ivonr Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 thanks guys. i assumed it was alot pricier since everything else has been so expensive haha. HC test scheduled for tomorrow @ noon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Yea, its just a sniffer that they wave over the radiator with the engine running. Your helping to pay for the cost of the tester. The test takes a minute or so. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivonr Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 a reputable shop for subies around here suggested that if it IS a headgasket issue but it is only subtle enough to make bubbles with NO other symptoms, it would probably still pass the HC sniffer test. They suggest i try 2 new OEM radiator caps before going crazy your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I replaced both caps on my 05 in the Fall of 2012, just because they were that old. Less then $20 bucks... The bubbles are HC, if they are present while the car is running the sniffer will pick up the HC. We use different sniffers here at work while testing for O2 and H2 leaks. They will pick up a very small amount. Has the coolant system been properly burped ? Do you hear water flowing behind the dash board on start up ? 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivonr Posted February 5, 2015 Author Share Posted February 5, 2015 I replaced both caps on my 05 in the Fall of 2012, just because they were that old. Less then $20 bucks... The bubbles are HC, if they are present while the car is running the sniffer will pick up the HC. We use different sniffers here at work while testing for O2 and H2 leaks. They will pick up a very small amount. Has the coolant system been properly burped ? Do you hear water flowing behind the dash board on start up ? i do not hear water flowing behind the dash...what does that mean? the coolant should have been properly burped by the dealer upon radiator replacement, but once i saw the bubbles in the overflow tank i burped it myself for a good hour. although i didn't jack up the right side of the car, i saw no more bubbles surfacing @ the coolant tank by the turbo after that hour so i stopped burping it. i still see bubbles at idle, at operating temp... so i scheduled a HC sniffer test for next Wednesday at 12:30, i'll keep you guys posted. hopefully it isn't a headgasket issue. if it is, i have been quoted $2,500 from a dealer to fix it and he'll throw in timing belt/water pump while it's there. decent price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivonr Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 Interesting new development...the bubbles are gone! I've checked yesterday and today, with the car at idle , at operating temp. Even after driving it around and stomping the gas, still no bubbles afterwards. Oil is a good color, coolant is still darker than normal but satisfactory, and coolant level doesn't fluctuate more than it should w/ engine temp. I'm not going to speak too soon and say its fine but I'll keep my eye on it for a while and if I still show zero symptoms by Wednesday I'll cancel the HC test Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Good to hear. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivonr Posted February 7, 2015 Author Share Posted February 7, 2015 False alarm...ran the car hard and checked after and still has bubbles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivonr Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 Raced a VW R32 from a stop all the way to about 90mph. Not the best idea i know but hey, they wanted to race! Checked coolant level after and it was far above full, not overflowing but a good 3-4 inches above full. Parked the car for the night And checked again in the morning, before starting the car...still far above full Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivonr Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 put the HC sniffer in the coolant overflow tank and after a few revs, the HC's spiked from 10 to about 60 in a matter of seconds. according to the technician this confirms that something is wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTris Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Slow HG leak, then. Start saving your ducats, kiddo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivonr Posted February 12, 2015 Author Share Posted February 12, 2015 Thank you all for the advice, especially MrTris. Sucks that only 2 months in I have to blow so much $$. On the bright side, my tax return will absorb most of the cost. I am going to start a new thread since I have some critical questions at this point, and this thread has deviated far from a simple coolant leak (hope that is ok moderators) new thread: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/50k-orig-miles-and-head-gasket-issues-237210.html?p=5063779#post5063779 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTris Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 If it makes you feel any better, I got my blown HG diagnosis only six months in.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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