'95 854T Combustion gas leak detectors

Post by **alschnertz** » 16 Jul 2015, 03:33

I want to check for a bad head gasket on my '95 854T.
I came across these two on Amazon and am leaning towards the Lisle one but have never used one before. They all look very basic, so why not go with the less costly one?

Kind of stinks that this is probably one of those tools that I'll buy but only use once.

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-75500-Co...on+leak+tester

https://www.amazon.com/UVIEW-560000-C...+leak+detector

Can anyone recommend one or the other?
Thanks

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jul 2015, 05:35

Mostly usually borrow it from Advance Auto or AZ rather than buying it, iirc.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Jul 2015, 07:53

As Steve said, you can "rent" them from the chain parts stores. You need to buy the fluid but that is only $7.00 or $8.00 a bottle as I recall.

...Lee

Post by **FLXC90** » 16 Jul 2015, 13:49

I bought one from NAPA, If over, I would "rent" from parts store. But the basic question, why first? Losing coolant? Funny noise? Loss in power?

My POS70 with 227 on the odo (228ish though-Intermittent ABS box, soon Matty Moo) was losing coolant, previous owner thought it was HG, really heater core and a crack under the upper hose nipple on radiator. Block test did give me peace of mind. And since these cars will pass compression tests all day long with leaking head gasket, this is a tool I will use to evaluate other cheap Volvo's (the kind I'll be looking for) in the future.

Post by **alschnertz** » 16 Jul 2015, 14:26

This is a 244,000 mile car. It does go through some coolant - maybe a 1/2 pint or so every 1,000 miles.
I notice that the expansion tank sometimes has coolant on it - from overflow.
And the exhaust has a distinctive odor. Not oil, but more of a coolant smell. Maybe it's my imagination, but it is something.

Anyway, I have to do the valve seals soon and am thinking that this would be the time to do the head gasket as well - if needed. However, if I'm not getting combustion gasses in the coolant, I won't do the head gasket.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jul 2015, 14:35

Isn't the expansion tank supposed to be about 1/2 full on these cars at all times?

Post by **erikv11** » 16 Jul 2015, 14:49

Just keep in mind that there are three chambers (combustion, cooling/coolant, and lubrication/oil), and leaks can be in one direction or both, and include any two or all three compartments.

In other words, the engine may be burning coolant without any combustion gases getting into the coolant, if the leak only goes one way. That's rare but possible.

Post by **alschnertz** » 16 Jul 2015, 15:07

Regarding renting a detector, I guess it would be less costly, but probably not a huge difference.
My local AZ or Advance Auto is about 24 miles round trip, so that's 2 trips and about 2 gallons of gas - say $6 plus $8 for the bottle of "stuff" + 2 hours of running around etc. etc. For the extra 20 bucks, I'll probably just buy the tool. Hey, maybe I'll rent it to you guys! I'd consider it.

erikv11: Yes, I realize that this is not a 100% test of the head gasket, but I figure it could be a good indicator. And since I'll have most of it apart, it would be the time to do it.

Post by **FLXC90** » 16 Jul 2015, 15:32

Is there any other indication of coolant loss from the tank i.e.-spray pattern in engine compartment from cap being bypassed? Or a coolant trail down the tank under the upper radiator hose?

I guess with good PCV maintenance, and proactive valve seal change, the lower cylinder head could remain in place. On the one hand, if it ain't broke... But on the other hand, you're almost there anyway.

Do the gas test, maybe a cylinder leak down test, or the pressurize and listen test described often in the forum.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 16 Jul 2015, 17:13

alschnertz wrote:Yes, I realize that this is not a 100% test of the head gasket, but I figure it could be a good indicator.

If it comes back positive is is fairly certain that the gasket has blown, if it comes back negative then it may or may not have a bad head gasket.

...Lee