Suspected blown head gasket.

1999 CHEVROLET LUMINA
165,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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PHILMITCHINSON1
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Bubbling in radiator water and loss of water suggests blown head gasket. How do I test which bank/cylinder is blown (3.8L Chev Lumina v6)?
Regards, Phil Mitchinson- New Zealander currently living in the UAE.
Jan 23, 2011 at 4:57 PM
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DOCHAGERTY
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You could pull the spark plugs and pressurize the cooling system to see which cylinders fill with coolant. I would tend to think that if one cylinder heads needed to come off, that the other might just as well come off to as insurance against having to do the job twice.
Jan 23, 2011 at 5:03 PM
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WRENCHTECH
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I don't know why it would matter. If the engine got hot enough to damage one side, there is likely damage to the other side too and it would be very foolish to only remove one head after going that far.
Jan 23, 2011 at 5:43 PM
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DOCHAGERTY
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As usual, my fellow moderator has made an excellant point and I couldn't agree more.
Jan 23, 2011 at 5:58 PM
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PHILMITCHINSON1
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Thanks for your advice guys.
Jan 24, 2011 at 2:35 AM
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DOCHAGERTY
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OK
Jan 24, 2011 at 2:40 AM