gasket_or_combustion_leak_test.htm part number700-1006.

Be sure to drain a few inches of coolant before installing this thing on your radiator (or pressure bottle) opening. . Keep watching the tube as the car warms up and gases go through. If you have combustion gas, the fluid in the tube turns yellow.

Now, about that head gasket...

Three or four years ago, I read on a Subaru forum the account of someone who had experimentally but successfully used a CO2 detecting pill (sold for detecting leaking house furnaces) to detect combustion gases getting into the cooling system. Not a proven accurate method - I'd probably use what you did if the need arose - just food for thought.

Bill Putney
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