Another EGR thread

Im confused by your statement? What do you mean? Are you saying it can still be the head gasket even if no drops form?

 

So is my test good?

 

Ok so Ive added a ziptie and it seems to hold at 16PSI which is from what ive tead the test pressure. Ill just keep monitoring and add pressure as it drops.

 

Spark plug conditions for those curious. Left to right 1-4

 

This is looking more like an EGR problem and less a blown head gasket, unless the leak is only present under heat soak cycles.

 

Sorry I forgot to mention if removing the EGR cooler caused enough coolant to be removed to hinder the coolant pressure test?

 

I left it pressurized and started installing parts. New manifold is in, sensor was cleaned, new gaskets, EGR. I am not seeing a drop of anything in thise cylinders at 20 psi. I will leave it pressurized overnight, there will be some pressure loss at the coolant reservoir because I dont think the seal for the tester is on very well but i made adjustments to ensure it will not come off.

The spark plugs were pretty much done for, there are pictures of them. Ill install them when they come in the mail. Burp the cooling system. Pump and thermostat are being replaced. I just got the offer accepted on ebay for an OEM new pump $115 is a good deal. OEM thermostat as well. There is evidence that pump or thermostat (maybe both) is going to fail soon...no leaks but there appears to be some evidence of a leak a long time ago. Maybe . But its pretty decrepit looking and its only going to help prevent a head gasket failure.

My only concern next will be oil consumption, ill do a compression test in the coming days to rule out the piston rings. After reviewing the maintenance history reports i can see that early on its oil was changed every 5k ish. Then the next owner decided 10k oil changes were cool...