Does this head gasket look bad?

[Ants]

Hi,

Just running up a 3.0L 4cyl mercruiser for a project boat I am working on, so first time I have had it running, and the new oil emulsified

Removed exhaust manifold and tested it by blocking outlet and attaching a garden hose to pressure water in, it didnt seem to leak, so pulled head off and saw this:

http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss297/aquaaddict-pics/

Cylinder on far right (next to water channels, ah ha), has 1/2" of water in. I note that there are signs of carbon deposits between every cylinder, as well as between the suspect cylinder and the water channel. Am I right in thinking if the gasket was doing its job there should be no trace of carbon whatsoever outside the cylinders? I am presuming if the carbon can get out and mark the area to the water channel, then conversly water can also get in.

Is it likley that just old age (engine is late 70s) has caused it to not seal properley anymore, or is it more likley to be warped etc thats caused it?

I did compression test, other 3 were around 110, the one I now know to have water in was 120, so I guess the water was helping the compression.

I see there is rust in the head of the cylinder that leaks compared to the other 3, so I guess the engine started to take on water, and so was abandoned (till muggins here took it on...) with water in that cylinder causing the head to corrode more (I should have been a detective ).

The whole project is not worth much and has cost me enough already, so I cant justify having a machine shop test for cracks / skim / rebuild etc.

Do you think I am on the right lines with the old leaky head gasket theory, or is that wishful thinking? Do you think just put a new gasket in and hope for the best?

Many thanks!

Anthony

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Does this head gasket look bad?

Hi,

Do you think just put a new gasket in and hope for the best?

Only in ones dreams! Junk it or give it away if you don't want ot spend the money. I just can't see wasting your time for wishfull thinking. That thing either has a cracked or warped head.

 

[Starppy]

Re: Does this head gasket look bad?

I'd take the head to an automotive machine shop. Have them check to see if it's warped. having it planed usually isn't too expensive.....if that truly is the problem. They can also clean it and check for cracks. The inspection shouldn't be too bad cost-wise and then you'll know.

If the head's bad or needs planing you can evaluate then. If the head's good, then you have bigger problems and that might be where you want to draw the line.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Does this head gasket look bad?

Might be time for a new block, I see some welding repairs between cylinders 2 & 3 and the head gasket looks blown out across all the bores.You can have the head checked for any warping .

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Does this head gasket look bad?

In my opinion, I would take the head down and have it checked for flatness. At the same time clean the block up CLEAN and run a flat edge across all surfaces at all angles. I'm pretty sure theres at least a Little head warpage at that end. Have them clean it up (trued) Throw on a new head gasket, properly torqued to the upper end of the range and run with it, Youll be into it for just over a new gasket. Blocks rarely warp but heads will. The biggest problem with a block is metal loss where a blow out has occured. I dont see it in the pics.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Does this head gasket look bad?

Is it likley that just old age (engine is late 70s) has caused it to not seal properley anymore, or is it more likley to be warped etc thats caused it?

could be warped from the heat of the arc welding repair of a freeze crack someone did on the block there

 

[Ants]

Re: Does this head gasket look bad?

could be warped from the heat of the arc welding repair of a freeze crack someone did on the block there

Interesting idea, would that be likly to warp the block or the head (I had no idea when it was done, or if the head was removed etc, I didn't even know it was there till I removed the manifold).

I didnt realise head skimming was so affordable, having checked it out it sounds like it might be an option, i presume its a different story if the block is not true?

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, I am torn between junking it and throwing more money at having the head checked / skimmed....

Anthony

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Does this head gasket look bad?

Ants had almost the same issue w/ my 3.0lx not as excessive but still I just had the head rebuilt and a new gasket block deck was within .0005 between cylinders and within specs everywhere else. My block also developed a pin hole between #2&#3 which I had welded and has never leaked has run great since then knock wood!!! but I did notice that the bead between #2 & #3 is pretty big to have covered a pin hole leak if your lanning on going the head rebuild route I have the same shop check the block deck or do it your self with a 1,2,3 block (precission parralel) and some feller gauges. best of luck

 

[td8]

Re: Does this head gasket look bad?

Clean the head an block surfaces up and lay a straight edge across the head and block surface and that will tell you if they are warped.

 

[mkast]

Re: Does this head gasket look bad?

A cylinder head or block is "MILLED" .
Milk is "skimming".
Wood is "planed", or a pregnancy.
Just didn't want you to walk into a machine shop without the correct terminology.