There are a number of tests that can confirm a leaking cylinder head gasket. The easiest is to have your mechanic perform a chemical test at the radiator. That involves drawing air from the radiator, while the engine is running, through a glass cylinder with two chambers partially-filled with a special dark blue liquid. If combustion gases are present, the liquid will turn bright yellow.
Another easy test is to add a small bottle of dark purple dye to the coolant, then check later with a black light. The dye will show up as a bright yellow stain. If a head gasket is leaking, you will find the dye inside the tail pipe. You can find the dye at any auto parts store. Those that rent or borrow tools should have a black light.
A third test is the cylinder leakage test. This is a lot more involved, and requires a special tester and compressed air. Air is pumped into each cylinder, one at a time, when the piston is at top dead center on the compression stroke. The percent leakage is displayed on the tester, but more importantly, you can look in four places for the cause of excessive leakage. If the head gasket is leaking, you will find a stream of tiny bubbles in the radiator.
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Saturday, October 7th, 2017 AT 6:29 PM
