I got a block test kit that checks for engine gasses in the coolant. I tried several times and every time it failed.

So is this a disaster waiting to happen? It overheated a couple times since I’ve owned it but that was because a coolant line burst and the second time was because I didn’t get the air out of the coolant system after refilling. It stays at a steady 195 degrees and runs really well at 100k miles. The oil looks really clean, theres no loss of coolant that I can tell, and nothing else seems off. Exhaust might be a little white but I’m not sure if I’m just convincing myself that.

Time for new head gaskets? Or risk it and wait it out?

 

So how many miles and time since you had to add coolant or mess with anything coolant ??????

 

Maybe 5,000 or so

 

I'd say...if you are failing the coolant/gas test constantly...then you may want to get ahead of the issue and replace the head gaskets. What year Dll are we talking about? Do you know the previous history?

Brian.

 

Boy, that’s a tough decision. Have you tried pressure testing? Is it possible the coolant is just contaminated somehow? Maybe flush the cooling system really well, fill and retry after a bit?

 

Ok, so you have a leak. Depends on how much you need to depend on it. I had one that I knew had a small leak, run the coolant bottle cap cracked open 1/2 turn and it won't pressurize the cooling system and go a bit longer till you need to replace the gaskets. Is optimal? no Permanent damage? Imperceptible. Will it get worse? Without a doubt. However I drove mine like that daily for 6 months before it finally blew the gasket to the outside air and then I drove it another week, but they really go downhill fast at that point so you will definitely need HG. 240k after the last hg job and still trucking!