86 w/ 22re Overheating issues, head gasket???

[4playin]

Hello,
Here's the deal... Its been really cold for around here lately, it was about 8F degree's this morning. I have noticed that in the cold weather the last week or so that its been running a bit warmer, going about to red on the temp g. before dropping down to the half way mark. Anyhow, this morning I made it about ten miles or so and noticed a lack of power on a hill; down shifted, and realized my temp was pegged and then saw steam coming from under the hood where the blow off tank is. So I pulled it over and it died, tried to start it about 15 minutes later and it died again. So had it towed home, and noticed coolant leaking a little bit from the lower hose & tightened it up. Topped off coolant and started it up, and it just climbs for the red. Top hose going to Tstat is hot, Bottom hose going to water pump is cold. Radiator bubbles like mad with the truck running. No signs of head gasket damage: No white smoke, no mixing of fluids, pulled spark plugs and looked at the tops of the pistons to see if any were "steam cleaned" with coolant. Radiator is new, T-stat is new, water pump is new, all about a year and a half ago. Decided to pull the water pump on a whim, and its fine. Dunno where to go from here in the garage...
Any suggestions would be awesome,
Thanks:roadkill: :roadkill: :upset: :upset:

 

[n8buddy]

sounds like the thermostat is not opening. I had the same issue when i changed my radiator it would heat up/boil over but wasnt circulating. Not sure what fixed it but it eventually opened up on its own.

 

[fourwd1]

It does sound more like a cooling system problem, but check the oil to further confirm that, if it's milky it could be the HG.

Start with the t-stat and you can get the cooling system pressure tested, it will help locate other problems.

 

[4playin]

I bench tested the thermostat and it opens right up. Removed radiator and ran water through it (even though new) and goes right through. No oil in my coolant, or coolant in my oil. Clean exhaust (no smoke or steam). However, when I start it up with the radiator cap off, my coolant continues to bubble, which I can only figure to be head damage.?.?.?.?. Any other advice, suggestions, or idea's would be great. I know a fair amount about these engines and rigs, but my ears are ALL OPEN right now.
Thanks again!!!

 

[oneflat83]

take a look at the fan clutch. Ive had many problems with those over the years. You know how to check it right?

 

[4playin]

I think the fan clutch is good. When I was trying to diagnose the overheating, the fan was going pretty good, because when bubbles would come out of the radiator it was blowing the coolant in my face. After I took the fan and radiator out, I grabbed the pulley on the fan clutch and it was stiff, but wasn't to difficult to turn. Felt like it was hydraulically dampened.

 

[4playin]

Anyone know if it's possible for bubbles to make it into the radiator from another source other than the head?

 

[Windsor]

Anyone know if it's possible for bubbles to make it into the radiator from another source other than the head?

If you don't have white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, I'd guess it was the head gasket (considering the overheating problem).

Typically if you have a cracked head (usually between the valves), the piston draws water into the combustion chamber during the intake stroke.

 

[the_dingman]

Bubbles in the radiator would sound like a problem with the head gasket.

You might try running it without the thermostat in just to see if something might be wrong there. I've heard of them bench testing fine, but still not opening in the engine.

Are you getting low on coolant?

The question really is if the engine is overheating causing the coolant to leak, or if the coolant is getting low causing the engine to overheat. Start the engine with a full radiator and see if it overheats before it boils over. Then let it cool down and see if the coolant is low. If you've got a head gasket issue, it's burning it off and the level will be low. If it's not low, it's likely a cooling system problem.