Thread: Head gasket test

Is there a test that can be done the would give me a definitive answer on whether or not I have a leak/blown head gasket?

I have a 02 GTP that recently overheated. That was due to one of the elbow joints completely blowing out while driving (no where to be found)
After replacing them I am now having to add about 2-3 cups of coolant a week and since the car overheated my MPG has dropped 6-8. I added a dye kit to see if I could find a leak anywhere but nothing. My oil level is staying consistent.

So I want to either rule out or know for sure if it is the head gasket.

Thanks

Kurt

You did properly bleed the cooling system after replacing the elbows, right? If not, then I'd suggest doing that and then go from there. These engines are sensitive to air pockets and can often show low on coolant if there is a bunch of air in the system still. Even if overheated these motors rarely eat HG's.

And if you do pull the heads then you need to get new head bolts as the stock ones are TTY and NOT reuseable.

If you have bleed the system of air properly then I'd follow what PaulieDoggs said and check for exhaust gasses in the coolant.

I am sure the system was bled properly. Thanks for the suggestions. I never heard about the block testing kit. I'll pick one up and see what happens. Like I said I just want to know one way or another if it is a head gasket. That's a pretty big job for "well let's try it and see what happens".