Re: blown head gasket

["jtrealtywebspannet" <jtrealty@xxxx>]

Check the engine oil for signs of overheating and white foam which 
indicates water in the oil. Pull the oil fill and inspect the 
underside for water droplets. Remove the pressure cap on the header 
bottle and look for bubbles which indicates a combustion pressure leak 
into the cooling system. Look at the exterior of the motor for caked 
on oil, if there are any external oil leaks and the motor overheated 
the oil would have burned. Look at the cooling system hoses for any 
that were recently replaced which would hint at an overheat. In 
general the most common reason the head gaskets are blown is if the 
engine was overheated. Other tests are a combustion leak detecter 
test, compression test of each cylinder, PH test of the coolant, 
pressure test of the cooling system. Typical symptoms of a blown head 
gasket are coolant blowing out the overflow, rough running, low power, 
white smoke in the exhaust, water in the engine oil. The symptoms will 
vary depending on the extent of the damage. In extreme cases the 
engine will hydrostaticaly lock if enough coolant leaks into the 
combustion chambers. This does not need to be a deal-stopper, just 
make an offer taking into account the expense required to replace the 
head gaskets and associated work. Figure at least 10% more than 
estimated to be safe as there is always more to be done then you 
think.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757


--- In dmcnews@xxxx, "paulkane45" <paulkane45@xxxx> wrote:
> I'm looking at a Delorean here in MN and I have a suspicion that it 
> has a blown head gasket. Does anyone here have a quick way i can 
> check on a D without bringing it to a mechanic?
> 
> just wondering
> josh