79 Spider 2000 Head Gasket?

[barnesjtsl]

I have been losing a little coolant every few days (maybe 10 ounces). I don't see any leaks anywhere on any hoses or around the water pump (even the infamous heater tube connection).

This morning after driving the car 30 miles I looked into the overflow tank and saw some periodic bubbling. Bubbles would appear (maybe 5 or 6 of them) for a second. Then maybe 2 seconds later the same exact thing. The cycle repeated continualy.

My sense of smell is not the best, but when I put my nose up to the overlow tank opening I swear I smelled fumes.

Any other thing I should before changing the headgasket?

Thanks,

John B

[124JOE]

yes that sounds like a head gasket is in order

[jsab]

You might try to re-torque the head also before replacing the gasket.

[So Cal Mark]

any signs of coolant on the bottom of the oil cap? Does the car misfire for a few moments when first started in the morning?

[barnesjtsl]

Haven't looked at the bottom of the oil cap, but it does run on 3 cylinders for a little bit (maybe a minute) when starte cold.

[vandor]

You can run a compression check, a leak-down test, and a cooling system pressure test to check on head gasket integrity.

[rlux4]

I had an experience with air being sucked in at the heater tube to water pump mount and this would displace coolant. The air and coolant bubbled out of the overflow tank. It wouldn't hurt to check around the suction side of your water pump.
BTW, I found this after I changed the head gasket needlessly.
Ron

[131]

Haven't looked at the bottom of the oil cap, but it does run on 3 cylinders for a little bit (maybe a minute) when starte cold.

A good sign of a wet plug. Pull the plugs and crank it over to see if you get water out the plug hole.

[Sunracer]

Haven't looked at the bottom of the oil cap, but it does run on 3 cylinders for a little bit (maybe a minute) when starte cold.

A good sign of a wet plug. Pull the plugs and crank it over to see if you get water out the plug hole.

Yep check the plug before starting or after you have driven it for a while is one plug really clean looking? It will have been steam cleaned by the coolant. Depending which cylinder it is if you can look down each of them with the piston at TDC while you look, one piston will be clean or light looking and the others will have the usual carbon crust on them.

[barnesjtsl]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will try them before replacing the headgasket.

One more question. If I wanted to retorque the head bolts should I do it after the car is warmed up or when it is cold?

Thanks,

barnesjtsl

[131]

If I wanted to retorque the head bolts should I do it after the car is warmed up or when it is cold?

Cold!